Best Online CLE – VERMONT CLE REQUIREMENTS – EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS 

Who is considered an Experienced Attorney in Vermont? 

Experienced Attorneys are those admitted to practice in Vermont for more than two years.  

 

What are the VT CLE Requirements for Experienced Attorneys? 

Experienced Attorneys in Vermont must complete at least 20 hours of approved CLE credits, including at least 2 Ethics credits, every 2 years. 

 

How can Experienced Attorneys in VT fulfill their CLE Requirements? 

Experienced Attorneys in Vermont can complete their CLE requirements by taking continuing legal education courses that have been approved and accredited by the Vermont Judiciary. Courses can be completed in a number of formats, including: 

Live 

Self-Study (Maximum 10 per reporting period) 

 

Are there other ways Experienced Attorneys in VT can earn CLE credit? 

Yes! Attorneys in Vermont can receive continuing legal education credit for the following activities: 

  • Writing. Attorneys in Vermont can earn CLE credit for non-paid scholarly writing and publication. Credits are awarded as follows: 
  • 1,000 Published Words – 2.5 CLE credits 
  • 3,000 Published Words – 5 CLE credits 
  • Earned hours may be prorated among multiple authors. 
  • Teaching.  CLE credit may be earned by teaching in accredited courses, except in instances where teaching is part of the attorney’s regular job, such as full-time instruction at a law school or college. Credit is awarded at a rate of 1 CLE credit per 60 minutes of instruction, plus an additional 1 credit per 60 minutes of preparation time. One hour of actual preparation time will be allowed for each actual hour of approved teaching, up to a maximum of 5 hours of preparation time. 
  • Up to 2 CLE credits may be earned per reporting period by presenting to non-lawyers formal education and/or informational programs that are designed to broaden public knowledge and understanding of the law and/or increase public support and respect for the legal system. 
  • Attorneys cannot receive CLE credit for any teaching activity in which they are financially compensated, other than for out-of-pocket expenses. 

Experienced Attorneys in Vermont can also receive CLE credit for the following activities (maximum 10 credits per reporting period total): 

  • Service as Acting Judge. Attorneys can receive up to 3 CLE credits per reporting period for their service as an acting judge. 
  • Reviewing Small Claims Cases in Superior Court. Attorneys can receive up to 3 CLE credits per reporting period for reviewing small claims cases in Superior Court. However, attorneys cannot claim 3 credits for this and an additional 3 credits for Service as Acting Judge for the same activity. 
  • Service as Judge at Moot Court. Attorneys can receive up to 2 CLE credits per reporting period. 
  • Volunteer Committee Work. Attorneys who volunteer with approved committees can receive up to 2 CLE credits per reporting period. Attorneys who act as members and associate members of the Board of Bar Examiners will receive up to 10 CLE credits for work on behalf of the Board. 
  • Service as Mentor in the Mentorship Program for Newly Admitted Attorneys. Experienced Attorneys who act as mentors in the Newly Admitted Attorney mentorship program can receive up to 5 CLE credits per reporting period.  

 

What is the deadline for Experienced Attorneys in VT to complete their CLE credits? 

Attorneys in Vermont must complete their CLE requirements every 2 years by June 30th. The year an attorney is due to complete all CLE credit requirements depends on their year of admission. For instance, an attorney admitted in 2017 would begin their first compliance period on their date of admission and would be due to complete their requirement on June 30th, 2019. Thereafter, the attorney would be due to complete their CLE requirements every 2 years on June 30th.  

 

Can Experienced Attorneys in VT carry over CLE credits from one cycle to another? 

No, attorneys in Vermont cannot carry over excess credits into the next compliance period. 

 

How many credits can VT attorneys complete on CLE Companion? 

Attorneys can complete all 20 credits on CLE Companion through a combination of Live Webcasts and On-Demand courses. Attorneys are limited to 10 credits per cycle taken via On Demand. Our Vermont State Compliance Bundle can be found here. 

CLE Companion is an accredited provider for Vermont. 

 

Can VT attorneys self-apply for course approval? 

Vermont attorneys can self-apply for course accreditation by filling out the form below: 

Vermont Self Application Form 

VERMONT CLE REQUIREMENTS – NEWLY ADMITTED ATTORNEYS 

Who is considered a VT Newly Admitted Attorney? 

Newly Admitted Attorneys in Vermont are those who are still within their first 2-year compliance period.  

 

What are the VT CLE Requirements for Newly Admitted Attorneys? 

All attorneys in Vermont must complete 20 CLE credits, including 2 ethics, every 2 years. As part of this requirement, Newly Admitted Attorneys must complete at least 15 CLE credits on Vermont practice and procedure in courses approved by the Board of Continuing Legal Education and certified by the Board of Bar Examiners. 

Newly Admitted Attorneys who were admitted by Bar Exam or Transferred UBE Score must also complete a 40-hour Mentorship Program. 

 

How can VT Newly Admitted Attorneys complete their CLE Requirements? 

In general, CLE courses can be completed in a number of formats, including: 

Live 

Self-Study (Maximum 10 per reporting period) 

For the Newly Admitted requirement of 15 credits on Vermont practice and procedure, at least 6 credits must be earned in live programs. The Vermont Judiciary has a list of programs that are approved to satisfy the Newly Admitted requirement.  

 

Are there other ways for Newly Admitted Attorneys in VT to earn CLE credit? 

Yes! Attorneys in Vermont can receive continuing legal education credit for the following activities: 

  • Writing. Attorneys in Vermont can earn CLE credit for non-paid scholarly writing and publication. Credits are awarded as follows: 
  • 1,000 Published Words – 2.5 CLE credits 
  • 3,000 Published Words – 5 CLE credits 
  • Earned hours may be prorated among multiple authors. 
  • Teaching.  CLE credit may be earned by teaching in accredited courses, except in instances where teaching is part of the attorney’s regular job, such as full-time instruction at a law school or college. Credit is awarded at a rate of 1 CLE credit per 60 minutes of instruction, plus an additional 1 credit per 60 minutes of preparation time. One hour of actual preparation time will be allowed for each actual hour of approved teaching, up to a maximum of 5 hours of preparation time. 
  • Up to 2 CLE credits may be earned per reporting period by presenting to non-lawyers formal education and/or informational programs that are designed to broaden public knowledge and understanding of the law and/or increase public support and respect for the legal system. 
  • Attorneys cannot receive CLE credit for any teaching activity in which they are financially compensated, other than for out-of-pocket expenses. 

Attorneys in Vermont can also receive CLE credit for the following activities (maximum 10 credits per reporting period total): 

  • Service as Acting Judge. Attorneys can receive up to 3 CLE credits per reporting period for their service as an acting judge.  
  • Reviewing Small Claims Cases in Superior Court. Attorneys can receive up to 3 CLE credits per reporting period for reviewing small claims cases in Superior Court. However, attorneys cannot claim 3 credits for this and an additional 3 credits for Service as Acting Judge for the same activity.  
  • Service as Judge at Moot Court. Attorneys can receive up to 2 CLE credits per reporting period. 
  • Volunteer Committee Work. Attorneys who volunteer with approved committees can receive up to 2 CLE credits per reporting period. Attorneys who act as members and associate members of the Board of Bar Examiners will receive up to 10 CLE credits for work on behalf of the Board. 

 

What is the deadline for VT Newly Admitted Attorneys to complete their CLE credits? 

Attorneys in Vermont must complete their CLE requirements every 2 years by June 30th. The year an attorney is due to complete all CLE credit requirements depends on their year of admission. For instance, an attorney admitted in 2017 would begin their first compliance period on their date of admission and would be due to complete their requirement on June 30th, 2019. 

For Newly Admitted Attorneys who were admitted without the Bar Examination, the 15 Vermont-specific credit requirements must be completed within one year of admission. For those who were admitted by Bar Exam or by Transferred UBE Score, the 15 credits can be completed up to 6 months before sitting for the Bar Exam and no later than 1 year after admission. 

The 40-hour Mentorship Program must also be completed within 1 year of admission. 

 

Can Newly Admitted Attorneys in VT carry over CLE credits from one cycle to another? 

No, attorneys in Vermont cannot carry over credits into the next compliance period.  

VERMONT CLE REQUIREMENTS – COMPLIANCE & REPORTING 

How do VT attorneys certify compliance? 

Attorneys in Vermont are required to submit a compliance form attesting to the total hours of CLE credits that the attorney earned during their reporting period. This form will be sent each year to all attorneys due to report that period and is also available on the Vermont Judiciary website. For more instructions on how to report your attendance, please see attached instructions below:

Vermont CLE Companion Reporting Instructions

What is the deadline for VT attorneys to certify compliance? 

Vermont attorneys must certify compliance with the CLE rules by July 1st following the end of their reporting period. Newly Admitted Attorneys must certify that they have completed the Newly Admitted Attorney requirements within 1 year of admission to practice in Vermont. 

ADDITIONAL CLE RESOURCES FOR VERMONT ATTORNEYS 

State Contact Info 

MCLE Board  
111 State Street, Suite 9B  
Montpelier, VT 05609-0702  
802-828-3281  
jud-attylicensing@state.vt.us
https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/
 

Courses for the VT Newly Admitted Requirement 

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/Approve_CLE_Courses_for_New_Admittees.pdf 

Vermont Judiciary Website 

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/attorneys/mandatory-continuing-legal-education 

Newly Admitted Attorney Compliance Form 

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/900-00005_0.pdf 

List of Accredited Sponsors in Vermont 

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/Accredited%20Sponsors.pdf