Upcoming Changes to Continuing Legal Education Requirements for Attorneys in North Carolina (2024-2025)
By As attorneys, we understand the importance of staying current with legal trends, ethics, and developments in our practice areas. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) plays a vital role in ensuring that we provide the best possible service to our clients and uphold the standards of our profession. Starting in 2024, North Carolina has implemented significant changes to CLE requirements that all attorneys should be aware of.
Overview of the Changes
Beginning in 2024, the North Carolina State Bar will roll out new requirements that affect the reporting period for CLE and the topics covered. Here’s what you need to know:
1. **Increased Reporting Period**
Starting in 2024, the NC State Bar will transition to a two-year reporting period, replacing the annual reporting period. That is, you will be required to fulfill your required CLEs with a two-year period.
The total number of hours required has not changed. You must report a total of 24 CLE hours over the two-year period, or an average of 12 hours per year.
We have to begin thinking about CLEs per Reporting Period rather CLEs per year.
2. **Transition Period**
“To facilitate the transition to the new rules effective March 1, 2024, a staggered reporting period has been established. Lawyers admitted in North Carolina with an odd year of admittance (e.g. 2023) will have a one-time, one year/12-hour requirement. Even year lawyers will go directly to two years/24 hours.” – NC State Bar Website
That is, if you were admitted to the NC State Bar in an odd-numbered year (for example, 2023, 2019, 2005, 1997, 1983, or any other year ending in an odd number), you will report your 2024 CLE hours as you always have – with 12 CLE hours being required prior to the end of the bar year.
If you were admitted to the NC State Bar in an even-numbered year (for example, 2022, 2016, 2002, 1994, 1986, or any other year ending in an even number), you will report your 2024 and 2025 CLE hours (a total of 24 hours) by the end of the 2025 bar year.
3. **CLE Attendance Fee**
Rather than charging per reported hour, as they had in the past, the NC State Bar will now charge a single $25 CLE Attendance Fee for each reporting period.
4. **Required Topics and Carryover**
“Of these 24 hours, four must be in professional responsibility or professionalism or any combination thereof, one technology hour, and one professional well-being hour (formerly substance abuse/mental health awareness training). Lawyers are permitted to carry over up to 12 hours of CLE from one reporting period to the next. Hours will carry over as total hours only. Ethics, technology, and professional well-being hours must be taken every reporting period.” – NC State Bar Website
That is, you must, in any reporting period, take at least one hour of each of
- Professional Responsibility or Professionalism
- Technology
- Lawyer Well-being
And, you can carry over up to 12 hours of CLE credit from one reporting period to the next.
But, any carryover is reported as “general” or “total” hours only. You cannot carry over a Profession Responsibility, Technology, or Lawyer Well-being credit. These must be taken every reporting period.
How to Prepare
Here are some steps attorneys can take to prepare for the upcoming changes:
**Review Your Current CLE Status**: Check how many hours you have already completed for the year and what topics you have covered.
**Know Your Reporting Period**: Be sure you know whether you have to complete 12 hours by the end of 2024 or 24 hours by the end of 2025.
**Plan Ahead**: Look for CLE programs that focus on the required topics. Many organizations will be offering specialized courses designed to meet these new requirements.
**Stay Informed**: Regularly check the North Carolina State Bar website for updates, resources, and upcoming CLE opportunities.
Conclusion
The upcoming changes to CLE requirements in North Carolina present both challenges and opportunities for attorneys. By embracing these changes, we can enhance our skills, promote ethical practices, and ensure that we are well-equipped to meet the needs of our clients and the legal community.
For more information on the new CLE requirements, please visit the North Carolina State Bar’s official website or reach out to your local bar association. Let’s make the most of these changes together!