CLE FAQs:
Keeping Track of Compliance

Most US jurisdictions require attorneys to meet minimum continuing legal education requirements in order to maintain their license to practice. Whether you are licensed in one jurisdiction or many, keeping track of your CLE requirements can feel daunting. PBI is here to help.

As you browse the PBI catalog, you’ll note a variety of course formats that are color-coded on each CLE course listing. Your CLE requirements often dictate the number of credits that can be taken in a given format, particularly relative to in-person vs online, and synchronous vs. asynchronous learning. Here’s a breakdown of PBI’s course formats and how each fits into CLE requirement categories:

Live In-Person
Live In-Person courses are just that – classroom-style CLE learning where attendees are in the room with other attendees and faculty. These courses are not viewed online so are not considered distance education.

Webcast
Webcast courses are CLEs that are streamed in real-time to a remote audience. The speakers are presenting remotely, and the audience is viewing the course from their own personal device. These courses are considered distance learning, but often qualify for “live” credits as they are synchronous and interactive. Participants are able to interact with faculty and ask questions throughout the course in real-time.

Webcast Replay
Webcast replays are scheduled replays of previously live-streamed webcast CLEs. While replays are pre-recorded, they are moderated by experts, so not entirely asynchronous.

Simulcast
Simulcasts are courses that are being live streamed to an in-person group viewing classroom. These courses are synchronous and typically considered to be “in-person”, since they are viewed in a room with peers. You’ll find these listed with In-Person courses in our catalog.

On-Demand Video
On-demand video courses are pre-recorded and can be purchased, viewed, and submitted for CLE credits at the convenience of customers. These courses are completely asynchronous and are independent, distance-learning courses.

In addition to CLE course formats, PBI CLE courses are also assigned certain types of specialized credits. Most jurisdictions require a combination of credit types, and many courses include multiple types of credits within a single CLE. As you view courses in our catalog, you can sort and filter by specific credit types to ensure you’re checking all the boxes on your compliance. Credit types, listed per jurisdiction, can also be viewed by clicking the “Credits” dropdown on any CLE course listing. Here a few examples of CLE credit types that you’ll find in our collection:

General/Substantive
This catch-all credit type generally is for CLE hours that are informational, without a special credit focus like Ethics or DEI (more info below).

Ethics
Ethics credits are one specific credit type required by some jurisdictions to maintain CLE compliance. Ethics courses typically address attorney and legal ethics best practices.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
DEI CLE requirements are increasingly common, and just as the name indicates, these courses will have a focus on understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion in the practice of law.

Technology
Just as the name indicates, technology credits are required by some jurisdictions to ensure that attorneys stay up-to-date and in the know about technology and its impact on the practice of law.

For a full list of available credits types, visit our catalog here and select the “Credit Types” drop down filter on the left side of the page.

Some jurisdictions consider a CLE credit hour to be a full 60-minute hour, while others only require 50-minute hours for CLE credits. Don’t worry – we calculate all that for you as part of our credit reporting service. For a full breakdown of jurisdictions and their definition of a CLE hour, visit our handy guide.

PBI now accommodates credit reporting for a large (and still growing!) list of CLE-mandatory jurisdictions. Our goal is to serve as your one-stop-shop for all things CLE, making it fast and easy to meet your requirements. From our catalog, you can filter and sort by jurisdiction, which allows you to find exactly the courses you need to stay compliant everywhere you’re licensed to practice. Check out our quick-reference guide below and stay in-the-know about the latest requirements:

Delaware
Delaware attorneys are required to take 24 hours of CLE per 2-year reporting period. Of the mandatory 24 hours, they are required to complete 4 hours of Ethics credits. Twelve of their 24 required credits can be taken as distance learning, defined in Delaware as either Webcasts or On-Demand Video courses. The remaining 12 CLE credits must be earned through in-person courses. For PBI courses not already “approved” in Delaware, attorneys can self-apply for Delaware CLE credits.

Delaware courses



Florida
Florida attorneys are required to complete 33 CLE credits per 3-year reporting period. These credits must include 5 hours in the areas of ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, bias elimination, or mental illness awareness programs, with at least 1 of those 5 hours in an approved professionalism program, and 3 credits in technology programs. All credits can be taken virtually, in live webcast or on-demand video format. For PBI courses not already “approved” in Florida, attorneys can self-apply for Florida CLE credits.

florida courses



New Jersey
New Jersey requires attorneys to complete 24 hours of CLE per 2-year reporting period. Of those 24 required hours, NJ-licensed lawyers also need to include 3 hours in Ethics and/or professionalism, and 2 hours of diversity, inclusivity and elimination of bias training. All credits can be taken virtually, in live webcast or on-demand video format.

New jersey courses



New York
New York generally requires that attorneys admitted to the bar for more than 2 years complete 24 credit hours per 2-year reporting period. These credits must include at least 4 hours of Ethics and Professionalism credits, as well as 1 additional credit in Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias category, and 1 credit in Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Data Protection. There are additional specific requirements for newly admitted NY attorneys. All credits can be taken virtually, in live webcast or on-demand video format.

new york courses



Ohio
Ohio attorneys are required to complete 24 hours of CLE per 2-year reporting period, including 2.5 hours of Professional Conduct CLEs. All credits can be taken virtually, in live webcast or on-demand video format.

ohio courses



Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania attorneys are required to complete 12 hours of CLE per 1-year reporting period. Of the 12 required hours, they must complete 2 hours of Ethics credits. All credits can be taken virtually, in live webcast or on-demand video format, but at least half of the required credits must be completed with synchronous learning courses (Live In-Person, Webcast, Webcast Replay, or Simulcast).

pennsylvania courses



Virginia
Virginia attorneys are required to complete 12 hours of CLE per 1-year reporting period. These 12 hours must include 2 hours of Professionalism or Legal Ethics credits. For questions on specific formats and course accreditation processes, please visit the linked Virginia State Bar website. For PBI courses not already “approved” in Virginia, attorneys can self-apply for Virginia CLE credits.

virginia courses



West Virginia
West Virginia attorneys are required to complete 24 CLE credit hours per 2-year reporting period. These hours must include 3 hours of Ethics, Office Management, Substance Abuse and/or Elimination of Bias credits. While all credits can be completed with virtual CLE, West Virginia requires that a minimum of 12 hours be completed with live Webcasts.

west virginia courses