To keep your New York law license active, you must complete continuing legal education on a two-year cycle: 32 credits during your first two years after admission, and 24 credits every two years after that. Compliance is certified during your biennial attorney registration, and the New York CLE requirements include specific category minimums for ethics, skills, cybersecurity, and, for experienced attorneys, diversity and inclusion.
Newly Admitted Attorneys: 32 Credits in Two Years
If you were admitted to the New York Bar within the last two years, you are “newly admitted” and owe 32 credit hours of transitional CLE, split evenly at 16 credits per year.1Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.12 – Minimum Requirements Each 16-credit year breaks down as:
- 3 credits in ethics and professionalism
- 6 credits in skills
- 7 credits in law practice management or areas of professional practice
You also need at least 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection somewhere across the full 32-credit cycle. That credit does not add to your total; it comes out of one of the categories above, and cybersecurity credits in the “general” sub-category can count toward the 7-credit law practice management bucket.2New York State Unified Court System. 22 NYCRR 1500 – Minimum Requirements A diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias credit is not required of newly admitted attorneys, though the CLE Board encourages it.3New York State Unified Court System. Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias FAQs
The format rules are strict for new lawyers. You generally cannot earn credit through pre-recorded online courses, webinars, or DVDs; the state wants interactive instruction where you can ask questions in real time.4New York Courts. Newly Admitted Attorneys and Nontraditional-Format Courses Attorneys working in law offices outside the United States are the narrow exception, and can earn up to 12 credits through nontraditional formats.
Experienced Attorneys: 24 Credits Every Two Years
Once you have been admitted for more than two years, your obligation drops to 24 credit hours per biennial cycle.5Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.22 – Minimum Requirements The category minimums are:
- 4 credits in ethics and professionalism
- 1 credit in diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias
- 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection
The remaining 18 credits can go to any approved category, including skills, law practice management, or professional practice.5Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.22 – Minimum Requirements Up to 3 credits of cybersecurity-ethics content can double-count toward the 4-hour ethics requirement, so a single course in that sub-category can satisfy part of both minimums.6New York State Unified Court System. 22 NYCRR 1500.22 – Minimum Requirements
Format flexibility is much broader here. Experienced attorneys can complete the entire requirement through live classroom, teleconference, self-study, pre-recorded video, or online courses.5Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.22 – Minimum Requirements
If you earn more than 24 credits in a cycle, up to 6 excess credits carry into the next reporting period, in any category. The cap is firm. Earning 35 credits in one cycle banks 6 for next time, not 11.7New York Courts. FAQs for Experienced Attorneys
The Cybersecurity Credit
The cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection category took effect on January 1, 2023, and the requirement to complete at least 1 credit in it kicked in on July 1, 2023.8New York State Unified Court System. Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection FAQs It applies to both newly admitted and experienced attorneys. It does not raise your total credit obligation; one of your existing credits simply has to fall in this category.
Pro Bono, Teaching, and Publishing
Not every credit has to come from sitting through a course. Experienced attorneys can earn CLE credit for uncompensated legal work performed through a court assignment or a bar association legal services program accredited by the CLE Board, at a rate of 1 credit for every 2 hours of service. The cap is 10 credits per cycle, with up to 5 more available under Board guidelines.5Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.22 – Minimum Requirements You will need to submit an affirmation describing the work and hours, and keep your time records for at least four years. Newly admitted attorneys can also do pro bono work for credit, but those credits carry over to the second biennial cycle rather than counting toward the initial 32.
Teaching an accredited CLE program, sitting on a panel, or teaching at an ABA-accredited law school also earns credit, at a higher ratio than attending. Publishing legal writing counts as well, up to 12 credits per cycle.5Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.22 – Minimum Requirements
Who Is Exempt
Several categories of admitted attorneys owe no CLE credits at all:9Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.5 – Waivers and Exemptions
- Attorneys who did not give legal advice, counsel, or representation to anyone in New York during the reporting period. Performing judicial or quasi-judicial functions alone does not count as practicing law.
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and New York military service on full-time active duty, for the duration of that service.
- Out-of-state attorneys temporarily admitted for a specific case.
- Attorneys who certify that they are retired from practicing law. Retired attorneys also owe no registration fee.
If you practiced in New York for only part of your cycle, you may qualify for a prorated obligation of 1 credit per month (or partial month) of practice. Watch the trap: if you practiced at both the beginning and the end of the cycle, you owe the full 24 credits regardless of a gap in the middle.7New York Courts. FAQs for Experienced Attorneys
If You Can’t Finish in Time
You can request an extension of up to 90 days from the CLE Board by emailing cleoffice@nycourts.gov. Extensions are granted for undue hardship or extenuating circumstances.10New York Courts. Extension of Time to Complete CLE Requirement While the request is pending, you can still sign the CLE certification on your registration form to complete registration. Once you finish the outstanding credits, submit an update form to the Board.
Certificates and Records
The CLE provider must independently verify your attendance before issuing a certificate.11New York State Unified Court System. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Attendance Verification Your certificate should show the provider’s name, course title, date completed, credit hours, and the specific categories those credits fall under. Keep every certificate for at least four years from the date of the program.12Legal Information Institute. New York Code 22 NYCRR 1500.13 – Compliance Procedures You do not submit them proactively; they stay in your files unless you are selected for an audit.
Reporting Compliance at Registration
CLE is reported through your biennial attorney registration, filed within 30 days of your birthday in alternating years.13New York Courts. Attorney Registration – Frequently Asked Questions The registration fee is $375.14New York Courts. What Are New York’s Registration Requirements for Attorneys? You can file through the Attorney Online Services portal on the New York State Unified Court System website or by mail. During registration, you certify under oath that you have met the CLE requirements for the cycle.
What Happens If You Fall Short
If you do not complete your credits, your name is submitted to the Appellate Division for “appropriate action,” which can include suspension of your registration.15New York State Unified Court System. Continuing Legal Education Program Rules The rule is the same for newly admitted and experienced attorneys. Because you certify compliance under oath at registration, checking the box when you have not actually finished the credits is its own, separate problem. If you know you will miss the deadline, request the hardship extension.