New York CLE Requirements

New York Experienced Attorney Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Attorneys in New York must complete 24 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit hours every two years, as required by the State Bar of New York. These 24 NY CLE hours must include:

• 4 hours of Ethics & Professionalism
• 1 hour of Diversity, Inclusion & Elimination of Bias
• 1 hour of Cyber Security, Privacy, and Data Protection

New York Newly Admitted Attorney CLE Requirements

Newly admitted New York attorneys must complete 16 transitional CLE hours per year during their first two years of admission to the Bar, totaling 32 credit hours. Each year, these CLE hours must include:

• 3 hours of Ethics & Professionalism

• 6 hours of Skills

• 7 hours of Law Practice Management

• 1 hour of Cyber Security, Privacy, and Data Protection during the first or second year as one of the total 32 credit hours

As of 2016, newly admitted attorneys may fulfill all 7 hours of Law Practice Management and/or Areas of Professional Practice each year through LexVid. Unless otherwise specified, all NY credits listed in LexVid’s library qualify for Areas of Professional Practice credit.

New York CLE Compliance Deadlines

As a New York attorney, your CLE deadline falls 30 days after your birthday, every two years, based on your admission year:

• If you were admitted in an even-numbered year, your deadline falls in even-numbered years.

• If you were admitted in an odd-numbered year, your deadline falls in odd-numbered years.

Note: Attorneys admitted before January 1, 1982, must comply in even-numbered years, regardless of their admission year.

New York CLE Reporting Deadline
New York attorneys certify their compliance on their attorney registration, found online here. Certificates of completion must be kept for four years, but do not have to be recorded with the CLE board.

NY Carry Over Credit
Attorneys can carry over 6 credits into the next reporting period.

State Bar of New York Accredited CLE Provider
LexVid courses are accepted for CLE credit by the by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board.

Complete your entire New York CLE requirement online with LexVid.

Frequently Asked Questions about New York CLE Compliance

How do I report my New York CLE compliance?
You will receive your attorney registration form at the end of your CLE cycle. Use this form to report your CLE compliance. Each certificate contains the number of CLE credits you have earned for that course.

What if I'm a newly admitted attorney in New York?
See the "Newly Admitted New York Attorney CLE Requirements" section above. 

What if I've been inactive or exempt for part of my New York CLE cycle?
New York attorneys who were not practicing law at the beginning of their reporting cycle or at the end of their reporting cycle are subject to a pro rata CLE requirement equaling 1 hour for each month they were practicing. However, attorneys who take a break from practicing law in the middle of their reporting cycle are subject to the full CLE requirement.

What if I don't comply by my New York CLE deadline?
The names of New York attorneys who fail to comply with their CLE requirement may be submitted to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division for disciplinary action.

What if I take a CLE course outside of the state of New York?
A New York attorney may earn credit for attendance of an out-of-state course provided that the course is accredited by a New York Approved Jurisdiction. Click here to find the list of New York Approved Jurisdictions.

How are New York continuing legal education credit hours calculated?
In New York, one CLE credit hour is awarded for each full 50 minutes of instruction, and in increments of 25 minutes thereafter.

Can I carry over extra New York CLE credit hours?
Yes, New York allows up to a maximum of 6 hours (including Ethics and Professionalism courses).

How long do I need to keep my New York CLE certificates? 
New York attorneys must maintain their records of CLE program completion for a period of at least four years from the date of the course or program. All of your LexVid certificates of completion can be found at lexvid.com/secure/completed/new-york-cle

How can I contact the New York State CLE board?
New York State Continuing Legal Education Board
 25 Beaver Street, Room 888
 New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-428-2105
Email: cle@courts.state.ny.us

Who qualifies as an experienced attorney in New York?

An experienced attorney in New York is one who has been admitted to the state bar for over two years.

Are there alternative ways for experienced attorneys in New York to earn CLE credit?

Experienced attorneys can earn CLE credit through the following activities:

• Speaking or Teaching at an Accredited CLE Program: Attorneys earn 3 CLE credits for every 50 minutes of presentation. Preparation time does not earn additional credit.

• Moderating or Participating in a Panel at an Accredited CLE Activity: Attorneys earn 3 credits for every 50 minutes of panel participation and 1 credit for every 50 minutes of moderation. No additional credit is given for preparation time.

• Teaching Law Courses: Instructing at an ABA-accredited law school qualifies for CLE credit.

• Judging or Preparing Students for Law Competitions: This includes mock trials and moot court arguments at high schools, colleges, or law schools. Attorneys earn 1 credit per 50 minutes of participation. A maximum of 3 CLE credits can be earned for high school or college-level competitions, while law school competitions have a cap of 6 CLE credits per reporting cycle.

• Publishing Legal Research-Based Writing: Attorneys earn 1 credit for every 50 minutes spent researching and writing. A maximum of 12 publication credits can be earned per reporting cycle.

• Providing Pro Bono Legal Services: Attorneys earn 1 CLE credit for every two hours (120 minutes) of pro bono legal service, with a maximum of 10 pro bono credits per reporting cycle.

What if I have more questions about New York CLE?
Check our help center: https://help.lexvid.com, shoot us an email at support@lexvid.com or give us a call at 1-877-327-1226. We look forward to hearing from you!