Becoming a California Multiple Activity Provider

Becoming a California Multiple Activity Provider

What is a Multiple Activity Provider?

A Multiple Activity Provider (MAP) is a provider approved to hold Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) or Legal Specialty Minimum Continuing Education (LSMCLE) activity and grant credit for such activity for two years without having to submit separate applications to request approval for each activity, so long as the MAP complies with the State Bar Rules governing MCLE providers. To become an MAP, a provider must apply for and receive MAP status in accordance with the State Bar procedures, including paying the applicable fee(s).

Which providers would benefit from MAP status?

An MAP may hold MCLE or LSMCLE activities and grant credit without first having to submit a Single Activity Provider (SAP) application for each new activity during the two-year approval period. Approved MAPs are listed on the State Bar’s website during the approval period.

Providers interested in becoming an MAP should maintain copies of any SAP Notification of Approval letters, which are required for submission with the MAP application.

Applying for MAP status

To be considered for MAP status, a provider must:

  • Within a two-year period prior to submitting an application for MAP status, receive State Bar approval for six different MCLE activities that are not repeat presentations of the same activity and that are held on six different dates; and
  • Submit a completed application and applicable fee(s).

Incomplete applications, including applications that do not include the required supporting materials or applicable fee(s) will not be considered for approval.

Any activity that is held prior to approval of MAP status must be submitted for SAP approval.

To obtain an MAP application, please contact the State Bar via email at providers@calbar.ca.gov or via phone at 415-538-2126.

Required supporting materials

Copies of the following materials are required and must be submitted with the MAP application:

  • Notice of Approval Letters received from the State Bar for each of the six qualifying single educational activities.
  • Records of Attendance for each of the six qualifying single educational activities, including the title of the MCLE activity; date; total hours awarded; any credits awarded for legal ethics, elimination of bias, implicit bias, prevention and detection competence, wellness competence, technology in the practice of law, civility in the legal profession, or legal specialization as a component of the activity; and the name and State Bar number of each California licensee.

MAP status renewal

At the end of the two-year cycle, an approved MAP may submit a request to renew its MAP status for another two-year period.

To be eligible for renewal, a provider must:

  • Submit a completed application, including evidence that it has offered six different MCLE activities that meet the requirements of the MCLE provider rules within two years preceding its application for renewal,  and the applicable fee(s) on or before the deadline set by the State Bar; and
  • Submit all complaints received regarding compliance with the MCLE provider rules, if any.

Incomplete renewal applications, including applications that do not include the required supporting materials or applicable fee(s) will not be considered for approval.

A renewal application for MAP status received after the renewal deadline set by the State Bar is subject to late fees as set forth in the State Bar’s Schedule of Fees. A renewal application received two years or more after the renewal deadline set by the State Bar will be ineligible for renewal. An MAP that fails to renew its status within the two-year timeframe must submit any MCLE or LSMCLE activity offered during that timeframe for retroactive approval as a SAP.

Required supporting materials

Copies of the following materials for six activities are required and must be submitted with the MAP renewal application:

  • Schedule or Agendas for each of the six activities, including  the title of the activity and its start and end time. All sessions for which MCLE or LSMCLE credit are given must be adequately identified, described, and include a time breakdown for each MCLE or LSMCLE session offered. Credit for concurrent MCLE or LSMCLE sessions cannot be counted more than once because licensees are not able to attend more than one session at a time.
  • Speaker biographies, each speaker’s biography must contain the speaker’s professional credentials, including all relevant work experience and academic achievements. A resume may be submitted in lieu of a biography.
  • Written materials for each MCLE or LSMCLE activity of one hour or more in length. The required materials must include all syllabi and/or handouts that were made available to all attendees before or during the activity and must discuss the content and/or legal authorities discussed during the MCLE or LSMCLE activity. A PowerPoint presentation may be submitted as written materials.
  • Records of Attendance for each of the activities, including the title of the MCLE activity; date; total hours awarded; any credits awarded for legal ethics, elimination of bias, implicit bias, prevention and detection competence, wellness competence, technology in the practice of law, civility in the legal profession, or legal specialization as a component of the activity; whether the activity is participatory or self-study; and the name and State Bar number of each California licensee. For activities or programs offered during half-day or multiday events, each session and the applicable credit hours must be identified so that the total number of hours of MCLE or LSMCLE credit given can be verified.
  • Promotional material(s) for each of the six activities. The materials must state that the activity is approved for MCLE credit; specify the credit hours offered; indicate whether any of the credit may be claimed for required MCLE in legal ethics, elimination of bias, implicit bias, competence issues, or legal specialization; and whether the activity is participatory or self-study.

Application information

The review process for all MAP applications is four to six weeks and cannot be expedited. The provider may be contacted during this time if additional information or documentation is required. The contact person listed on the application will be notified by email once a decision has been reached.

To avoid a lapse in status, MAP renewal applications are due on or before the date that a provider’s MAP status is set to expire.

Related links

Contact information

MCLE and LSMCLE Certification Program
The State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
providers@calbar.ca.gov
415-538-2126