Rhode Island CLE Requirements for Attorneys

Attorneys who have been admitted for more than the current reporting year and the next full reporting year are considered Experienced and are subject to the MCLE requirements.

Rhode Island attorneys are required to complete 10 CLE credits, including at least 2 Ethics credits, each reporting year.

New!  Beginning July 1, 2025, all Rhode Island attorneys will be required to take 1 credit in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in addition to the current requirements. This additional credit type requirement will not increase the overall CLE hour requirements.

Rhode Island attorneys can fulfill their MCLE requirements by taking courses that have been approved and accredited by the MCLE Commission. Examples of course formats include:

• Video Replay CLE: (Maximum 6 credits per reporting year)
  • On Demand Video or Audio
• Live CLE:
  • Webcast
  • Teleseminar
  • Webinar
  • In-Person Classroom CLE
• In-House CLE (Maximum 5 credits per reporting year)

Attorneys can complete 6 credits of On Demand CLE credits on Lawline, and 4 credits of Live CLE via our Live Webcasts. Our Rhode Island courses can be found here. 

Yes! Attorneys in Rhode Island can earn credit for the following types of activities:

• Teaching CLE or Semester/Trimester Courses. Attorneys in Rhode Island can earn up to 6 teaching credits per reporting year. Teaching Credits are calculated based upon what an RI attorney teaches.
  • Teaching an approved MCLE activity. Credit earned is calculated based upon the number of presenters:
    • One presenter = 3x total minutes, divided by 50 and rounded down to nearest half credit  (ex. 60x3 = 180/50 = 3.6 rounded down to 3.5 Teaching Credits)
    • Multiple presenters = 2x total minutes, divided by 50 and rounded down to nearest half credit (ex. 60x2 = 120/50 = 2.4 rounded down to 2 Teaching Credits)
  • Teaching a semester/trimester course to non-attorneys or non-legal degree-seeking students earns 6 Teaching Credits
  • Teaching a semester/trimester course to attorneys or legal degree-seeking students earns 6 Teaching Credits plus 4 General Credits.
  • Note: Presenters cannot earn Ethics credit for teaching. If they’re teaching an Ethics course they’ll receive teaching credit based on the above calculations but will not earn Ethics. 
• Legal Research and Writing. Up to 5 CLE credits per reporting year can be earned by publishing a work of legal research, as long as the piece is an article, chapter, monograph, or book that was personally written by the attorney, either in whole or in part, and contributes substantially to the legal education of the author and other attorneys.
• Taking a Postgraduate Course at an ABA-Accredited Law School. RI attorneys earn 1 CLE credit for every 50 minutes attended.

• Acting as a Judge, Facilitator or Trainer in a Moot or Mock Trial Competition or Seminar. RI attorneys earn 1 CLE credit (max 1 credit per reporting year).

Rhode Island Attorneys must complete their required CLE credits on or before June 30th each year.

Yes! Attorneys may carry over up to 10 excess credits into the next reporting cycle.  

MCLE Commission 
John E. Fogarty Judicial Annex 
24 Weybosset Street, 3rd Floor 
Providence, RI 02903 
(401) 222-4942       
cle@ribar.com 
https://www.courts.ri.gov/AttorneyResources/mcle/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.ribar.com/For%20Attorneys/lawyerwellness.aspx

https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SuperiorCourt/PDF/FAQ.pdf

https://www.ribar.com/Continuing%20Legal%20Education/IntroductiontoPractice.aspx

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