MCLE Rules Changes
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued an order temporarily suspending the cap on CLE credits earned with on demand programming. The order is effective through December 31, 2020. Wisconsin attorneys may now complete all 30 hours of their requirement online through webinars or on demand programming.
MCLE Requirements
Credit hours required: 30 hours per reporting period
Specialty credits required: 3 hours ethics credit per reporting period
Length of reporting period: 2 years
Compliance date: December 31
Reporting date: February 1
Compliance group: There are 2 compliance groups. Attorneys admitted in an even-numbered year report in even-numbered years. Attorneys admitted in an odd-numbered year report in odd-numbered years.
Minutes per credit hour: 50 minutes. To calculate credit for a specific program, divide the total length of the program in minutes by 50 and round down to the nearest half hour.
Limit on credit hours for recorded programs: Attorneys can earn up to 15 CLE hours via recorded online programs. Attorneys can not earn ethics or professional responsibility CLE hours via recorded programs.
Attendance Reporting Procedure: Attorneys in Wisconsin must report earned CLE credits to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners. Click here for CLE reporting information.
Approval of ABA Programs
ABA general credit CLE programs are pre-approved in Wisconsin. The ABA applies for accreditation of ethics and professional responsibility programs on a program-by-program basis. The ABA is approved for the following formats.
Approved ABA Live Program Formats
Live, in-person meetings (e.g., National Institutes)
Live Webinars and Teleconferences
Approved ABA CLE Product Formats
On-Demand Online Courses
On-demand online courses are approved through December 31 of the year after the year in which the program was accredited. SCR 31.05(5)(a)(1)
State Contact Information
Supreme Court of Wisconsin
Board of Bar Examiners
110 East Main Street, Ste. 715
P.O. Box 2748
Madison, WI 53701-2748
(608) 266-9760
Website
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. Certain programs, subjects, and formats may not receive credit in some states and there may be specific rules regarding who may earn credit or the maximum number of credit hours that may be earned with specific formats. Please contact your state MCLE regulatory entity for specific questions about your MCLE rules.