Continuing Legal Education
Changes to CLE Requirements
Significant changes to the continuing legal education requirements for members of the State Bar of Georgia will become effective Jan. 1, 2026, by Supreme Court of Georgia order.
Highlights of the most important changes are below:
- Biennial CLE requirement (every 2 years) instead of an annual CLE requirement
- First biennial compliance period (Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027)
- CLE requirement for the biennial compliance period:
- 18 CLE hours (including 3 ethics hours and 2 professionalism hours)
- Eliminated the trial hours requirement for trial lawyers
- Added a certification requirement when hours are completed for the compliance period. (Lawyers will attest on their online CLE transcript that the CLE hours attended were hours in the lawyer’s area of practice or in an area that will benefit their practice and clients.)
- CLE exemption for any active member having reached 40 years as an active member of the State Bar of Georgia without having been suspended or disbarred for violating the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. The exemption begins in the compliance period immediately following the lawyer’s eligibility.
Note: Active lawyers must complete their 2025 CLE requirement (12 CLE hours, including 1 ethics hour and 1 professionalism hour) with a deadline of March 31, 2026. After completion of the 2025 CLE hours requirement, the new CLE rules will be in effect for active lawyers.
This represents a significant change to the current CLE requirement process, and we are here to provide as much information as possible ahead of the implementation date to ensure that you are prepared for the new procedures.
Reach out to cle@gabar.org with questions or concerns. You can also call the CLE Department at 404-527-8710. We are here to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the new process? Check out our list of frequently asked questions. We will update this list as warranted.
In each biennial compliance period, active, non-exempt lawyers must complete 18 CLE hours, including 3 ethics hours and 2 professionalism hours.
In June 2024, the Board of Governors voted to revise Part VIII of the Bar Rules governing Continuing Legal Education (CLE). This action followed an extensive review by representatives from the Bar’s Executive, Finance, Office of the General Counsel, CLE and ICLE departments. Their analysis considered potential improvements to the CLE framework and reflected ongoing dialogue with members of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
The evaluation also drew from the Georgia Lawyer Competency Task Force Report. Established in March 2021 by former Chief Justice Harold Melton, the Task Force was charged with assessing current admission and competency standards for Georgia lawyers, including CLE requirements, and exploring potential reforms.
The proposed rule revisions were discussed at the 2024 Spring Board of Governors Meeting, and after further debate and member input, a final version was approved at the 2024 Annual Meeting for submission to the Supreme Court of Georgia.
The new CLE Rules can be found in the Supreme Court order here. The State Bar of Georgia online handbook will be updated to reflect the new rules on or after Dec. 4.
Yes, you can complete all or any portion of your hours through approved online CLE programs.
Jan. 1, 2026.
The old CLE rules are in effect for every active, non-exempt lawyer until their 2025 CLE requirement is complete. The 2025 CLE requirement remains 12 CLE hours including 1 ethics hour, 1 professionalism hour and 3 trial hours (for trial lawyers). Lawyers can carry up to 12 CLE hours including 2 ethics and 2 professionalism hours from 2025 into the new compliance period.
Each CLE compliance period is two years. The first compliance period under the new CLE rules is Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027.
Dec. 31 of every odd year.
Dec. 31, 2027.
The lawyer has 45 days after the deadline to cure any CLE deficiencies or to reconcile their CLE transcript during which time no late fee may be imposed. On Feb. 15 after the compliance deadline, a $200 late fee will be assessed. On May 1 after the compliance deadline, a list of lawyers who have not met their CLE requirements and paid all late fees will be sent to the Supreme Court of Georgia for CLE suspension.
Yes, 18 CLE hours including 3 ethics hours and 2 professionalism hours can carry from one compliance period to the succeeding CLE compliance period.
No, trial CLE hours are no longer a mandatory requirement for trial lawyers.
No, trial observation cannot be approved for CLE hours under the new CLE rules.
A lawyer who falls in any of the following categories is exempt from CLE:
- Inactive membership status
- Judge prohibited by law, statute or ordinance from engaging in the practice of law
- State or federal elected officials
- Board of Bar Examiners member exemption
- Active military duty with the United States Armed Forces
- Out of State (did not practice law in Georgia during the compliance period or completed CLE requirement in resident state)
- 40 years as an active member of the State Bar of Georgia without having been suspended or disbarred for violating the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct
- Hardship
The exemption begins in the compliance period immediately following the lawyer’s eligibility.
No, however, any member having reached the age of 70 prior to Jan. 1, 2026, remains exempt from CLE requirements.