Illinois MCLE Board: Provider Options and Requirements for Course Accreditation


Course Accreditation Provider FAQs Fee Schedule Forms for Providers MCLE Rules: Supreme Court of Illinois		Provider Options and Requirements for Course Accreditation Option 1: Accredited CLE Provider Option 2: Individual Course Provider Basic Skills Course Accreditation Application Fees Attendance Fees Annual Report (Accredited CLE Providers only) Delivery Methods and Interactivity Financial Hardship Policy Course Evaluations Provider Records 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 its courses as an Accredited CLE Provider. The MCLE Board may grant Accredited CLE Provider status to providers who establish: it has presented, within the past two years, at least five separate courses or activities of CLE which meet the standards of the MCLE Rules and the Board’s Provider FAQs; or its CLE courses or activities have consistently met the MCLE Rules and the Board’s standards set in the Board’s Provider FAQs. The provider needs to take two steps to apply for Accredited CLE Provider status: complete and submit Form 2 , along with all requested materials, to the Board via e-mail at mcle@mcleboard.org; and mail the proper fee (check or money order) with a printed copy of Form 2 (but not the attachments) to the postal address in the instructions. To determine the proper fee, refer to the Fee Schedule. An application must be complete, including payment, before it is reviewed for accreditation. To maintain Accredited CLE Provider status, the provider needs to: 1) pay an annual fee; 2) submit an annual report; 3) if the provider charges attorneys an attendance fee, pay the $1.00 per hour/per Illinois attorney fee; and 4) apply to renew the status after two years and, thereafter, at three-year intervals. Up to top Option 2: Applying to Accredit a Course Through An Individual Course Application A CLE provider can apply to accredit a course through an individual course application. This option is likely most suitable for the occasional provider. The provider needs to complete and submit Form 1 . With each application, the provider also must submit: a timed agenda; brief faculty credentials; and either a written description of each session or the course materials (if the materials are voluminous, a representative sample of no more than 25 to 50 pages). Submit Form 1 and its attachments to the Board via e-mail at apps@mcleboard.org; and Mail the proper fee and a printed copy of its completed Form 1 (but not the supporting attachments) to the postal address listed in the Form 1 instructions. To determine the proper fee, consult the fee schedule on the Board's web site. Up to top Basic Skills Course Accreditation Any provider (including Accredited CLE Providers) who wishes to present a Basic Skills Course for newly admitted Illinois attorneys can complete Form 1 for individual course accreditation. 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. Up to top Application Fees 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. Accredited CLE Providers are responsible for an annual fee based on the amount of courses presented during the accreditation year and whether or not the provider charges attorneys an attendance fee or not; or Individual Course Providers are responsible for an individual application fee. This fee can be $20, $30 or $50. Up to top Attendance Fees 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: Accredited CLE Providers pay this fee upon submission of their annual report; and Individual Course Providers of 2007 courses will be contacted by email and required to complete and submit a short report along with the fee. Fee collection for 2008 courses will be announced, please keep posted to this website. Up to top 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 > Up to top 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 > Up to top 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). Up to top Course Evaluations Providers must give each participant an opportunity to complete evaluation questionnaires addressing each CLE course's content, instruction and written materials. More > Up to top Provider Records The provider must keep the course materials for three years. More > Up to top
Thank you for your interest in Illinois MCLE. General questions, suggestions or comments? Contact Us
Think Green The office of the MCLE Board is paperless. We are committed to accepting and processing applications and related communications electronically. Instructions are on the relevant application. Paper submissions will be destroyed after 30 days and returned only at the applicant's request and cost. If you encounter difficulties with an electronic submission, please contact the office before making the submission.