What Are the CLE Requirements for New York Attorneys?

Experienced New York attorneys must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of accredited continuing legal education in each two-year reporting cycle.

Newly admitted attorneys follow a separate transitional schedule of 32 credits in their first two years, 16 credit hours in each year.

Both requirements sit in the New York CLE rules: 22 NYCRR 1500.22 for experienced attorneys and 22 NYCRR 1500.12 for newly admitted ones.

For experienced attorneys, the rule requires at least 4 credits in ethics and professionalism, 1 credit in diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias, and 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy and data protection each cycle; the cybersecurity requirement took effect July 1, 2023.

Newly admitted attorneys have a different mix: each year needs 3 ethics credits, 6 skills credits and 7 credits in practice management and professional practice, with at least 1 cybersecurity credit across the two years combined.

The diversity credit sits in the experienced-attorney rule; the newly admitted rule our research reviewed does not list one.

The rule sections we captured also do not list a separate wellness credit, so confirm the current credit types with the CLE Board.

New York ties the CLE cycle to attorney registration.

The biennial reporting cycle is the two-year period between the dates the attorney submits their biennial registration statement, and that registration is filed within 30 days after the attorney's birthday every two years.

Our research did not capture the mechanics of reporting completed credits, such as how courses are documented or certified, so confirm the reporting process with the CLE Board.

Attorneys in their first two years after admission complete transitional education: a minimum of 32 credit hours, 16 in each year.

Each year must include 3 ethics credits, 6 skills credits and 7 credits in practice management and professional practice, and the two years together must include at least 1 cybersecurity credit.

Excess credits from the transitional years carry forward on their own limits — up to 8 from year one into year two, and up to 6 from year two into the first biennial cycle.

The transitional rule is restrictive on format.

A newly admitted attorney cannot count courses in nontraditional formats — self-study, correspondence work, videotapes, audiotapes, motion picture presentations or online programs — toward transitional credit without prior permission from the CLE Board.

Our research captured that limit in the newly admitted rule; the vault does not establish what format limits apply to experienced attorneys, so check the CLE Board's current rules before counting online or on-demand courses.

Excess credits roll forward, within limits.

Experienced attorneys may carry over a maximum of 6 credits to the next biennial reporting cycle.

Newly admitted attorneys may carry up to 8 excess first-year credits into year two, and up to 6 excess second-year credits into their first biennial cycle.

Our research did not capture exemption categories in the New York CLE rules we reviewed, so ask the CLE Board before assuming an exemption applies.

Our research did not find what happens when a New York attorney misses the CLE deadline.

The material we reviewed sets the hours, credit types and reporting cycle but does not describe penalties, grace periods or how a late cycle is brought back into compliance.

The CLE Board administers the requirement, so it is the body to ask what a missed deadline means.