What are the SC MCLE Requirements for attorneys?

South Carolina attorneys are required to complete 14 hours of MCLE each year, including at least 2 hours of Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility (LEPR). Once every two years, attorneys must also complete at least 1 hour of MCLE dedicated to substance abuse or mental health issues and the legal profession. Attorneys who are newly admitted to practice in South Carolina are exempt from these requirements in the year in which they are licensed.

How can attorneys in SC fulfill their MCLE Requirements?

South Carolina attorneys can fulfill their MCLE requirements by attending Continuing Legal Education activities that have been approved and accredited by the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. Attorneys may complete courses in the following formats: Alternatively Delivered Formats (maximum of 8 per annual reporting cycle): On Demand Video CLE Telephone CLE seminars Webcasts Live Seminars Traditional classroom CLE seminars In-house CLE classes (limited to 50% of earned credits for a reporting year) Video replays of live courses Satellite broadcasts

Are there other ways attorneys in SC can earn MCLE credit?

Yes! South Carolina attorneys can earn MCLE credit for: Teaching. Attorneys may earn 3 credits for every 1 hour of teaching an approved MCLE activity, as long as the attorney prepares at least 5 pages of written materials. Otherwise, attorneys earn 1.5 times the number of MCLE credits taught. Legal Writing. If an attorney publishes a piece of legal writing that is at least 2,000 words and concerns substantive or procedural law, then the Commission may grant MCLE credit.

What is the deadline for attorneys in SC to complete their MCLE credits?

The annual compliance year is March 1st through February 28th (29th in leap years). Attorneys in South Carolina must complete their CLE requirement each year on or before the last day in February.

Can attorneys in SC carry over MCLE credits from one cycle to another?

Yes! Attorneys in South Carolina may carry forward MCLE credits earned in excess of the minimum, including LEPR credits, into the next calendar year. Attorneys are limited to 14 total carryover MCLE credits, and a maximum of 2 carryover LEPR credits. Substance Abuse/Mental Health credits and Alternative Delivery Format cannot be carried over to the next reporting cycle.

How many credits can SC attorneys complete on Lawline?

Attorneys can complete up to eight credits on Lawline. Our South Carolina course catalog can be found here.

Can South Carolina attorneys self-apply for course approval?

Yes, South Carolina attorneys can self-apply for course approval using this form.

How do attorneys report their CLE attendance hours?

Sponsors of South Carolina CLE programs submit attendance lists to the Commission. Lawline will automatically report your completion of this course after you claim credit to South Carolina. We report weekly on Tuesdays. Please ensure that your bar number is filled out and correct in your profile and allow up to 5 business for your credits to be processed by the State Bar. Attorneys can also self-report by emailing or mailing their certificate of attendance to the Commission.

How do SC attorneys certify compliance?

After an attorney completes all of the required MCLE and LERP credits for a given compliance year, the attorney must file the annual report of compliance with the Commission on CLE & Specialization and pay all appropriate fees. These compliance reports are mailed directly to attorneys in January.

What is the deadline for attorneys in SC to certify compliance?

The deadline to file the annual report of compliance is March 1st each year.

South Carolina CLE Requirements for Attorneys

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South Carolina

South Carolina CLE Requirements At A Glance

Total Credits: 14 credit hours per year

At least 2 in Ethics
At least 1 in Substance Abuse every two years (taken in place of a General credit)

CLE Deadline: February 28th (February 29th on leap years)

Carry Over Credit: Attorneys may carry over 14 credits, of which up to 2 can be Ethics, into the next reporting period. Substance Abuse credits and Alternative Delivery Format cannot be carried over.

Reporting: South Carolina Compliance Report Deadline is March 1st. Lawline reports credits for South Carolina.

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South Carolina CLE Requirements

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South Carolina CLE Requirements - Compliance & Reporting

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