MCLE Compliance

NOTICE: Please note the following updates to MCLE compliance deadlines:

  • Last names A–G (compliance Group 1): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2025. Report deadline: April 1, 2025.
  • Last names N–Z (compliance Group 3): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2026. Report deadline: March 30, 2026.
  • Last names H–M (compliance 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.

Find your MCLE compliance group.

All attorneys (except those on voluntary inactive status) report MCLE compliance by submitting a statement of compliance to the State Bar. Compliance may be reported online through My State Bar Profile.

MCLE compliance fees

Fee TypeFees
Late Fee Penalty$106
E-mod$106
Reinstatement$318
Credit Request$106

Compliance reporting requirements

Attorneys in MCLE compliance Group 3 with last names beginning with N–Z must report their MCLE compliance by March 30, 2026. Find your compliance group.

The following attorneys are subject to the MCLE education requirement and must report compliance:

  • Active attorneys
  • Not Eligible attorneys, who are suspended for disciplinary reasons
  • Retired attorneys whose status is listed as “active” are subject to the MCLE requirement, regardless of whether they are practicing law.

The following attorneys are exempt from the MCLE education requirement:

  • Inactive attorneys
  • Retired attorneys whose status is listed as “inactive” do not accumulate MCLE hours during this time and are not required to report compliance to the State Bar
  • Attorney who fall under this list of exempt attorneys:
    • If exempt for the entire compliance period, you must report your exemption, but you are not required to complete any education.
    • If exempt for only a portion of the compliance period, you must complete a prorated amount of education and report that you have done so.

Go to Attorney Search to check status.

The State Bar of California does not track the education hours completed by attorneys. Attorneys track their own hours and report compliance to the State Bar at the end of their three-year compliance period.

Audit requirements

If your compliance with the MCLE requirement is audited, the following must be provided:

  1. The certificates of attendance given to you by providers
  2. Your record of self-study activities including, as appropriate, the title, provider, time spent in the activity, subject matter of the activity, and the date on which you engaged in the activity
  3. Proof of Exempt status, if applicable

Maintain the records listed above for one year from the time compliance is reported.

Download a Personal MCLE Log form that you can use to keep track of your credit hours. For more information, see the FAQs about MCLE audits.

For questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.