Stand-Alone Credits

MCLE regulations require attorneys to attend a minimum of four (4.0) credit hours of live-interactive programming as part of their annual CLE requirement. Live programs are defined as courses where there is simultaneous, live interaction with the course presenter(s) during the program. Traditional live on-site programs and live programs delivered via telephone,webcast, or videoconference meet the live requirement.

The MCLE department maintains a searchable list of approved live courses on the Current Approved MCLE Courses page. The list updates automatically as programs are approved.

Live Requirement

What types of courses are considered Live programs?

Programs which include real-time live interaction with the course presenter are designated as Live on your MCLE record and include:

  • Traditional live in-person programs.
  • Programs delivered via telephone, webcast, or videoconference where there is an opportunity to interact with the speaker in real time during the program.
  • Other types of courses may be approved if the attendees and the presenter(s) can interact in real time. These are considered by the Board on a case-by-case basis.

What are the limitations on pre-recorded programs?

For compliance purposes, you may only use 8.0 hours from pre-recorded programs to meet your annual MCLE requirement.

What types of courses are considered pre-recorded?

Pre-recorded programs include courses provided by any electronic means that do not include simultaneous, live interaction with the presenter. For example:

  • On-demand programs, CD-ROM, Video/DVD and Audio/CD presentations.
  • Other formats that do not have simultaneous, live interaction with the course presenter(s).

May I carry over hours earned via pre-recorded programs?

Yes. Attorneys may carry forward 12.0 CLE hours including 2.0 ethics/professionalism hours and 4.0 live-interactive hours. Up to 8.0 hours (including ethics) may be from pre-recorded programs.

Effective November 1, 2011


Ethics Requirement

Attorneys must attend a minimum of two (2.0) credit hours of ethics or professionalism as part of their annual CLE requirement. Essentially, ethics and professionalism programs focus on either legal ethics issues specific to attorneys or subject matter included in the Virginia’s Principles of Professionalism.

Notably, programs do not have to focus on Virginia-specific ethics or professionalism topics. Additionally, other codes of professional responsibility that are specific to attorneys may receive ethics/professionalism credit so long as other requirements for CLE are met.

Where do I find the definition of ethics credit?

Please see Regulations 101(s) and 103(d) in the MCLE Regulations. See also MCLE Board Opinion 13.

Where do I find the definition of professionalism credit?

Please see Regulations 101(t) and 103(d) in the MCLE Regulations.

Well-being Requirement

In April 2019, Rule 17 was updated to include the following:

(4) Beginning November 1, 2019, each active member of the Virginia State Bar shall certify whether they have attended, within the past three (3) years, at least one (1) credit hour of lawyer well-being education related to the practice of law. Failure to comply with this rule shall not subject the member to the penalties of Paragraph 13.2 of these rules.

CLE credit is regularly approved for lawyer well-being courses. Sponsors can specifically request approval of this credit and if approved, attorneys can report this credit to their records.

Where do I find the definition of well-being credit?

Please see Regulations 101(u) and 103(c)(2) in the MCLE Regulations. See also MCLE Board Opinion 19.

How do I certify attendance at a well-being program?

If you attend a program that has approved well-being credit, the certificate of attendance given to you by the sponsor will reflect that information. The credit can be reported online.