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Iowa CLE Requirements and Courses

Detailed jurisdiction information about MCLE regulations and general information accreditation of ABA CLE events, webinars, and on-demand CLE courses

CLE FAQ for Newly-Admitted Attorneys

Want to learn more about CLE generally, and explore CLE webinars and on-demand products specifically for newly-admitted attorneys?

Iowa Newly-Admitted CLE Rules

Iowa newly admitted attorneys must complete an 8-hour Basic Skills course within one year from the date of admission to practice in Iowa. The program must have at least 1 hour of ethics and focus on Iowa law in at least 8 of the following 10 practice areas: Civil Procedure; Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; Family Law; Guardianship, Conservatorships, Trusts, and Powers of Appointment; Business Entities; Probate; Torts; Contracts; Real Estate Transactions; and Ethics and Professionalism.

Iowa General CLE Rules

  • Credit hours required: 15 hours per reporting period 
  • Specialty credits required: 1 hour of legal ethics and 1 hour of either "attorney wellness" or "diversity and inclusion" each year (starting calendar year 2021)
  • Length of reporting period: 1 year
  • Compliance date: December 31
  • Reporting date: March 10
  • Compliance group: All attorneys report annually.
  • Minutes per credit hour: 60 minutes. To calculate credits for a specific program, divide the total length of the program in minutes by 60 and round down to the nearest quarter hour.
  • Distance Learning Requirements:  May take all credits with live webcast or previously recorded.
  • Attendance Reporting Procedure: Attorneys must self-report completion of CLE requirements at the end of each reporting period. Neither the ABA nor attorneys send certificates of attendance for individual programs to the Iowa Commission on CLE.
  • Live Moderated Webinars: Credit is not available in Iowa for ABA programs and sessions listed as live moderated webinars. Credit remains available for live webinars subject to jurisdictional approval.

State Contact Information

Iowa Office of Professional Regulation Commission on CLE, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319 | (515) 348-4698

A Note About MCLE Credit

The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. Each state has its own rules and regulations indicating what qualifies for CLE credit. Please contact your state MCLE regulatory entity for specific questions about your MCLE rules.