Washington CLE Requirements

Whether you’re an experienced or newly admitted Washington attorney, here’s what you need to know about the WA CLE rules and how to get your Washington CLE Requirements fulfilled with a Knowledge Group CLE Bundle.

Washington CLE Requirements: All attorneys admitted to practice in Washington shall complete forty-five (45) credit hours of continuing legal education including at least fifteen (15) credit hours in the subject of law and legal procedure and at least six (6) credit hours of ethics and professional responsibility.

Members of Washington State Bar Association are divided into three MCLE reporting groups based upon year of admission:

Reporting GroupYear AdmittedReporting Period
Group 11975 or earlier, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019*2017-2019

2020-2022*

Group 21976-1983, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 20172018-2020
Group 31984-1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2018*2016-2018

2019-2021*

Compliance Cycle: Every three years

WA CLE Requirements Approval of Programs: The Knowledge Group does not automatically submit CLE application for all our programs in Washington. Attendees seeking approved credits shall register at least 20 days prior to the event. For more information, send an email to [email protected]

Program Format: The Knowledge Group LIVE Webcasts qualify as live courses in Washington. There is no limit to the number of credits a Washington attorney can earn via live programs. View our list of LIVE Webcasts.

The Knowledge Group Recorded Webcasts qualify as A/V courses in Washington. “A/V” courses are pre-recorded CLE courses that qualify for self-study credits. Attorneys are limited to twenty-two and one-half (22.5) credit hours of A/V courses per reporting period. View our list of Recorded Webcasts.

WA CLE Reporting Procedure: The Knowledge Group submits attendance report for approved courses to Washington State Board of CLE.

For Newly Admitted Attorneys

Washington CLE Requirements For Newly Admitted Attorneys: Newly-admitted attorneys in the state of Washington are exempt for the calendar year of admission.

COVID-19 Update: Effective June 5, 2020, the Washington Supreme Court ordered an extension of the due date for reporting MCLE credits by one year for licensed legal professionals in the 2018-2020 MCLE reporting period. Licensed legal professionals in the extended 2018-2021 reporting period must complete earning their credits by December 31, 2021, and must complete the certification of their credits by February 1, 2022.

The next reporting period will be a shortened two year reporting period: 2022-2023.  As a result, the order allows for the additional 15 carryover credits (30 total carryover credits, up to 4 of which may be ethics) to be earned in the extended 2018-2021 reporting period. The increased credit carryover limit applies only for the 2018-2021 reporting period.

For more information regarding WA CLE Requirements, contact Washington State Board of CLE at:

Washington State Board of CLE
Washington State Bar Association
1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600
Seattle, WA  98101-2539
Phone: (800) 945-9722
Website: www.wsba.org