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.
I had a bad experience with a Live Scan vendor. Can I report them to the State Bar?
Live Scan vendors are contracted through the DOJ and are not under the authority of the State Bar. Live Scan vendor complaints may be submitted to the State Bar, which will be sent to the DOJ. If you recently submitted your fingerprints through a DOJ-contracted Live Scan vendor and have had a negative experience, we encourage you to complete the Live Scan Vendor Complaint Form and email the completed form to the State Bar.
Will I be assessed fees from the State Bar?
Yes. The 2025 annual fees will be available to calculate and pay online through My State Bar Profile effective February 1, 2025.
What if I didn’t take enough courses during the compliance period?
Failure to complete the requirements during the compliance period will result in your having to make up the deficiency. You will have to submit all required hours to the online log and then submit the proof of compliance. You will also need to provide the audit submission cover sheet, a brief cover letter explaining why you were unable to complete the requirements during the compliance period along with the $205 deficiency fee for non-compliance by the deadline.
Do I send in the original certificates or the copies?
Photocopies are sufficient for the purposes of the audit. Hold on to your originals through the end of the year you report MCLE compliance.
3.4.3 Why am I being required to take a self-assessment on client trust accounting practices, and is it a wrong answer if I respond “no” to any of the self-assessment items?
The required self-assessment is a tool to help attorneys evaluate their current practices and to provide citations to relevant rules and other references, including sections of the Handbook on Client Trust Accounting for California Attorneys. The objective is to promote awareness of duties and facilitate thoughtful consideration of any possible changes to an attorney’s current practices.
Given the great variety of practice settings, including situations where an attorney’s practice is conducted in part or completely in another state with different rules, an attorney might appropriately respond “no” to a self-assessment item. Responding “no” should not be considered a wrong answer when that response accurately reflects an attorney’s current practices. However, if you respond “no” to any question, you may want to consider carefully whether you should make changes to your trust account management practices. Even if you decide not to change your trust account management practices, you should consider documenting in your records the purpose of any “no” responses. The self-assessment questions may be reviewed if you are selected for a compliance review. Documentation will assist the reviewer to quickly understand the purpose of the firm’s practice.
In taking the self-assessment, if an attorney is unsure about how California rules and recordkeeping standards apply to a specific practice setting, an inquiry to the Ethics Hotline research service at 800-238-4427 (toll-free in California) can be helpful. The Ethics Hotline might be able to provide more citations and resource references than the ones included in the self-assessment. The Ethics Hotline cannot provide legal advice, nor tell you how to comply with any of the CTAPP requirements, including the self-assessment.
Only by thoughtfully and honestly completing the self-assessment will an attorney realize the benefits of this compliance tool. Please keep in mind that the self-assessment questions are framed in the present tense and as such, they do not elicit information about prior conduct. Most importantly, what is learned from the self-assessment should inform an attorney’s future conduct in providing competent and professionally responsible services when handling funds and property of clients and others.
What is required?
The State Bar encourages, but does not require, active California licensees to provide pro bono legal services each year. While providing pro bono or reduced legal fee services is not mandatory, licensees are required by Business and Professions Code section 6073.2 to annually report the amount of these services performed each year. Licensees will report either their hours in ranges (e.g., less than 1 hour, 1-5 hours, 6-10 hours, 11-19 hours, etc.), that they did not track their pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, that they did not complete any pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, or that they decline to answer.
Does the State Bar have a program for attorneys that only want to do pro bono work?
The State Bar’s Pro Bono Practice Program (PBPP) allows attorneys who would otherwise be inactive to maintain an active license, free of fees, to exclusively provide pro bono legal services in partnership with a pro bono legal services provider. For more information on the PBPP, maintain an active license, free of fees, to exclusively provide pro bono legal services in partnership with a pro bono legal services provider. For more information on the PBPP, see the program webpage.
The course is stuck on a particular screen and won’t proceed or progress from that point.
Make sure that you have completed all interactive elements on the screen. The “NEXT” button will only activate once all of the screen elements have been completed. In addition, please allow the screen seek bar to progress on its own. If you manually drag it to complete the course, the “NEXT” button may not activate properly.
After completing a course, will I be able to access the course, my completion certificate, and the resource materials for that course?
Yes, however, access to a course completion certificate and resource materials for a course that you have completed will be available for only 30 days from the date of completion.
What payment methods are accepted on E-Bill Express?
E-Bill Express accepts debit cards, credit cards, and ACH payments.
Is there a limit on the number of times I can appear as PHV?
Rule 9.40 of the California Rules of Court does not set a limit on the number of appearances an out-of-state attorney may make as PHV. However, the court determines if the applicant is ineligible for PHV due to multiple appearances.
What does Client Trust Accounting School offer?
Client Trust Accounting (CTA) School provides an overview of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant provisions of the State Bar Act and Rules of the State Bar relating to client trust accounting. The course is designed to help attorneys understand their fiduciary responsibilities, avoid common trust accounting violations, and maintain compliance. It is self-paced and available 24/7 on the State Bar’s E-Learning Portal. It replaces the previously offered live sessions.
When do I have to report to the State Bar?
The general requirement is that the report must be made within 30 days of the time you have knowledge of the triggering event.[1] Exceptions:
If you have been newly licensed in another state or federal jurisdiction, or if your license in another jurisdiction has been terminated, you must report it on or before February 1 of each year.[2]
If you employ a person who is disbarred, resigned, involuntarily inactive, or suspended, you must report it to the State Bar prior to or at the time the employment commences.[3]
Reporting duties are not stayed while a sanction order is on appeal.[4]
How do I purchase a course?
Simply browse the course catalog, select the course you're interested in, and click “Add to Cart.” Once you complete checkout, you’ll have immediate access to the course through your account dashboard.
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