New Attorney Training Program

Frequently Asked Questions: New Attorney Training

The State Bar of California’s New Attorney Training (NAT) Program is a mandatory online training program for all newly admitted California attorneys.

Compliance deadline

New attorneys must complete the New Attorney Training by the last day of the month of an attorney’s one-year anniversary as a State Bar licensee.

For example, an attorney admitted on October 15, 2026, must complete the training by October 31, 2026 (Rule 2.141 of title 2, division 6, chapter 1 of the Rules of the State Bar). For questions regarding your compliance deadline, complete the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.

Program details

The New Attorney Training Program consists of nine State Bar–produced online courses covering professional responsibilities and practical skills for practicing law. The courses may be completed in any order and at your own pace. You may leave and return at any time, and progress will be saved. Comparable courses from other providers do not satisfy the New Attorney Training requirement. The courses include:

  • Conflict Resolution, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Technology
  • Introduction to Law Practice Management Skills
  • Attorney Communication Duties
  • Attorney-Client Relationships
  • The Attorney as a Fiduciary of Funds and Property of Clients and Others
  • The Duty of Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest
  • Attorney Well-Being: The Bedrock of Competence
  • Elimination of Bias
  • Attorney as an Officer of the Court—Civility and Pro Bono Legal Services

After completing each course, save or print the MCLE certificate and resource materials, as they will be available only for 30 days afterward. The State Bar will not be able to provide the certificate and course resources later. You should maintain a copy of the certificate for at least one year after your MCLE compliance deadline. (Rule 2.73 of title 2, division 4, chapter 2 of the Rules of the State Bar.)

Accessing the training

The New Attorney Training Program courses can be accessed through My State Bar Profile.

To purchase the courses:

  1. Log in to My State Bar Profile.
  2. Locate the e-learning section toward the bottom of the home page, and select “E-Learning Portal.”
  3. On the E-Learning Dashboard’s top navigation bar, select “View Catalog.”
  4. In the search box, type “New Attorney Training.” 
  5. Select “Add to Cart” and complete the checkout process.

After you purchase the courses, when you return to the E-Learning Dashboard, select “Not Started” to locate the course you want to start. Then, select the red + button to the right of the course title, and select “Launch.”

For assistance establishing a My State Bar Profile, please contact the State Bar by calling 1-800-843-9053.

MCLE credit

The State Bar’s New Attorney Training is a separate requirement and is not MCLE. However, new licensees may apply the New Attorney Training hours toward their MCLE requirements if the hours are completed within the licensee’s first MCLE compliance period. (Rule 2.142 of title 2, division 6, chapter 1 of the Rules of the State Bar.) Each course description specifies the amount and type of MCLE credit awarded. Review your MCLE requirements, including any proportional requirement, to determine whether and how the training hours apply to your situation.

Exemptions and time exemptions

There are no exemptions from the New Attorney Training requirement. (Rule 2.143.) All attorneys must complete the courses as outlined, including those who assume inactive State Bar status. 

Time extensions are granted only in rare cases involving documented personal hardship. (Rule 2.144.) If you believe you have a qualifying hardship, submit the applicable State Bar request as soon as possible and ideally before your New Attorney Training deadline, if feasible. 

Submitting a request does not excuse compliance unless the State Bar grants it. Do not delay beginning or completing the training while awaiting a decision.

Noncompliance penalty

Failure to complete the New Attorney Training by the assigned deadline will result in a $106 noncompliance penalty, which may take up to 90 days to appear in My State Bar Profile. 

To pay the noncompliance penalty:

  1. Log in to My State Bar Profile. 
  2. Select “Compliance Dashboard” in the top navigation menu. 
  3. In the “Annual License Fee Status” section, select “Pay your annual fees.” 
  4. Select “Calculate and pay my fees.” 
  5. Follow the instructions to pay any outstanding balance.

Even after a noncompliance penalty has been assessed, you are still required to complete the New Attorney Training. Failure to complete the training and resolve any assessed penalties by the applicable deadlines may result in involuntary inactive enrollment, making you ineligible to practice law. (Rule 2.150 of title 2, division 6, chapter 2 of the Rules of the State Bar and Appendix A: Schedule of Charges and Deadlines.)

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