Washington CLE requirements
Whether you're an experienced Washington attorney or newly admitted, here's what you need to know about Washington’s mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements.
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Washington CLE requirements - general information
| General information | |
|---|---|
| CLE credit requirement | 45 credits every 3 years |
| Categories | 24 Any category |
| CLE compliance deadline | COVID-19 Update: The Supreme Court of Washington has extended the reporting period for those in Group 2 (reporting period 2018-2020) to December 31, 2021. The next reporting period will be a shortened two year reporting period: 2022-2023. The order allows for the additional 15 carryover credits (30 total carryover credits, up to 4 of which may be ethics) to be earned in the extended reporting period. December 31 |
| CLE reporting deadline | February 1 |
| Approved Quimbee formats | Quimbee CLE courses for Washington attorneys are coming soon. Click here to be notified via email. On-demand |
| Carryover | 15 credits, including 2 ethics CLE credits |
| CLE reporting instructions | Washington attorneys self-report attendance using the MCLE Online System. |
Washington CLE requirements
What is my requirement as a Washington-licensed attorney?
Washington attorneys must complete 45 credits, including 15 law and legal procedure credits and 6 ethics CLE credits, every 3 years.
How can Quimbee help me complete my CLE requirement?
Quimbee CLE courses for Washington attorneys are coming soon. Click here to be notified via email.
Washington attorneys can complete all 45 credits through Quimbee’s on-demand courses.
How else can I earn CLE credit?
Attend approved, live CLE courses.
Attend bar review courses for jurisdictions other than Washington.
Attend law school courses.
Teach an approved CLE course.
Publish legal writing.
Teach law school classes.
Perform pro bono services.
Participate in a mentoring program.
Judge and prepare students for moot court, mock trials, and recognized competitions.
When must I complete my CLE requirement?
COVID-19 Update: The Supreme Court of Washington has extended the reporting period for those in Group 2 (reporting period 2018-2020) to December 31, 2021. The next reporting period will be a shortened two year reporting period: 2022-2023. The order allows for the additional 15 carryover credits (30 total carryover credits, up to 4 of which may be ethics) to be earned in the extended reporting period.
Washington attorneys must complete their requirements by December 31 of their reporting year.
Group 1 (2020-2022)
Group 2 (2018-2020)
Group 3 (2019-2021)
Can I carry over credit from my last reporting cycle?
Yes, up to 15 credits, including 2 ethics CLE credits, may be carried over to the following reporting cycle.
Newly Admitted Attorneys
I'm a new attorney. When do I report CLE credit?
Newly admitted Washington attorneys are exempt from the CLE requirement during the calendar year in which they are admitted.
CLE compliance and reporting
When do I report the CLE credits that I have earned?
Washington attorneys must report CLE credits by February 1 following their reporting year.
How do I report the CLE credits that I have earned?
Washington attorneys must self-report their attendance using the MCLE Online System.
Resources
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Borderline Personality Disorder: Pre-plea and Pre-sentence Criminal Mitigation Strategies
In this course, attorney and forensic expert Mark Silver delves into criminal mitigation strategies for the client suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder is among the least understood, and yet perhaps the most important mental health issues for criminal defense lawyers. As many as 6% of the population carry the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and the criteria for this mental health issue provide profound understanding regarding the criminal defendant's decision-making, behaviors and conduct, emotional instability, erratic conduct, impulsivity, depression and low self-esteem, and related matters. It is crucial for the criminal defense lawyer to be able to recognize borderline personality disorder in clients and know when to refer the case for an evaluation and/or how to use aspects of this disorder for mitigation purposes.Borderline Personality Disorder: Pre-plea and Pre-sentence Criminal Mitigation Strategies
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What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Attorneys in firms of all sizes – from solo practitioners to lawyers are multinational Big Law firms - face a number of ethical issues relating to cybersecurity, and preserving the confidentiality and security of their clients’ data. Contrary to what some lawyers may believe, law firms are often a valuable target for hackers because they can hold vast collections of sensitive and highly valuable client-related data. These cybersecurity threats come from individual hackers, international cybercriminals, and even a firm’s own attorneys and other employees. This program provides a basic primer on attorneys’ ethical obligations to understand and address the cybersecurity risks they face, and provides practical advice for attorneys in addressing issues that arise will undoubtedly arise in their legal practice.
Conducting Workplace Investigations for Better Businesses
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In this course, attorney and forensic expert Mark Silver delves into criminal mitigation strategies for the client suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder is among the least understood, and yet perhaps the most important mental health issues for criminal defense lawyers. As many as 6% of the population carry the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and the criteria for this mental health issue provide profound understanding regarding the criminal defendant's decision-making, behaviors and conduct, emotional instability, erratic conduct, impulsivity, depression and low self-esteem, and related matters. It is crucial for the criminal defense lawyer to be able to recognize borderline personality disorder in clients and know when to refer the case for an evaluation and/or how to use aspects of this disorder for mitigation purposes.Borderline Personality Disorder: Pre-plea and Pre-sentence Criminal Mitigation Strategies
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What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Attorneys in firms of all sizes – from solo practitioners to lawyers are multinational Big Law firms - face a number of ethical issues relating to cybersecurity, and preserving the confidentiality and security of their clients’ data. Contrary to what some lawyers may believe, law firms are often a valuable target for hackers because they can hold vast collections of sensitive and highly valuable client-related data. These cybersecurity threats come from individual hackers, international cybercriminals, and even a firm’s own attorneys and other employees. This program provides a basic primer on attorneys’ ethical obligations to understand and address the cybersecurity risks they face, and provides practical advice for attorneys in addressing issues that arise will undoubtedly arise in their legal practice.