2025 CLE Rule Changes

Remaining informed about changes in Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements is crucial for legal professionals to uphold their licenses and remain relevant in the ever-evolving field of law. Several states have recently implemented updates to their CLE regulations, aiming to enhance attorney competence, professionalism, and ethical standards. Lawline has compiled a running list of all the CLE rule changes going into effect in 2025 and beyond. We will continue to update this article as new changes are announced.

Without further ado, here's a breakdown of the most recent 2025 changes by state:

California 

When?  Effective immediately.

What Changed? Beginning with the compliance period ending on March 29, 2025, California attorneys are required to complete 25 credits every 3 years, including: 

• At least 4 hours in Ethics 
• At least 2 hours of Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession (1 of these must specifically be in Implicit Bias) 
• At least 2 hours on Competence Issues (1 of these must specifically focus on prevention and detection); 
• At least 1 hour of Technology 
• At least 1 hour of Civility in the Legal Profession 

For more information, please visit our California CLE Requirements page.

Georgia

When? Starting January 1, 2026.

What Changed?  Georgia has moved from an annual reporting cycle to biennially. Details listed below:

18 Credit Hours Biennially

• 3 hours in Ethics
• 2 hours in Professionalism

Initial compliance period for ALL will be January 1, 2026- December 31, 2027.

18 hours may be carried over, including 3 in ethics and 2 in professionalism.

Trial attorneys no longer need trial skills courses.

For more information, please visit our Georgia CLE Requirements page.

North Dakota

When?  Starting January 1st, 2025.

What Changed?

• The North Dakota Supreme Court reduced the required CLE hours from 45 to 36, and reduced the carry over amount from 15 to 12
  
• Attorneys may claim no more than 24 hours of credit by self-study during a reporting period

Rhode Island

When?  Starting July 1st, 2025. 

What Changed?

• All Rhode Island attorneys will now be required to complete 1 credit in diversity, equity, and inclusion for each compliance cycle;
  
• Newly admitted Rhode Island attorneys will need to complete Rhode Island’s Bridge the Gap program within 90 days of bar admission.

For more information, please visit our Rhode Island CLE Requirements page.

Utah

When?  July 1, 2026.

What Changed? Utah attorneys will be able to carry over up to 6 excess CLE credits into their next reporting cycle, not including Ethics or Professionalism and Civility hours. For the current cycle that ends on June 30, 2026, there is no carry over credits allowed.

For more information, please visit our Utah CLE Requirements page.

Wisconsin

When? Starting January 1, 2026. 

What Changed? Wisconsin to ALLOW up to 6 hours of cultural competency and reduction of bias to count as credit. 

• It will not be a requirement, but will allow those WI attorneys who take courses in the subject to get CLE credit for it with the elimination of DEI programs.

For more information, please visit our Wisconsin CLE Requirements page.

State CLE Deadlines

FEBRUARY 1: 
New Mexico 

FEBRUARY 28: 
North Carolina, South Carolina 

MARCH 29: 
California (Group 1)

MARCH 31: 
Montana, Grace Period Ends for Georgia 

APRIL 30: 
Oregon, Pennsylvania (Group 1) 

MAY 31: 
New Hampshire 

JUNE 30: 
Arizona, Arkansas*, Illinois*, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah*, Vermont, West Virginia*  

JULY 31: 
Mississippi 

AUGUST 31: 
Pennsylvania (Group 2) 

OCTOBER 31: 
Virginia 

DECEMBER 31: 
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey,  Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (Group 3), Tennessee, US Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Staying informed about these changes is essential for legal professionals to ensure compliance with their state's CLE requirements. For more detailed information, visit Lawline’s CLE requirements page. Stay updated, stay compliant, and stay ahead in your legal career!