See below for answers to common questions about Continuing Legal Education Requirements.
CLER, or Continuing Legal Education Requirement, was adopted by the Supreme Court of Florida in 1988 and requires all members of The Florida Bar to continue their legal education.
Over a 3-year period, each member must complete 33 hours, 5 of which must be in the area of ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, mental illness awareness, or bias elimination and 3 hours of technology.
Please note: It is the responsibility of the member to report CLE credit and to complete the CLER requirement. Each member should be aware of all deadlines and obligations to The Florida Bar.
Rule 6-10 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar sets out the requirement. All the rules and policies may be found on this page of the website.
Members may request CLE credit for attending or completing a program by submitting an application for course attendance credit. The completed application(s) may be submitted via email at [email protected] or fax at 850/561-9421.
At least three months prior to the end of your reporting cycle, you will receive an email notifying you of your reporting requirements and the impending due date.
You must report your completed courses online using the reference number received at the completion of the course.
You run the risk of being deemed a delinquent member which prohibits you from engaging in the practice of Florida law.
A list of the programs by The Florida Bar is available on the website.
Courses approved by other state bars are generally acceptable for use toward satisfying CLER. The completed application(s) or certificate(s) of completion may be submitted via email at [email protected] or fax at 850/561-9421.
Credit may be earned by:
1) Lecturing at an approved CLE program
2) Serving as a workshop leader or panel member
3) Writing and publishing in a professional publication or journal
4) Teaching (graduate law or law school courses)
5) University attendance (graduate law or law school courses)
The completed application(s) may be submitted via email at [email protected] or fax at 850/561-9421.
Rule 6-10.3(c) lists all valid exemptions. They are:
1) Active Military Service
2) Undue Hardship (upon approval by the BLSE)
3) Nonresident membership (see rule for details)
4) Full-time federal judiciary
5) Justices of the Supreme Court of Florida and judges of district, circuit and county courts
6) Inactive members of The Florida Bar
The completed exemption form may be submitted via email at [email protected] or fax at 850/561-9421.
Contact Information: Email: [email protected]
Phone: 850/561-5842
Fax: 850/561-9421