60-minute Credit Hours / 50-minute Credit Hours
MCLE jurisdictions determine credit hours by dividing the running time of instructional programs by either 60 or 50 minutes. For example, a 90-minute program may earn 1.5 hours of CLE credit in a state that bases its credit on a 60-minute credit hour, and 1.8 hours in a state that bases its credit on a 50-minute credit hour. Some states round down credit to the nearest 1/2 or 1/4 hour (i.e., New York, which rounds down to the nearest 1/2 hour, and Illinois, which rounds down to the nearest 1/4 hour).
As of October 2007, the following jurisdictions have a 60-minute credit hour:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginina, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
As of October 2007, the following juridictions have a 50-minute credit hour:
Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
ABA-CLE Streaming Online Courses
MCLE credit is subject to each state's rules and regulations. States differ in their definition of "CLE" and what counts for "ethics," "professionalism," and other specialty credits. Some states do not approve online courses for MCLE credit or have specific rules regarding who may earn credit through distance-learning formats such as online CLE, whether the online CLE counts toward participatory or self-study credit, or the maximum number of credit hours that may be earned through online CLE.
ABA-CLE online courses are generally approved in the following jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington State, and West Virginia.
Programs expire in certain states after the original approval period and may no longer be offered for credit in a particular state. The production or recording date appears below the program description on the registration page.
California Attorneys: Online course accepted for participatory credit in California.
Illinois Attorneys: Online courses produced/recorded after January 1, 2006 accepted for credit in Illinois. Online courses expire in Illinois two years after the original production/recording date and may no longer used for MCLE credit.
Texas Attorneys: Online course accepted for self-study credit only in Texas.
Vermont Attorneys: Online course accepted for self-study credit only in Vermont.
Please contact your state if you have any questions about MCLE compliance and reporting in general.
Many states permit attorneys to use ABA-CLE Audio CD and DVD packages to fulfill some or all of their MCLE requirements. Specific programs and/or self-study formats may or may not be approved for MCLE credit in your state. Most states that allow self-study have a limit on the number of MCLE credit hours that be earned through this distance-learning method, and some states may not allow all attorneys to use self-study to meet their MCLE requirements (i.e., new attorneys may have to satisfy MCLE requirements with live programs only). Check with your state for approval and limits of these formats/programs for MCLE use.
| Jurisdictions That Generally Approve ABA-CLE Audio CD and DVD Packages for Credit | |||
| Jurisdiction | Notes | Jurisdiction | Notes |
| Arizona | Nevada | approved for three years from the original production or recording date | |
| California | New Hampshire | ||
| Colorado | approved for homestudy for two years from the original date of recording or production | New Mexico | |
| Delaware | approved for two years from the original production or recording date | New York | Non-transitional - approved for experienced NY licensed attorneys. The New York State Continuing Legal Education Board has preapproved the MCLE use of all ABACLE |
| Florida | approved for 18 months after the original recording or production date; some programs may be approved for longer periods | North Dakota | |
| Georgia | Oregon | ||
| Idaho | Texas | ||
| Illinois | approved for two years from the original production or recording date; original production or recording date must be after January 1, 2006 | Utah | |
| Kentucky | Vermont | ||
| Maine | Virgin Islands | ||
| Missouri | Washington | ||
| Montana | West Virginia | ||
Downloadable CLE - Audio and Video
Since downloadable audio and video CLE and CLE podcasts are relatively new, the ABA is working with state MCLE accrediting agencies to be sure that downloadable CLE is accredited in as many jurisdictions as possible. Please check with your state to verify that a specific title or format is eligible for CLE credit. Please review a program or product’s description page for clarification on whether or not CLE credit is indicated. Check with your state for approval and limits of these formats/programs for MCLE use.
States that currently accept ABA-CLE’s downloadable CLE for credit include:
| State | Notes |
| California | |
| Colorado | Approved for two years from the original production or recording date |
| Florida | Approved for 18 months from the original production or recording date |
| Illinois | Approved for two years from the original production or recording date; program must have been originally recorded after January 1, 2006 |
| North Carolina | |
| New York | Non-transitional - approved for experienced NY licensed attorneys.
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| Virgin Islands |
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The following jurisdictions accept ABA teleconferences and live audio/video webcasts for MCLE credit. Some states may not approve specific programs or topics. Other restrictions and guidelines may apply. For further information on your jurisdiction's MCLE requirements, contact your regulatory entity.
The following jurisdictions accept ABA teleconferences for mandatory CLE credit:
Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisian, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The following jurisdictions do not currently accept ABA teleconferences for mandatory CLE credit:
Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania