CLE Requirements in California

California attorneys are required to complete 25 credits, including 4 ethics CLE credits, 1 elimination of bias CLE credit, 1 technology CLE credit, 1 civility CLE credit, 1 implicit bias CLE credit, and 2 competence issues credits every three years.

California-licensed attorneys can earn continuing legal education credits by exploring BARBRI's on-demand and live CLE courses.

California attorneys will report credit based on their compliance group. Attorneys are assigned to one of three compliance groups based on the last name on their admit cards when they are sworn in. An attorney will remain in the same compliance group, even if there is a name change.

Last names A–G (Group 1): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2025. Report deadline: April 1, 2025.

Last names N–Z (Group 3): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2026. Report deadline: March 30, 2026.

Last names H–M (Group 2): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2027. Report deadline: March 30, 2027.

After the single 38-month cycle, each group returns to a standard 36-month cycle starting March 30 of their respective year and ending the day before the deadline 36 months later.

No, carryover is not allowed.

A new California attorney’s first reporting cycle begins on the first day of the month of admission and ends when the assigned compliance group cycle ends. If the attorney’s initial cycle is less than three years, the requirement may be reduced. New California attorneys are required to complete the State Bar New Attorney Training Program within 12 months of admission. This is a 10-hour program accessed through the attorney’s State Bar Profile. The training includes 4 hours of ethics, 3 hours of basic skills, 1.5 hours of competence, and 1.5 hours on the elimination of bias that can be applied toward the CLE requirement.