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. It consists of nine State Bar–produced courses covering professional responsibilities and practical skills for practicing law. The courses may be completed in any order and at your own pace.

The State Bar’s New Attorney Training is a separate requirement and is not MCLE. However, you may apply NAT course hours toward your MCLE requirements if you complete the hours during your first MCLE compliance period. (Rule 2.142.) Review your MCLE requirements, including any proportional requirement, to determine whether and how the NAT hours apply to your situation. 

You must complete NAT by the last day of the month of your one-year anniversary as a State Bar licensee. (Rule 2.141.)

For example, if you were admitted on October 15, your deadline is October 31 of the following year. If you have a question about your deadline, complete the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.

The New Attorney Training Program courses can be accessed through My State Bar Profile. The fee to access all nine courses is $55. Fee waivers are not available.

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.”

No. Fee waivers are not available. The fee to access all nine NAT courses is $55. 

There are no exemptions from the NAT requirement. (Rule 2.143.) 

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 NAT deadline, if feasible.

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

If you completed any portion of NAT while enrolled in the State Bar’s PLP, you are considered to have satisfied that portion of the NAT requirement and do not need to retake it. Make sure you complete all nine NAT courses by the deadline.

Check your E-Learning Portal to confirm that your completed courses are reflected. If a completed course does not appear in your record, contact elearning@calbar.ca.gov for assistance.

No. Although certain federal or state employees may be exempt from the general MCLE requirement, there are no exemptions from the NAT requirement for new licensees. (Rule 2.143.) You must complete NAT by your one-year admission anniversary deadline.

Yes. NAT is a requirement for new licensees, and there are no exemptions based on inactive status. (Rule 2.143.)

Yes. Attorneys newly admitted to the State Bar of California must complete NAT during their first year as California licensees, even if they previously practiced law in another jurisdiction. There are no exemptions from NAT based on prior legal experience or admission elsewhere. (Rule 2.143.)

No. Comparable courses from other providers do not satisfy the NAT requirement.

You may receive MCLE credit for qualifying NAT course hours, as applicable, but outside MCLE courses cannot be substituted for the required State Bar NAT courses. 

If you do not complete NAT by your deadline, you will be assessed a 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 NAT. If you do not complete NAT and resolve any assessed fees by the applicable deadlines, you may be enrolled as involuntarily inactive and become ineligible to practice law.

No. The State Bar will not send a reminder before your NAT completion deadline. You are personally responsible for tracking and meeting your deadline.

If you do not complete NAT by your deadline, the State Bar will send you a notice of noncompliance. The notice will explain that you must complete NAT and pay any assessed noncompliance penalty to avoid being enrolled as inactive and becoming ineligible to practice law.

Because NAT is a onetime requirement, it may not appear in the same area of My State Bar Profile as your annual MCLE compliance obligations. Remember to:

• Keep your email address and mailing address current with the State Bar,
• Review your notifications in My State Bar Profile regularly, and
• Complete NAT well before your deadline.