Attorney FAQs

• How do I find my ARDC Number?

• What if I do not know my MCLE password or the one I have is not working?

• How do I unlock my account?

• How can an attorney get either a letter of good standing or proof of MCLE compliance?

• What contact information does the MCLE Board use when sending me notices about my MCLE requirements?

• Which attorneys admitted under a limited Illinois license are subject to the MCLE Requirements?

• What are the MCLE Requirements for the 2019-2021 Reporting Period?

• How do I report my compliance for the 2019-2021 Reporting Period?

• Should I still report my compliance for the 2019-2021 Reporting Period if my online My MCLE credit list on the Board's website does not reflect all my credits earned for this reporting period?

• How do I report Not Yet Complied by July 31, 2021, to secure a grace period extension to September 30, 2021, for the 2019-2021 Reporting Period?

• How do I report my out-of-state exemption for the 2019-2021 Reporting Period?

• Do the Diversity/Inclusion and Mental Health/Substance Abuse requirements in Illinois change the qualifications for an out-of-state exemption for the 2019-2021 Reporting Period?

• As a newly admitted attorney, what are my MCLE requirements and deadlines?

• What are the MCLE requirements for newly-admitted attorneys who previously practiced law in another state?

• Can I earn credits toward my NAA Requirement before being admitted to the Illinois bar?

• Which courses qualify as Basic Skill Course, and how do can I find one?

• Are any attorneys exempt from their NAA Requirement?

• How do I report compliance with, or exemption from, the NAA Requirement?

• What if I can't finish my NAA Requirement by the completion deadline?

• What if I fail to report for NAA reporting period by the reporting deadline?

• What happens if I do not report compliance or exemption and pay the late fee by the grace period deadline for my NAA reporting period?

• What happens if I fail to report compliance or exemption and pay my late fee before the ARDC's final deadline for my NAA reporting period?

• What is my first regular two-year reporting period after my newly-admitted attorney reporting period ends?

• As a newly admitted attorney, when can I begin to earn carryover credit for my initial two-year reporting period?

• How are attorneys placed in their two-year reporting period group?

• What is my current two-year reporting period, and what are the deadlines for it?

• How many CLE hours, including professional responsibility (PR), are required in a two-year reporting period?

• How are carryover hours calculated from a two-year reporting period to the next?

• Are any attorneys exempt from their two-year reporting period requirement?

• Do attorneys need to report their compliance, non-compliance, or out-of-state exemption to the MCLE Board at the end of their two-year reporting period?

• What should I do if I have not completed my CLE credits by the June 30 completion deadline at the end of my two-year reporting period?

• What happens if I fail to report my compliance, non-compliance or out-of-state exemption by my July 31 reporting period?

• What happens if I fail to report and pay my late fee by the September 30 grace period deadline for a two-year reporting period?

• What happens if I fail to report compliance or exemption and pay my late fee before the ARDC's final deadline for a two-year reporting period?

• How does an attorney request reinstatement after removal from the Master Roll for MCLE non-compliance?

• Which attorneys are entitled to claim an exemption from the MCLE requirements?

• Are there any partial exemptions from the MCLE requirements?

• Which inactive or retired attorneys qualify for an exemption from the MCLE requirements and how is the exemption reported?

• When I return to active status from inactive or retired status, do I need to complete credits?

• Are there consequences for switching my license between inactive or retired and active?

• Which judges qualify for an exemption from their MCLE requirements and do qualifying judges have to report their exemption?

• Which judicial law clerks or staff members qualify for exemption from their MCLE requirements and do attorneys qualifying for the exemption need to report it?

• Are attorneys on active duty in the military exempt from their MCLE requirements?

• What are the requirements for an out-of-state attorney to be exempt from their Illinois MCLE requirements and does that exemption need to be reported to the MCLE Board?

• May I apply for a temporary exemption from or extension of time to complete CLE requirements?

• What types of courses or activities can I participate in to earn CLE credit?

• How do I find out if a course qualifies for CLE credit?

• What requirements and limitations apply to earning CLE credit by attending a traditional CLE course?

• Where can I find a list of Illinois Accredited CLE Courses?

• Where can I find free Illinois Accredited CLE Courses?

• How is credit calculated and reported to the Board for teaching an accredited CLE course or activity?

• When can an attorney earn CLE credit for attending or teaching a bar association or professional organization meeting?

• When can an attorney earn CLE credit for attending or teaching a live out-of-state or live technology course not accredited for Illinois credit by the course provider?

• What are nontraditional activities or courses that the attorney enters into My MCLE on the Board's website?

• In what cases will attendance at law school courses qualify for CLE credit?

• Can an attorney earn CLE credit for teaching a law course part-time at a university, college, or community college?

• Can an attorney earn CLE credit for teaching part-time at an ABA-accredited law school?

• Can an attorney earn CLE credits by serving as a judge at a moot court or simulation involving law students?

• What general requirements and limitations apply to legal scholarship writing credits?

• How can I find more information about earning CLE credit from a mentoring program?

• Can I earn credit through self-study?

• Can an attorney request that the MCLE Board accredit an activity for CLE credit not specifically authorized by the Court's MCLE Rules?

• As an out-of-state attorney with an Illinois license, what are my options?

• How do I verify teaching CLE credit reported to the MCLE Board by a course provider, bar association, or professional organization?

• How do I claim Illinois CLE credit for attending or teaching a qualifying live out-of-state or live technology course and add it to My MCLE list of reported credits?

• How do I claim CLE credit for attending a qualifying law school course and add it to My MCLE list of reported credits?

• How do I claim CLE credit for qualifying part-time teaching of a law course at a university, college, or community college and add it to My MCLE list of reported credits?

• How do I claim CLE credit for qualifying part-time teaching of a law course at an ABA-accredited law school and add it to My MCLE list of reported credits?

• How do I claim CLE credit for judging a qualifying law student simulation or competition and add it to My MCLE list of reported credits?

• How do I claim CLE credit for researching and writing a qualifying legal scholarly work and add it to My MCLE list of reported credits?