Navigating North Carolina Continuing Legal Education Requirements
As attorneys, we understand the importance of staying current with legal trends, ethics, and developments in our practice areas. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) plays a vital role in ensuring that we provide the best possible service to our clients and uphold the standards of our profession. Beginning in 2024, the North Carolina State Bar will roll out new requirements that affect the reporting period for CLE and the topics covered. This article provides a comprehensive overview of North Carolina's CLE requirements, including recent changes and essential information for compliance.
Core CLE Requirements
Experienced attorneys can fulfill their North Carolina CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the North Carolina State Bar Board of CLE.
Credit Calculation
Attorneys receive 1 hour of CLE credit for every 60 minutes of instruction delivered.
Reporting Period
The reporting period is 2 years and ends on the last day of February. Attorneys who were admitted during an even year report in even years, attorneys admitted in odd years report in odd years.
Annual CLE Fee
North Carolina now charges a flat $25 annual CLE fee. All active members of the State Bar are required to pay a $25 annual attendance fee during the membership renewal process.
Read also: North Carolina Basketball Greats
2024 Transition to a Two-Year Reporting Period
Starting in 2024, the NC State Bar will transition to a two-year reporting period, replacing the annual reporting period. The total number of hours required has not changed.
Staggered Reporting Period for Transition
To facilitate the transition to the new rules effective March 1, 2024, a staggered reporting period has been established. Lawyers admitted in North Carolina with an odd year of admittance (e.g. 2023) will have a one-time, one year/12-hour requirement.
Required CLE Hours and Topics
Of the required hours, specific topics must be covered:
- Four hours must be in professional responsibility or professionalism or any combination thereof.
- One technology hour.
- One professional well-being hour (formerly substance abuse/mental health awareness training).
Carryover Credits
North Carolina attorneys may carry over 12.00 CLE credits to the next calendar year. Lawyers are permitted to carry over up to 12 hours of CLE from one reporting period to the next. Hours will carry over as total hours only. Any carryover is reported as “general” or “total” hours only. You cannot carry over a Profession Responsibility, Technology, or Lawyer Well-being credit.
Professionalism for New Attorneys Program
Are you newly admitted to the North Carolina State Bar? Newly admitted attorneys in North Carolina must complete a 12.00 hour Professionalism for New Attorneys Program in their first reporting period. North Carolina requires all newly licensed attorneys to complete the Professionalism for New Attorneys (PNA) program. Newly admitted attorneys in North Carolina must complete the Professionalism for New Attorneys Program in their first reporting period to meet NC CLE requirements.
Read also: NOCCCD: Your Guide
Exemption from PNA Requirement
If you were licensed in another state for 5 or more years at the time you were admitted to the North Carolina State Bar, you are exempt from this requirement. If you were licensed in another state for 5 or more years at the time you were admitted to the NC State Bar, you are exempt from the requirement; however, you must notify the State Bar of the exemption in the first annual report form sent to you by the CLE department (that you must complete and return to the CLE department).
PNA Course Format
Professionalism for New Attorneys courses may be taken via live webcast, but they may not be taken online (via the Internet) on demand.
Additional Considerations
CLE Credit for Courses Taken After Graduation
CLE credits earned after graduation from law school may be carried over to the next reporting period.
Out-of-State CLE Credits
Yes, in most cases. Each state has different rules and regulations governing CLE.
Course Approval
Please use our course search function to see if the class has been approved in North Carolina.
Read also: Academic Pathways at UNC
Reporting Period Start Date
The 12-month CLE year begins March 1. Reporting periods end on the last day of February.
Applying for CLE Credit
Complete a Bar Member’s Application for CLE Credit. The application can only be submitted after the course has been completed. Attach all requested documentation and return the completed packet to the CLE Department.
Exemptions
Exemptions are claimed when you pay your membership dues each year. To be exempt from the mandatory dues, a lawyer must change his or her State Bar membership status to inactive. For special circumstances exemptions you must attach a letter explaining the reasons you are requesting the exemption and provide any supporting documentation you feel would be helpful.
Contact Information
Address: North Carolina Bar, P.O.
tags: #north #carolina #continuing #legal #education #requirements
