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Provider Options and Requirements for Course Accreditation Beginning July 13, 2010, Provider course accreditation will be processed through PCAM, the MCLE Board's online Provider Course Accreditation Management system. For all Providers and Accredited CLE Provider who have received an email containing login information, PCAM's login link is available in the upper right corner of all pages on our website. New Providers or Providers who have not applied for 2010 courses, should click the Provider Registration link available in the upper right corner of all pages on our website and complete the form to obtain a login and access to PCAM. More >
Option 1: Apply to Become an Accredited CLE Provider A CLE provider experienced in offering high-quality legal education programs for attorneys can apply to accredit all its courses, regardless of location, as an Accredited CLE Provider. Accredited CLE Provider status may be granted at the discretion of the Board to providers satisfying the following requirements:
To maintain Accredited CLE Provider status, the provider needs to: 1) pay an annual fee; 2) submit an annual report listing all of its CLE courses presented throughout the annual accreditation period; and 3) if the provider charges attorneys an attendance fee, pay the $1.00 per hour/per Illinois attorney fee. Continued accreditation is continual based on review and approval of the provider's annual report. Accredited CLE Provider Responsibilities (PDF) revised July, 2010 Option 2: Applying to Accredit a Course Through An Individual Course Application A CLE provider can apply to accredit a course on a per course basis. This option is likely most suitable for the occasional provider. Providers submit all of the course information online using the Provider Course Accreditation Management system ("PCAM"). For each application, the correct application fee must be paid. If the application or fee are submitted on the day that the course begins and up to 60 days thereafter, a $25.00 late fee must also be paid. Beginning July 13, 2010, applications and required documentation must be submitted into PCAM. Paper submissions are not reviewed. Paper submissions are destroyed 30 days after receipt and are returned only at the sender's request and cost. For prior approval, an individual course application must be submitted no less than 45 days before the date that the course is scheduled to begin. Rule 795(c)(1). Fees submitted without a complete application will not secure a timely application filing. The MCLE Board will not refund or credit applicants for individual course application fees or late fees when an application is denied. When an application is submitted more than 60 days after the course start date, the course is ineligible for accreditation so the application will be denied on that basis with no refund of the application fee or late fee. Individual Course Provider Responsibilities (PDF) revised July, 2010Basic Skills Course Accreditation Any provider (including Accredited CLE Providers) who wish to present a Basic Skills Course for newly admitted Illinois attorneys must submit the course in PCAM. A Basic Skills Course is a 15 hour integrated program comprised of specific topics. The application must include a planned cirriculum. For advanced accreditation the application must be submitted 45 days in advance. Application fees vary depending on whether a provider is applying as an Accredited CLE Provider or applies for Individual Course accreditation. Illinois Supreme Court MCLE Fee Schedule.
Providers who charge attorneys to attend an accredited CLE course is responsible for paying a $1.00 per hour/per Illinois attorney fee. The Board continues to work on developing an on-line process to collect this fee. In the meantime, the procedure is as follows:
Annual Report (Accredited CLE Providers only) Annual Reports from Accredited CLE Providers who selected January 1st as their accreditation start date should submit an annual report by January 31st of the following year covering CLE courses held January 1 - December 31. Annual Reports from Accredited CLE Providers who selected July 1st as their accreditation start date should submit an annual report by July 31st of the following year covering CLE courses held July 1 - June 30. More > Delivery Methods and Interactivity Interactivity is a key component to all CLE programs. It is recommended that individual course providers and Accredited CLE Providers request all anticipated delivery methods on the initial application form. Individual course providers who seek to add delivery methods after accreditation has been issued will be required to submit a new application and fee for the additional delivery method. Accredited CLE Providers will need to send an email titled "Request to Amend Accredited CLE Provider Status" and may be subject to a revision in their annual fee based on the amount of programs offered in an annual period. More > Required Financial Hardship Policy All providers applying to accredit courses either through Accredited CLE Provider status or individual course applications must have a financial hardship policy. The policy addresses those attorneys who wish to attend its courses, but for whom the cost would be a financial hardship. MCLE Rule 795(f). Providers must give each participant an opportunity to complete evaluation questionnaires addressing each CLE course's content, instruction and written materials. More > The provider must keep the course materials for three years. More > |
