Who doesn’t love a birthday? Cake, parties, presents…and every attorney’s favorite: time to report your CLE compliance! (Of course, you have until the end of the month, but we know you’re thinking about it already.) If you’re not sure of your status, we can answer your questions!

Hey, I’m new. What do I need to do?

Welcome to the practice of law! If you just got admitted, you are required to watch the Justice James A. Baker Guide to Ethics and Professionalism in Texas, in addition to your mandatory annual CLE requirements.

How many credits do I need every year?

You need to complete 12 General credits and 3 Ethics credits every year by your birthday (check your credit tracker). You have until the end of your birthday month (your “compliance year”) to report.

What if I don’t report on time?

Failure to timely report CLE credit hours could result in a non-compliance penalty of $100, $200 or $300. If you still haven’t reported by the end of the fourth month following your birth month, you will be automatically suspended from the practice of law.

That’s terrifying! What if I forget?

Luckily, two months before the end of your compliance year (your birthday month), the Texas State Bar will send you an MCLE Annual Verification Report, which you should review for accuracy. If you have already completed your 15 credits, and they have been reported accurately, there’s no need to do anything else!

If you completed your credits on Lawline, we report each month’s credits at the end of the month, but if you watch any programs during your birthday month, you may want to self-report—see more information here.

Do I also need to pay my dues to the Texas State Bar right now?

Nope! Your annual dues must be paid before June 1 of every year—regardless of your birthday month. Make sure to be timely—after Aug. 31, you will be suspended and fined 50 percent of your dues, which increases to a 100 percent fine after November. Pay on time, avoid a fine!

Questions? Check out the Texas State Bar’s website. Ready to get started? Here are some state-specific Texas CLE!