Certifying Your MCLE Attendance

Review the information below for general guidance about reporting CLE credit to your record. Visit the Annual MCLE Compliance Information page for specific information about reporting attendance after October 31.

Sponsors are required to distribute Virginia certifications of attendance (Form 2) and teaching (Form 3) to attendees for approved courses. These forms will include all course information including the approved hours and the Virginia course ID number assigned to that program. Virginia course ID numbers are alphanumeric, 7-8 characters in length, and include a unique double-letter identifier for each CLE period. For example, all courses in the 2025 MCLE period included MM as part of the course ID. Note: The Form 3 will not be distributed if the course is not approved for teaching credit.

Attendance should be self-reported online in the member portal. Teaching certificates can be mailed or emailed to [email protected] for processing.

Virginia is a self-reporting state. Attendance lists submitted by sponsors are not accepted and sponsors do not submit certificates of attendance directly to our office. Attorneys are encouraged to report their hours promptly and well before the December 15 reporting deadline.

Certification How-Tos

Online Certification

If you have an attendance form that includes a Virginia course ID number, report your attendance online in your member portal. Keep copies of certificates for at least two years. You do not need to submit a duplicate copy to the MCLE Department.

If a certificate lacks the Virginia course ID number, contact the course provider to request the Virginia certificate of attendance Form 2. The MCLE department does not distribute certificates or provide course ID numbers.

Email Submissions

Certificates of teaching or attendance that cannot be self-reported may be emailed to [email protected] for processing. If you do not receive a response to your email within 10 business days, contact our office to confirm your message was received. Please note that if you are submitting hours for a class change, we request that you submit your certificates directly to the Membership Department with your class change request.

Mail Submissions

Certificates can be mailed to the MCLE department at the address below.

Regulatory Compliance Department - MCLE
Virginia State Bar
1111 E. Main Street, Ste 700
Richmond, Virginia 23219-0026

Fax Submissions

Certificates can be faxed to (804) 775-0544. Your fax confirmation does not confirm our receipt of your certificate. Check your online record to confirm your paperwork was received and processed.

 

Course Sponsors' Certifications

If a course sponsor collects your completed/signed certification of attendance and forwards it to the MCLE office, be sure to keep a copy of the certificate and check your record to confirm the course has been added to your record.

Frequently Asked Questions about Certifying your MCLE Attendance

Where can certification requirements be found in the MCLE Regulations?

MCLE Regulation 108 details certification requirements.

What action do I take if I do not have a certification of attendance?

Contact the MCLE department to confirm that the program has been submitted for accreditation. If the program is pending review, the sponsor cannot provide the certificate until the review is complete and they have been notified of the course decision. If the program is approved, contact the provider directly to request the Virginia Certificate of Attendance Form 2.

If the sponsor is not seeking credit in Virginia on behalf of attorneys, you may apply for credit individually by completing the Application for Course Approval, Form 4 (PDF file).

I received multiple certificates for different programs, but they all include the same course ID number. How do I report these hours?

You’ve likely completed multiple individual segments from a larger seminar. Total the hours completed and report them under one entry using the most recent date of attendance. If you completed all programs on one day, use that date.

I need to edit hours I reported. How can I do this?

Email [email protected] to request the course be removed from your record. Once removed, you should be able to report the correct information. We must have the attorney’s permission to edit a record, so we cannot honor requests which are not submitted by the attorney.

Can the MCLE department send me a certificate for a course I attended?

No, the MCLE department does not distribute attendance forms or course IDs for any program. Course providers are required to provide this information. If you attend a Virginia State Bar sponsored program and need an attendance form, please contact the Bar Programs & Engagement department: [email protected].

Reporting Pro Bono Legal Service Hours for MCLE Credit

What is the new rule for reporting pro bono service for CLE credit?

Effective May 1, 2026, MCLE Regulation 102(h):

An active member of the bar may receive CLE credit for pro bono legal service if such service is performed in one of the three direct legal service categories defined in Rule 6.1 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (poverty law, civil rights law, public interest law) and if the service is referred by a Qualified Legal Services Provider (QLSP) as defined in Part Six, Section IV, Paragraph 3(f) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Credit may be earned at the rate of one (1) hour of standard CLE credit for every four (4) hours of uncompensated legal services performed in accordance with this subpart. No more than five (5) CLE credit hours under this policy can be earned in any one completion period. CLE credit hours claimed from pro bono services qualify as live credit but do not satisfy the legal ethics or professionalism CLE requirement. Pro bono legal service is not subject to the approval standards stated in Regulation 103 or the approval procedures stated in Regulation 104. To receive CLE credit, the lawyer must submit to the MCLE Board an Affirmation of Pro Bono Representation.

How do I report credit for providing pro bono legal services?

Effective May 1, 2026, attorneys may begin reporting qualifying pro bono legal service hours for CLE credit. One (1) hour of credit can be earned for every four (4) hours of service and up to five (5) credit hours may be reported each period. The attorney’s Qualified Legal Service Provider will provide the Affirmation of Pro Bono Representation form which should be completed and emailed to [email protected].

How do I calculate CLE credit for the hours I provided?

To calculate credit, divide the total service hours by ‘4’. Credits may need to be rounded up or down to the nearest half hour. No more than five (5) credits can be claimed in one CLE period.

  • Example 1: An attorney wants to report 11 hours of service: 11 / 4 = 2.75 which rounds up to 3.0 hours of CLE credit.
  • Example 2: An attorney wants to report 5 hours of service: 5 / 4 = 1.25 which rounds up to 1.5 hours of CLE credit.

What type of pro bono legal services qualify?

Review the pro bono reporting FAQ if you have questions about which direct services qualify under Rule 6.1. Additionally, the list of current QLSPs is available here. For questions about Qualified Legal Service Providers, qualifying types of pro bono service, or other similar inquiries, please contact Crista Gantz. [email protected] | (804) 775-0522.