CLE Requirements in North Carolina
All required CLE hours can be taken online as of January 1, 2020.
As of March 1, 2024, attorneys licensed in North Carolina are required to take 24 hours of CLE approved by the North Carolina State Bar over a 2 year period.
The 24 hour requirement includes:
- One (1) Technology Training Hour
- One (1) Professional Well-Being Hour (formerly Mental Health/Substance Abuse)
- Four (4) Ethics Hours
Lawyers may 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 PWB hours must be taken every reporting period.
The CLE year runs from March 1 to February 28 with no grace period.
2 Year Reporting Period Exception for 2024 Hours:
- Lawyers with an odd year of admittance (e.g. 2023) will have a one-time 1 year/12 hour requirement to be completed by February 28, 2025
- Lawyers with an even year of admittance will go directly to 2 years/24 hours to be completed by February 28, 2026
Q: Will the Mecklenburg Bar Association report my CLE hours?
A: Yes. The MBA will report your CLE credit hours within 30 days of the live program, or at the beginning of each month for on-demand programs.
Q: I am a newly licensed attorney. What do I need to know about the Professionalism for New Attorneys CLE?
A: The Professionalism for New Attorneys CLE is required for all newly licensed attorneys in North Carolina and must be taken during the member's first reporting period. The MBA generally hosts PNA webinars in May and October. More information on PNA requirements can be found here.
Q: When is the CLE deadline?
A: February 28 of your CLE reporting period.
Q: Do I get credit for presenting a CLE?
A: Yes. You are entitled to one hour of CLE credit for every ten minutes of actual instruction. (6 hours of CLE credit for a one-hour presentation)
MCB Cancellation/Refund Policy
Contact MBA CLE Staff:
Phone: 704/375-8624
Lisa Armanini, Director of Continuing Legal Education, larmanini@meckbar.org
Michelle Lee, Assistant Director of Continuing Legal Education and Sections Coordinator, mlee@meckbar.org
Contact North Carolina State Bar CLE Staff:
Phone: 919/733-0123
Debra Holland dholland@ncbar.gov
Lori Nicolicchia lnicolicchia@ncbar.gov
Emily Oakes eoakes@ncbar.gov
Joe Latona jlatona@ncbar.gov