A Single Activity Provider (SAP) is a provider approved to hold and grant Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit for a single MCLE activity for a period of two years from the date of the activity, provided that no substantive changes are made to the activity. The SAP must apply for and receive approval of the activity in accordance with the State Bar procedures, including paying the applicable fee(s).
The State Bar also certifies attorneys as specialists in certain areas of law. Certified specialists must take and report Legal Specialty Minimum Continuing Legal Education (LSMCLE) in their specialty area(s) to maintain their specialty certification. The State Bar may accredit LSMCLE in the following areas of law:
Admiralty and Maritime
Appellate
Bankruptcy
Criminal
Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate
Family
Franchise and Distribution
Immigration and Nationality
Legal Malpractice
Taxation
Workers’ Compensation
LSMCLE activity may also qualify as approved MCLE activity for legal ethics, recognition and elimination of bias, implicit bias, prevention and detection competence, wellness competence, technology in the practice of law, and civility in the legal profession. Any requirements for an MCLE activity set forth in the MCLE provider rules apply to an MCLE activity.
Submit the completed form, the applicable fee(s), and the required supporting materials no less than 60 days prior to the date for which the course or activity is scheduled.
Please note that:
A separate SAP Application is required for each activity offered as part of an on-demand, multiday or multitrack, subscription-based, bundled activity, or multiple sessions within a bundled activity.
Incomplete applications or applications that do not include the required supporting materials or the appropriate processing fee will not be considered for approval.
An SAP application that requests retroactive approval of an activity is subject to late fees as set forth in the State Bar’s Schedule of Fees. Retroactive approval may only be granted for an activity occurring within the past two years.
Upon receipt of a complete application, the review process will take between four and 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.
Required supporting materials
Copies of the following materials are required and must be submitted with the SAP application:
Schedule or agenda: The schedule or agenda must include the title of the activity and its start and end time. The schedule or agenda must also include a time breakdown for each topic the activity covers, along with a brief description for each topic.
Speaker biographies: Each speaker’s biography must contain the speaker’s professional credentials, including all relevant work experience and academic achievements. A resumé may be submitted in lieu of a biography.
Written materials: Substantive written materials are required for activities that are one hour or more in length, and must include all syllabi and/or handouts that will be made available to all attendees before or during the activity. Written materials must outline the content and/or legal authorities discussed during the MCLE activity. A PowerPoint presentation may be submitted as written materials.
Promotional material(s): Draft promotional materials stating that the activity is approved for California MCLE credit; specifying the credit hours offered; indicating whether any credit may be claimed for required MCLE in legal ethics, recognition and 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; and indicating whether the activity is participatory or self-study must be submitted with the application.
If retroactive approval for an activity that has been offered is being sought, or the promotional materials have already been distributed, the promotional materials used for the activity must state that an application for California MCLE credit is pending approval. These materials must be submitted with the application. If promotional materials are not available, an explanation as to why must be submitted with the application.
If an MCLE activity is not approved, the provider must promptly provide written notice of the State Bar’s denial to any registrant seeking California MCLE credit for the course or program.
Number of credits: The total number of credit hour(s) to be issued for the activity must be indicated and must correspond with the times listed on the activity’s agenda as submitted.
Please note: MCLE or LSMCLE credit given to licensed California attorneys must be based upon a 60-minute hour of legal education or instructions. California licensees do not receive credit for breaks, lunch periods, or nonlegal education functions such as networking or company business meetings.
Record of Attendance: A Record of Attendance is only required if seeking retroactive approval of an activity and must include name and bar numbers for all California licensees. A provider may take attendance on the State Bar’s MCLE or LSMCLE Record of Attendance and provide attendees with the State Bar Evaluation Form, but any MCLE Certificate of Attendance or LSMCLE Certificate of Attendancemust not be issued until the activity is approved and the provider has received an approval letter from the State Bar.
