MCLE Requirements

NOTICE: Please note the following updates to MCLE compliance deadlines:

  • Last names A–G (compliance Group 1):  Report deadline: March 30, 2028.
  • Last names H–M (compliance Group 2): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2027. Report deadline: March 30, 2027.
  • Last names N–Z (compliance Group 3): Extended to a single 38-month cycle ending March 29, 2026. Report deadline: March 30, 2026.
  • After the single 38-month cycle, each group returns to a standard 36-month cycle starting March 30 of their respective year and ending the day before the deadline 36 months later.

Find your MCLE compliance group.

With a few exceptions, all active State Bar licensees must complete 25 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) in their three-year compliance periods and file a report with the State Bar. The State Bar audits compliance with MCLE requirements. Find your MCLE compliance group.

MCLE compliance fees

Fee TypeFees
Late Fee Penalty$106
E-mod$106
Reinstatement$318
MCLE Credit Request$106

Current MCLE compliance requirements

For the compliance period ending March 29, 2026, and subject to the proportional requirements (State Bar rule 2.72(C)(2)(c)) and exceptions (State Bar rule 2.54), licensees are required to complete and report 25 hours of MCLE within the three-year compliance period as follows:

  • At least 12.5 credit hours must be participatory credit hours.
  • Legal Ethics: At least 4 credit hours of legal ethics.
  • Elimination of Bias: At least 2 credit hours addressing the recognition and elimination of impermissible bias in the courtroom and law offices; attorney‐client relationships and relationships with other attorneys; legal and nonlegal employment and workplaces, including hiring, managing, and terminating employees; and in housing, including accommodations and services. Courses required by California Government Code section 12950.1 also qualify for recognition and elimination of bias credit.
    • Implicit Bias/Bias-Reducing Strategies: At least 1 hour of this Elimination of Bias requirement must focus on implicit bias and bias-reducing strategies, focusing on implicit bias and the promotion of bias-reducing strategies to address how unintended biases regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics undermine confidence in the legal system (California Business & Professions Code section 6070.5).
  • Competence: At least 2 credit hours of Competence, including at least 1 hour in Prevention and Detection. This activity must consist of education that relates to the prevention and detection of substances use disorders, mental illness, and other mental or physical issues that impair an attorney’s ability to perform legal services with competence.
  • Technology: At least 1 credit hour of education addressing technology in the practice of law.
  • Civility: At least 1 credit hour of education addressing civility in the legal profession.

For current and new MCLE credit requirements, a licensee may reduce the required 25 hours in proportion to the number of full months the licensee was inactive or exempt in the 36‐month compliance period, except that the requirements of paragraphs (B)(2)(a)(ii) and (B)(2)(a)(iii) may not be reduced to less than 1 hour each. Up to half the reduced hours may be self‐study. See MCLE credit tool for more information.

2025 MCLE compliance requirements

For the compliance period ending March 29, 2025, and subject to the proportional requirements (State Bar rule 2.72(C)(2)(c)) and exceptions (State Bar rule 2.54), licensees are required to complete and report 25 hours of MCLE within the three-year compliance period as follows:

  • At least 12.5 credit hours must be participatory credit hours.
  • At least 4 credit hours of legal ethics (Legal Ethics Credit).
  • At least 2 credit hours of Elimination of Bias. This activity addresses the recognition and elimination of impermissible bias in the courtroom and law offices; attorney‐client relationships and relationships with other attorneys; legal and nonlegal employment and workplaces, including hiring, managing, and terminating employees; and in housing, including accommodations and services.
    • At least 1 hour of this Elimination of Bias requirement must focus on implicit bias and bias-reducing strategies, focusing on implicit bias and the promotion of bias-reducing strategies to address how unintended biases regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics undermine confidence in the legal system (California Business & Professions Code section 6070.5).
  • At least 2 credit hours of Competence, including at least 1 hour in Prevention and Detection. This activity must consist of education that relates to the prevention and detection of substances use disorders, mental illness, and other mental or physical issues that impair an attorney’s ability to perform legal services with competence. 
  • At least 1 credit hour of education addressing technology in the practice of law (Technology Credit).
  • At least 1 credit hour of education addressing civility in the legal profession (Civility Credit).

Information for specific groups

Reduced hours for some attorneys

Some attorneys may be able to claim a reduced number of hours because they were just admitted to the State Bar, were inactive, or claimed an exempt status. Find out more about attorneys subject to proportional requirements.

Related links

For questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form or contact:

MCLE Compliance Program
The State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105