Arizona Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Arizona CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	15 credit hours per educational year
Ethics / Professionalism	3 hours minimum in professional responsibility / ethics
Live / Interactive Minimum	All CLE must meet “interactive” standards (live, webcast, or coded prompts)
Online / Distance Credits	Interactive online courses are allowed; self-study has limits
Compliance Period	July 1 – June 30
Reporting Deadline	September 15 of each year
Carryover Credit	Up to 15 hours may be carried forward; includes up to 3 ethics hours
Exemptions / Special Rules	Inactive, retired, new admittees under certain conditions are exempt
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys must self-report via Arizona Bar’s affidavit / tracking portal

Overview

Arizona’s CLE (also called MCLE) system requires active attorneys to complete 15 credit hours during each educational year, including at least 3 hours of professional responsibility or ethics. The educational cycle runs from July 1 through June 30, and attorneys must file an affidavit of compliance by September 15.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• A total of 15 CLE credit hours are required per year
• At least 3 hours must be in professional responsibility / ethics
• All hours claimed must satisfy the “interactive CLE” standard (e.g. live events, webcasts with checks or prompts, or mechanisms to verify attendance)
• Non-interactive self-study (such as reading or passive replay) is treated more restrictively
• CLE activities may include teaching, writing, bar service, and other approved educational endeavors, subject to Arizona MCLE regulations

Compliance Period

• The educational year is from July 1 to June 30
• All required CLE must be completed during that period
• The affidavit certifying CLE compliance must be filed by September 15 following the end of the period

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys self-report their CLE via the Bar’s CLE Tracking Dashboard and file their affidavit
• CLE events completed through the State Bar are auto-entered into the dashboard
• Filing your affidavit is a separate step—having your events listed is not sufficient alone
• Late filing may incur fees and penalties
• Failure to file on time may result in disciplinary sanctions including summary suspension

Carryover Rules

• Up to 15 CLE hours may be carried forward to the next reporting period
• Up to 3 ethics / professional responsibility hours may also carry forward
• Carried hours retain their classification (i.e., ethics stays ethics)

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Attorneys with inactive, retired, or judicial status may be exempt from CLE reporting
• Newly admitted attorneys: if admitted between July and December, they must complete 10 hours including 2 ethics; if admitted between January and June, no CLE requirement for that first year
• Out-of-state attorneys may claim compliance with another MCLE jurisdiction but must still file the Arizona affidavit
• Hardship waivers may be requested under Arizona’s MCLE regulations

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• Arizona does not pre-approve or certify CLE providers; attorneys must assess whether courses meet interactive CLE standards
• CLE courses should meet Arizona’s Regulation 104 standards (intellectual content, audience, attendance verification, etc.)
• Alternative credit opportunities include teaching, writing, bar service, and judicial education as allowed by the MCLE regulations

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Failure to satisfy CLE or to file the affidavit may lead to disciplinary procedures
• Attorneys may receive a notice to show cause, and persistent noncompliance can lead to suspension
• Reinstatement depends on submitting proof of compliance, paying fees, and curing deficiencies

How to Report CLE in Arizona

1. Log in to your Arizona Bar Member Dashboard
2. Review your CLE Tracking Dashboard and ensure all qualifying events are entered
3. Click “File Affidavit” once your CLE obligations are met
4. Submit the affidavit by September 15
5. If needed, pay late or delinquent fees
6. Keep documentation of all CLE credits for audit purposes

Arizona CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Arizona?

15 hours per educational year, including at least 3 in professional responsibility / ethics.

Can I complete all my CLE online?

Yes, provided the program is interactive (with prompts, checks, or verification). Pure passive content may not qualify.

How many ethics hours are required?

3 hours in professional responsibility / ethics.

Can I carry over unused credits?

Yes. Up to 15 credits may carry forward, including up to 3 ethics hours.

Who is exempt from CLE?

Inactive, retired, or judicial status attorneys may be exempt. Also, attorneys admitted in the latter half of the year may have reduced or no requirement for that first year.

What happens if I fail to file my affidavit on time?

You may incur late fees, face disciplinary action, or be subject to summary suspension for noncompliance.

Do CLE providers need approval from Arizona?

No. Arizona doesn’t preapprove CLE providers. Attorneys must ensure courses meet the state’s interactive CLE standards.

Arizona CLE Resources

• Arizona Bar MCLE / CLE Page: https://www.azbar.org/licensing-compliance/mcle/
• Arizona MCLE Regulations (PDF): https://www.azbar.org/media/lyyoizl2/mcle-regulations-effective-july-1-2019.pdf
• Arizona MCLE FAQs: https://www.azbar.org/licensing-compliance/mcle/mcle-faqs/
• Arizona MCLE Affidavit Filing Instructions: https://www.azbar.org/licensing-compliance/mcle/mcle-affidavit-filing-instructions/