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New York Attorney CLE Requirements

Credit Requirement 24 credits every 2 years
Specialty Credits 4 ethics credits
1 diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias credit
1 cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection credit
CLE Compliance Deadline Attorney’s birthday in alternate years
CLE Reporting Deadline 30 days after the attorney's birthday in alternate years
Approved BARBRI Formats Experienced attorneys: On-demand
Newly-admitted attorneys: On-demand for law practice management or areas of professional practice credit only
Carryover 6 credits
CLE Credit Reporting CLE credits are self-reported

New York CLE FAQs

What Are My Requirements as a New York-Licensed Attorney?

Effective July 1, 2023, all New York attorneys must complete 1 credit in Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection per compliance period. Up to 3 credits of Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection – Ethics may be applied to the ethics requirement. Experienced New York attorneys (admitted more than two years) are required to complete 24 credits, including 4 ethics CLE credits, 1 diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias CLE credit, and 1 technology credit every two years. Newly admitted New York attorneys (admitted two years or less) are required to complete 32 hours of transitional credits during the first two years of admission. During each year, they must complete 3 ethics CLE credits, 6 skills credits, and 7 law practice management or areas of professional practice credits.

How Can BARBRI Help Me Complete My CLE Requirement?

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

As an Experienced Attorney, When Must I Complete My CLE Requirement?

Experienced New York attorneys must complete their CLE requirement within 30 days after their birthday in alternate years. 

Newly admitted attorneys must file their registration form within 30 days after their birthday in the second calendar year following their admission to the New York Bar.

Can I Carry Over Credit From My Last Reporting Cycle?

Yes, in New York, experienced attorneys may carry over up to 6 credits, in any category, to the next reporting cycle. Newly admitted attorneys may carry over up to 8 credits, excluding ethics, to their first reporting period as an experienced attorney.

As a Newly-Admitted Attorney, When Do I Report CLE Credit?

Newly admitted attorneys must complete 32 total CLE credit hours, with 16 hours required each year during the newly admitted cycle.

Annual Requirements (Year 1 & Year 2):

  • 7 credits in Law Practice Management, Areas of Professional Practice, and/or Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection (General)
  • 6 credits in Skills
  • 3 credits in Ethics and Professionalism
  • Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection (Ethics) credits apply as specified
  • Total per year: 16 CLE credits

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How Else Can New York Lawyers Earn CLE Credit?

  • Experienced attorneys:
    • Attend approved CLE courses, in-person or delivered via live or recorded technology.
    • Teach an accredited CLE program. Attorneys can earn 3 credits for every 50 minutes of teaching.
    • Moderate or participate in a panel at an accredited CLE program. Attorneys can earn 3 credits for every 50 minutes of panel participation and 1 credit for every 50 minutes moderating a panel.
    • Teach law courses at an ABA-accredited law school. 
    • Prepare students for judging competitions, mock trials, and moot court arguments, including those at the high school or college level. Attorneys can earn 1 credit for every 50 minutes of participation. Attorneys may earn no more than 3 credits for participation in a high school competition and no more than 6 credits for a law school competition.
    • Publish legal writing. Attorneys can earn 1 credit for every 50 minutes of research and writing published legal materials. Attorneys can earn a maximum of 12 publication credits per cycle.
    • Provide pro bono legal services. Attorneys can earn 1 credit for every 120 minutes of pro bono services. Attorneys can earn a maximum of 10 pro bono credits per reporting cycle.
  • Newly admitted attorneys:
    • Attend approved CLE courses, in-person or delivered via live or recorded technology, making sure the format is appropriate for the category.
    • Providing pro bono legal services. Newly admitted attorneys may earn pro bono credits that are carried over to the next reporting cycle.
STREAMLINED CLE CREDIT SOLUTIONS

Access BARBRI CLE Webinars + Passes

With BARBRI CLE webinars and courses, you can find many interactive and engaging lectures delivered by industry experts, tailored for your practice area. We offer an All-Access CLE Pass for lawyers who want to complete their continuing education credits and get the most value for their investment.

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New York CLE Compliance and Reporting

When Do I Report the CLE Credits That I Have Earned?

New York attorneys must complete their CLE requirement and certify their compliance on their attorney registration form within 30 days after their birthday on alternate years.

How Do I Report the CLE Credits That I Have Earned?

New York attorneys must certify compliance on their attorney registration form.

Resources

Contact Information, Rules, and Regulations

New York State Bar Association
1 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: 518-463-3200
 
Information may change. Refer to your State Bar Association for updates.