MCLE Requirements in Illinois

General Information

The Supreme Court of Illinois Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board website provides detailed MCLE information for attorneys licensed in Illinois, as well as expanded information for CLE course providers.

In September 2005, the Supreme Court of Illinois took the significant step of establishing minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements for Illinois attorneys under Supreme Court Rules 790-798. As part of that important undertaking, the Court created the MCLE Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois to administer the MCLE program, and the Commission on Professionalism to address issues of professionalism.

The Illinois State Bar Association is accredited by the Illinois Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board to provide MCLE programs in Illinois. As a private, not for profit voluntary bar association, the ISBA has no role in the administration or enforcement of the Illinois Supreme Court Rule requiring MCLE. MCLE is administered by a board appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, and that Board's staff, including a Director of MCLE.

MCLE Reporting Requirements and Deadlines

First Letter of Last Name

First Reporting Period

Second Reporting Period

Subsequent Reporting Period

A through M

July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008
20 hours required

July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010
24 hours required

Two-Year Period Beginning July 1 of Even Numbered Years
30 Hours required

N through Z

July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009
20 hours required

July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011
24 hours required

Two-Year Period Beginning July 1 of Odd Numbered Years
30 hours required
  • A minimum of four hours must be in the area of professionalism, diversity, mental illness and addiction, civility or legal ethics.
  • Up to 10 MCLE credits earned prior to the beginning of your reporting period can be carried into your two-year reporting period, except professional responsibility credits.
  • Different rules apply to newly admitted attorneys subject to the Basic Skills requirement

Questions?

The MCLE Board's FAQ page will be able to answer your questions regarding:

  • What is MCLE?
  • Who administers the MCLE program?
  • What are my MCLE requirements?
  • What are the standards for course accreditation?
  • Has the MCLE Board adopted regulations?
  • And many others!

If you have any questions regarding the MCLE rules, please contact the Illinois MCLE Board.