New York CLE Requirements for Attorneys

Experienced attorneys are attorneys admitted to the New York bar for more than two years.

Experienced New York attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours, including at least 4 in Ethics & Professionalism credits, at least 1 in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias and at least 1 credit in Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection, every two years.

Note* Cybersecurity Ethics credits can count towards 3 Ethics credits.

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

• CLE Online courses (Webcasts, Webinars, On Demand Video or Audio courses, etc.)

• CLE Video Conferences

• CLE Classes in a Live Traditional Classroom

Experienced Attorneys can complete all 24 CLE credits with Lawline by taking courses via Live Webcasts or On Demand. The full New York course catalog can be found here. 

Yes! Experienced attorneys can receive credit for:

• Speaking or teaching an accredited CLE program. Attorneys earn 3 CLE credits for each 50 minutes of presentation. No additional credit for preparation time.

• Moderation or panel participation at an accredited CLE activity. Attorneys earn 3 credits for each 50 minutes of panel participation. Attorneys earn 1 credit for each 50 minutes of moderation. No additional credit for preparation time.

• Teaching law courses at an ABA-accredited law school.

• Preparing students for and judging law competitions, mock trials and moot court arguments (including high schools or colleges). Attorneys earn 1 credit for each 50 minutes of participation in a law competition. Participation in a high school or college level law competition, credit is limited to 3 CLE credits during a two-year reporting cycle. Attorneys may earn a max of 6 CLE credits, in one reporting cycle, for participation in a law school competition.

• Published legal research-based writing. Attorneys earn 1 credit for each 50 minutes spent researching and writing a legal research-based publication. Attorneys are limited to 12 publication credits during any one reporting cycle.

• Providing pro bono legal services. Attorneys may earn 1 CLE credit for every two 60-minute hours (120 minutes) of pro bono legal service performed. Attorneys are limited to 10 pro bono credits per reporting cycle.

Experienced attorneys must complete their CLE requirement within 30 days after their birthday. To check your deadline and registration information, click here!

Yes! Attorneys can carry over up to six (6) excess CLE credits, in any category of credit, into their next biennial reporting cycle.

New York is a self-reporting system. All attorneys must certify that they have completed their CLE requirement for that reporting cycle at the time of their biennial registration.  Certificates of attendance, and/or other compliance documentation must be retained by the attorney for at least four years from the date of the course or program, in case of audit. Online registration can be found here.