Virginia CLE Requirements for Attorneys

Experienced attorneys are all attorneys admitted to the Virginia bar that are not considered to be newly-admitted members to the bar.

Virginia attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours (including at least two (2) in Ethics or Professionalism) every year. The remaining 10 credit hours may be in any other CLE credit category.

Attorneys can complete all twelve credits, including the 4 live, on Lawline. Our Virginia course catalog can be found here.

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their VA CLE Requirements by attending CLE classes in a format that has been approved and accredited by the CLE Board.  Some approved formats are:

• Pre-recorded CLE courses (Maximum of 8): A program where a live presentation has been recorded and presented via electronic media and does not include live, simultaneous interaction with the presenter

  • On Demand Online Courses

  • Videotape

  • DVD

  • CD-ROM

  • Audiotape

  • Pre-recorded telephone seminars or webcasts

• Live CLE Courses (Minimum of 4): A program that includes simultaneous, live interaction with the presenter.

  • Live interactive webcast courses
    

  • In-person courses

Yes! Experienced attorneys can receive credit for:

• Speaking or teaching an accredited CLE program. Attorneys earn one (1) CLE credits for each 60 minutes of presentation. Attorneys may earn up to four (4) hours additional credit for preparation time.

• Attending law classes.  Attorneys may earn credit for attending law classes other than for the purpose of preparing for admission to practice law. 

Experienced attorneys must complete their CLE requirement by October 31 each year.

Yes! Attorneys can carry over up to 12 excess CLE credits annually.  Of these, two (2) may be in Ethics or Professionalism.

Attorneys can self apply for course accreditation by filling out the form below:

Virginia Self Application Form 

Attorneys can complete all 12 credits on Lawline through a combination of Live Webcasts and On Demand courses. Our Virginia course catalog can be found here.

Virginia attorneys must certify compliance either electronically as instructed on the MCLE attendance reporting site of the Virginia State Bar's website, or, if for any reason the attorney is unable to do so, by forwarding a copy of the Certification of Attendance or Certification of Teaching to the Board.

Experienced attorneys must certify that they have completed their CLE requirement for that reporting cycle no later than December 15 by 4:45 pm EST following the compliance deadline.