For New York attorneys, fulfilling Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements is a familiar, non-negotiable part of maintaining your license to practice. Yet, every two years, it can feel like a scramble to ensure you've checked all the right boxes. The rules around the biennial period, specific credit types, and reporting can be complex and time-consuming to track down.

This guide eliminates the confusion. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about your New York CLE obligations into simple, actionable steps, so you can stay compliant with confidence and ease.

The New York Biennial Requirement: How It Works

New York operates on a biennial compliance period, which simply means you have 24 months (two years) to complete your CLE requirements.

Your specific deadline is not based on the calendar year. Instead, your CLE compliance period ends 30 days after your birthday in your designated attorney registration year. This personalized deadline makes it critical to track your own cycle to avoid any last-minute issues.

Total CLE Credit Hours Required: The Core Numbers

For each biennial cycle, experienced New York attorneys must complete 24 total credit hours.

This requirement is further broken down into two categories: specialty credits and general practice credits. While the total number is the most important figure, understanding the specific types of credits you need is essential for compliance.

Breakdown of Required Specialty Credits

Of your 24 total credits, a minimum of 6 must be in the following specific categories:

  • Ethics and Professionalism: At least 4 credit hours are required in this category.

  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias: At least 1 credit hour is required.

  • Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Data Protection: At least 1 credit hour is required.

The remaining 18 credit hours can be completed in any category of law or practice relevant to your professional development, which are often referred to as "General" credits.

Experienced vs. Newly Admitted Attorneys: Know Your Category

The requirements outlined above apply to "experienced attorneys"—those who have been admitted to the New York Bar for more than two years. If this describes you, the 24-credit biennial cycle is your standard.

However, the rules are significantly different for attorneys within their first two years of admission. It is crucial to understand these distinctions to start your career in compliance.

Special Requirements for Newly Admitted Attorneys

If you are a newly admitted attorney, you are not subject to the biennial cycle for your first two years. Instead, you have an annual requirement.

  • Year 1 after Admission: You must complete 16 total credit hours, broken down into:

    • 3 hours of Ethics and Professionalism

    • 6 hours of Skills

    • 7 hours in Law Practice Management and/or Areas of Professional Practice

  • Year 2 after Admission: You must complete another 16 total credit hours with the same breakdown as Year 1.

Crucially, newly admitted attorneys must fulfill these credits in a specific format: live, in-person courses or live, interactive webcasts. Traditional on-demand courses are generally not sufficient to meet this initial requirement. After completing the second year of requirements, you will then transition to the standard 24-credit biennial cycle for experienced attorneys.

Finding and Taking Approved CLE Courses

To ensure your hard work counts toward your requirement, you must take courses from providers that have been officially accredited by the New York State CLE Board. Taking a course from a non-accredited provider is a common and costly mistake, so always verify a provider's status before purchasing.

Accepted Course Formats

Experienced attorneys in New York have significant flexibility in how they earn their credits. All 24 required hours can be completed through a variety of formats, including:

  • Live, in-person seminars

  • Live, interactive webcasts

  • On-demand audio or video courses

This flexibility allows you to complete your requirements on your own schedule, from your office or home, without any mandatory in-person attendance.

Reporting Compliance and Key Deadlines

New York has a straightforward "attorney affirmation" process for reporting. You will not send your course certificates to the state. Instead, you will certify under penalty of perjury that you have completed your required hours when you file your biennial attorney registration form.

It is your professional responsibility to maintain records of your compliance for at least four years. This means you must keep a copy of all your Certificates of Completion in case you are selected for a random audit by the CLE Board.

What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?

Failing to complete your CLE is a serious matter that can result in disciplinary action. However, the CLE Board has procedures for attorneys to make up credit deficiencies. If you find yourself in this situation, it is best to contact the Board directly and act quickly to create a plan for compliance.

Conclusion: Making Your CLE Compliance Simple

 

Staying compliant with New York's CLE rules comes down to a few key numbers: 24 total hours every two years, including at least 4 in Ethics, 1 in Diversity and Inclusion, and 1 in Cybersecurity.

By understanding your personalized deadline based on your birthday and keeping accurate records of your course completions, you can transform this recurring obligation into a seamless and stress-free part of your professional life. With a proactive approach, you can ensure you meet your requirements well ahead of schedule, allowing you to focus on what you do best—practicing law.

Ready to Fulfill Your New York CLE Requirements?

Stop the last-minute scramble. Browse our library of fully accredited, on-demand New York CLE courses and complete your credits on your schedule. Find engaging topics and manage your compliance with ease today.