Washington CLE Requirements

To comply with Washington, D.C. CLE requirements, attorneys must complete 45 CLE credit hours every three years. This ensures they remain informed and competent in their legal practices.

The deadline to complete CLE credits under the Washington D.C. CLE requirements is December 31st of the last year of each attorney's reporting period.

CLE credits must be reported by February 1st following the end of the reporting period, allowing attorneys a brief window after the December 31st deadline to organize and submit their credits.

Under the Washington D.C. CLE requirements, attorneys must complete at least 6 hours in ethics, including 1 hour specifically dedicated to equity, inclusion, and mitigating implicit and explicit bias in the legal profession and law practice.

All required CLE credits in Washington, D.C., can be completed online. However, no more than 8 credits can be earned daily.

In Washington, D.C., attorneys may carry up to 30 total credits, including up to 4 ethics credits. However, due to temporary changes, this enhanced carryover limit applies only for the extended 2018-2021 reporting period.

The Washington Bar requires additional credit types beyond general and ethics credits. Washington attorneys must complete at least six ethics credits every three years, including at least one credit each in equity, inclusion, and mitigating bias.

In Washington, D.C., attorneys must self-report their CLE hours earned through online and on-demand courses via the Washington State Bar Association’s portal at login.wsba.org.

Newly admitted attorneys in Washington, D.C., are exempt from the CLE requirement during the first year of their admission and the following calendar year. This gives new attorneys time to adjust to their professional responsibilities before starting their CLE education.

Depending on state rules, excess credits may sometimes be carried forward to the next compliance period. It’s best to check with your state’s bar association to understand how to manage excess CLE credits.

Engaging in a diverse range of CLE courses can significantly enhance your understanding and approach to law, potentially leading to improved client outcomes, greater efficiency in practice, and a better reputation in the legal community.