---
title: The Hassle-Free Guide to Virginia CLE
description: Our resident accreditation expert, Meredith, answers some FAQs about the upcoming Virginia deadline.
---

[Blog | Lawline](https://blog.lawline.com)

# [The Hassle-Free Guide to Virginia CLE](https://blog.lawline.com/the-hassle-free-guide-to-virginia-cle)

 Written by [Meredith Cohen](https://blog.lawline.com/author/meredith-cohen) | Sep 27, 2019 4:15:00 PM

**What is the Virginia CLE requirement?** [12 credits every year](https://www.lawline.com/cle-requirements/virginia?utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=faculty_partnership&utm_content=VADeadline2019). At least 2 of the 12 must be in [Ethics or Professionalism](https://www.lawline.com/cle/virginia/courses/credit-ethics?utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=faculty_partnership&utm_content=VADeadline2019), but the remaining 10 can be in any credit category.

**How can I complete the Virginia CLE requirement?** Through a combination of [On Demand video](https://www.lawline.com/cle/virginia/courses/on-demand?utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=faculty_partnership&utm_content=VADeadline2019) or [audio](https://www.lawline.com/app?utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=faculty_partnership&utm_content=VADeadline2019) courses, as well as [Live Webcasts](https://www.lawline.com/cle/virginia/courses/webcast). At least 4 of the 12 credits have to be done through a live format, while the rest can be done asynchronously.

**When do I have to complete everything?** October 31. All attorneys in Virginia need to complete their full CLE requirement by October 31 each year or else incur a $100 noncompliance fine. (Spooky!)

**How do I know what I still have left to complete?** Keep tabs for yourself as you take CLE courses to make sure you’re completing enough of everything. Maybe you took 12 hours’ worth of CLE, but didn’t take 4 of them in a Live format, or only took 1 Ethics credit. You can use Lawline’s [credit tracker](https://www.lawline.com/credit-tracker?utm_source=blog&utm_campaign=faculty_partnership&utm_content=VADeadline2019) to stay on track. 

**What if I took extra CLE credits last year?** You can [carry over](https://www.vsb.org/Site/Default.aspx) up to 12 excess credits earned from one reporting period to the next, including up to 2 Ethics or Professionalism. 

**What do I do after I complete my courses?** Virginia attorneys have to report their earned credits to the Virginia State Bar. Simply log onto the [Member Portal](https://member.vsb.org/vsbportal/) on the VSB website and submit your course completion information - the approval number of the course, the date you took it, etc.  

After the CLE deadline passes, Virginia will send you a year-end report listing all the courses currently on your transcript. If it looks good to you, great! No need to file anything further.  But if anything is missing or inaccurate, [file your updates](https://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/mcle-regs/) with the MCLE office to avoid late fees or suspension.

**When do I have to submit all of my compliance information?** December 15. Be sure to have everything finalized and submitted by 4:45 PM Eastern, or you could incur a $100 late filing fee. If you still don’t have your CLE credits reported by February 1, you’ll get hit with an *additional* $100 late fee.  Virginia does have a process for filing for a waiver or an extension for a good cause, such as a medical condition or hospitalization, so get in touch with them directly if you think you qualify!

**What if I don’t complete my CLE in time?** In addition to the fines, as noted above, your license could be suspended. According to the [Virginia State Bar](https://www.vsb.org/pro-guidelines/index.php/mcle-regs/), “(a)n active member who fails to comply with the educational and certification requirements of the Rule and these regulations, including payment of any required fees, and has not obtained a waiver or extension for good cause shown by December 15 of each year, shall be subject to suspension of such active member's license to practice law…”

[View full post](https://blog.lawline.com/the-hassle-free-guide-to-virginia-cle)

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