My organization is producing a CLE program. How can we get our program accredited? Does the ABA accredit programs?
The ABA is not an accrediting body or regulatory agency, but a provider of continuing legal education to the legal community at large. CLE accreditation is given on a state-by-state basis. There is no nationwide accreditation since the MCLE programs are administered by the state supreme courts through a special CLE commission or board.
Overall, the process for MCLE accreditation is a lengthy one, requiring about two to three months of advance preparation. Each state with an MCLE requirement administers its own program with its own distinct set of rules, regulations, and sponsor fees. Therefore, a CLE provider seeking MCLE accreditation of its programs must apply to each state individually.
Individual attorneys may also request accreditation from their particular states after the program has taken place by providing course materials, a special application, and possibly a small fee. Again, each state has its own procedure. To learn more, visit the website of the Continuing Legal Education Regulators Association (CLEreg), which contains links to individual MCLE state websites where you may download or review the MCLE rules and regulations. You will also find contact names, addresses and telephone numbers for jurisdiction regulators, and a Uniform Application for Accreditation.