Substantive written materials handouts, presentations, slides, or other documents that provider meaningful written explanations of the topics and legal authorities covered in the program. They must do more than list agenda items or display primary sources; they should contain analysis, discussion, and practical guidance at a level that allows an attorney to use the materials as a stand-alone reference after the course. Materials consisting only of brief bullet point outlines, agendas, unannotated copies of cases, statutes, or regulations, or slide decks that are mainly pictures, charts, or a few large font bullet points without explanatory text are not considered substantive.
What activities qualify for general MCLE credit?
Activities that qualify for general MCLE credit must: (1) relate to legal subjects that are directly relevant to California attorneys, and (2) offer current, significant educational, professional, or practical content with the specific objective of increasing each participant’s professional competency as an attorney. Programs created primarily for nonattorney audiences (for example, general public, clients, or business staff) do not qualify and will not be approved for general MCLE credit. More on Standards for MCLE activity Approval.
Are there separate Certificates of Attendance for speakers?
No. Except for the credit hours awarded, the certificate is the same for both speakers and nonspeakers.
Can a speaker receive credit as an attendee?
The speaker should receive credit for their attendance time less their speaking time. As an example, a speaker who speaks for 15 minutes during a 1-hour program would only be eligible for 45 minutes of attendance credit (i.e., 60 minutes of program time minus 15 minutes of speaking time = 45 minutes or 0.75 hours).
How are speaker credit hours calculated?
Regardless of the time increment, the speaker should be awarded their actual speaking time multiplied by four. For example, a speaker who speaks for 15 minutes would receive 1 hour of speaking credit (i.e., 0.25 hours x 4 = 1.00 hour speaking credit). Additionally, the speaker credit should be rounded to the nearest quarter-hour if necessary. For example, a speaker who speaks for 10 minutes should receive 45 minutes of speaking credit (i.e., 10 minutes x 4 rounded up to the nearest quarter-hour = 45 minutes or 0.75 hours).
Please note: Speaker credit should only be granted for the first presentation of a program. Speakers who repeat the same presentation should only receive attendance credit for that presentation.
How does a provider track attendance for participatory activities?
Providers can use the State Bar’s Record of Attendance form, or its equivalent, to take attendance. In addition to the California licensee’s name, State Bar number, and signature, the form must include the following information:
• The title of the MCLE activity;
• Date of the MCLE activity; and
• Total hours awarded, including any credit hours or partial credit hours awarded for legal ethics, recognition and elimination of bias, implicit bias, competence issues, or legal specialization as a component of the activity.
I am an approved SAP, so why am I not listed on the website?
Only MAPs are listed on the State Bar’s website. A provider with MAP status is considered to have demonstrated a strong understanding of both the standards for approval of MCLE activities and their responsibilities as outlined in the MCLE provider rules, and therefore, activities held by these providers are presumed to be approved by the State Bar.
How long does the provider’s status remain effective once approved?
A SAP’s application/program is approved for a period of two years from the date of the activity. An approval for MAP status is granted for a period of two years.
What types of legal education providers are approved in California?
There are two types of approved providers in California: Single Activity Providers and Multiple Activity Providers. A Single Activity Provider (SAP) is an organization approved to hold and grant Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) or Legal Specialty Minimum Continuing Legal Education (LSMCLE) credit for a single MCLE or LSMCLE activity for a period of two years from the date of the activity, provided that no substantive changes are made to the program. A SAP must apply for and receive approval of the activity in accordance with the State Bar’s procedures and pay applicable fee(s). More on becoming a Single Activity Provider
A Multiple Activity Provider (MAP) is an organization approved to hold and grant credit for any MCLE or LSMCLE activity for two years after applying for and receiving approval of MAP status in accordance with State Bar procedures and paying the applicable fee(s). Providers approved for MAP status do not have to submit separate applications to request approval for each program offered. More on becoming a Multiple Activity Provider
What is the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation?
The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE; JNE Commission), is an agency of the State Bar created by statute for the express purpose of evaluating judicial candidates nominated by the Governor. The language of the statute, Government Code section 12011.5, is mandatory. It provides that, prior to exercising their constitutional right to make judicial appointments, the Governor shall submit to JNE the names of all potential appointees or nominees for judicial office for evaluation of their judicial qualifications. The commission operates pursuant to rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar.
Will the State Bar require me to resubmit criminal information previously reported?
No. If you already reported criminal information to the State Bar in the moral character process or under the self-reporting mandate, you are not required to report the same information again.
Does the State Bar have a legal specialist program?
Replace with the following:
The State Bar certifies specialists in 11 areas: Admiralty & Maritime, Appellate, Bankruptcy, Criminal, Estate Planning, Family, Franchise & Distribution, Immigration, Legal Malpractice, Taxation, and Workers' Compensation. If you have questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry Form or call 415-538-2120.
Are county employees considered exempt?
No. County employees are not exempt. Employees of California Superior Courts are exempt from MCLE requirements.
Is my out-of-state/country CLE acceptable in California?
You may apply the MCLE credit from courses approved by many states and a few overseas jurisdictions if you were physically outside California when you completed them. This is by rule, so no special forms or requests are needed. Check the approved jurisdictions list on the State Bar website.
An attorney who is licensed to practice law in one or more U.S. jurisdictions other than California, resides in California, provides legal services as in-house counsel for a single qualifying institution in California, and is registered by the State Bar of California. See General Information FAQs for additional information.
If I failed the California Bar Exam after my registration as a registered legal services attorney, would my status be affected?
No. If you have successfully registered as a legal services attorney, your status will not change if you thereafter fail the California Bar Exam.
Under 9.46, may a non-California attorney register to work with more than one qualifying institution?
In-House Counsel may only register to work with a single qualifying institution.
Am I eligible if I have resigned with charges pending, or been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law in any other jurisdiction?
No.
How can I get a hard copy of the renewal packet?
Renewal packets are available by calling the Office of Admissions at 213-765-1519 or by sending an e-mail to mjp@calbar.ca.gov.
Why become a Leadership Bank?
Increased visibility as a partner in access to justice: The State Bar will prominently highlight Leadership Banks on its website, including their names first on the list of financial institutions eligible to hold IOLTA accounts, and including hyperlinks to their institution’s website. The State Bar will draw attention the Leadership Bank program in its communications and publications seen by attorneys around the state, emphasizing how selecting a Leadership Bank for IOLTA funds will increase funding for civil legal aid to vulnerable low-income Californians.
Marketing edge: Financial institutions will have permission to advertise their Leadership Bank designation and branding as evidence of their support for their communities and for civil legal aid.
Ability to obtain Community Reinvestment Act credit: Being a Leadership Bank will help financial institutions fulfill their obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by generating funds that will go directly towards assisting those most in need. Civil legal aid helps prevent homelessness, protect families, and stop wage theft, among many other areas that align with CRA development goals. Becoming a Leadership Bank is an investment in the community that contributes to its overall economic strength and stability
Demonstrated social responsibility: Financial institutions care about their customers and their communities. This is another way to support veterans, seniors, and low-income Californians struggling with disability benefits, medical care, and their financial health. The California Justice Gap Study estimates that 33 percent of the problems that low-income Californians seek help for will not be resolved due to insufficient resources. In fact, in the past year only 27 percent of low-income Californians received some legal help for issues that matter the most to them; less significant issues received even less support. The Leadership Bank program is an immediate and critical means to start filling the gap by providing additional interest on IOLTA accounts that in turn will fund more services to these clients.
Source: State Bar of California, The California Justice Gap Study: Measuring the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Californians (2019).
What does a “compliance pending” status mean?
Compliance pending status means the active attorney will not be penalized because the State Bar received evidence the attorney attempted to comply with the Fingerprinting Rule Requirements. However, the fingerprints have not been successfully processed by both the DOJ and FBI. The attorney may be asked to re-submit fingerprints if the State Bar does not receive confirmation the fingerprints were processed successfully by the DOJ/FBI.
Can I use a non-California Live Scan vendor, if I live out of state?
Do I have to provide my social security number on the California DOJ Live Scan form?
Providing a social security number is not legally required; however, DOJ procedures recommend providing the social security number on the Live Scan form. Further, many Live Scan vendors will refuse to submit your information without a social security number.
If you are uncomfortable with a Live Scan vendor retaining your social security number, we recommend redacting the number from the Live Scan form after the Live Scan vendor enters your information into the Live Scan software for transmission to the DOJ. The Live Scan vendor will then retain the redacted Live Scan form for their records. If a social security number is not provided, processing can be delayed.
I don’t live in California. Will I have to travel back to California to be fingerprinted?
No. Attorneys who live out-of-state can request hard copy fingerprint cards from the State Bar to be mailed to their preferred location. The cards can be completed at any fingerprint processing location within the jurisdiction in which they are located. For more information go to Fingerprinting Rule Requirements.
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