Your two-year reporting period deadlines:
To see what two-year reporting period you are currently in and deadlines for that reporting period, login using the Attorney Login box on the upper right of this page. After logging in, go to the "My MCLE" page on our website and that information will display below your name.
Full exemptions:
Attorneys in the July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019 (“2017-2019”) and July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020 (“2018-2020”) reporting periods are entitled to a full exemption from the MCLE requirements for that reporting period if:
- the attorney is in one of the following categories for at least 365 days of their reporting period or on the last day of it: Rule 791(b)(1) and (2):
o inactive (including under former Rule 770), retired or voluntarily removed status registration status with the ARDC; Rule 791(a)(1)
o disability inactive registration status with the ARDC; Rule 791(a)(2): or
o an out-of-state attorney whose sole or primary office is in another MCLE state and fully compliant with earning the MCLE credits for that state Rule 791(a)(6):. The attorney must report this exemption to the MCLE Board.
OR
- the attorney is in the following categories for at least one day of their reporting period or on the last day of it: Rule 791(b)(1) and (3):
o justice, judge, associate judge or magistrate of any federal or state court. Rule 791(a)(3). If the attorney is not registered with the ARDC as a “judge,” the attorney must report this exemption to the MCLE Board;
o certain federal and Illinois state judiciary employees specified in Rule 791(a)(4) who are prohibited from engaging in the practice of law and registered pursuant to Rules 756(a)(3)(B) with the ARDC; Rule 791(b)(1)Rule 791(a)(4); or
o active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. Rule 791(a)(5). If the attorney is not registered with the ARDC as “military,” the attorney must report this exemption to the MCLE Board.
The following full exemption differs from those listed above as it does not rely on the attorney’s license status or out-of-state practice:
- Extraordinary Hardship: Must prove extreme hardship in the form of illness, financial hardship or other extraordinary or extenuating circumstances beyond the attorney’s control. A temporary exemption is granted only when the MCLE Board determines the attorney has established that extreme hardship exists. Attorneys should apply by May 31 of the reporting year, providing specific documentation to establish extreme hardship. Rule 791(a)(7). Please contact the MCLE Board for information on requesting this type of an exemption.
Reporting a full exemption:
If the full exemption category noted above states the attorney must report an exemption based on it, the attorney must report it to the MCLE Board no later than July 31st of year in which their reporting period ends. Rule 796. Online reporting opens on May 1 of the year in which an attorney’s reporting period ends.
To report online, please login using the Attorney Login box on the upper right of this page, then go to "My MCLE” and follow the steps to submit your report.
Partial Exemption:
An attorney who is not fully exempt from their MCLE requirements for 2017-2019 or 2018-2020 reporting periods is entitled to a partial exemption from the MCLE requirements that reporting period if one of the following categories applies to the attorney for more than 60 days, but less than 365 days of their reporting period and not on the last day of it: Rule 791(c).
- inactive (including under former Rule 770), retired or voluntarily removed status registration status with the ARDC;
Rule 791(a)(1)
- disability inactive registration status with the ARDC;
Rule 791(a)(2), or
- sole or primary office is in another MCLE state and fully compliant with earning the MCLE credits for that state
Rule 791(a)(6)
An attorney eligible to claim a partial exemption must complete 15 total hours of Illinois approved MCLE credit, including at least three hours of professional responsibility (“PR”) credit. Of those three hours of PR credit, the attorney must complete one hour of diversity/inclusion PR credit and one hour of mental health/substance abuse PR credit. Please refer to the Commission on Professionalism's FAQs for additional information.
Reporting a partial exemption:
If an attorney believes that they qualify for a partial exemption from the MCLE requirements for the 2017-2019 or 2018-2020 reporting period, the attorney should contact the MCLE Board at (312) 924-2420 for instruction on how to report that partial exemption to the MCLE Board no later than July 31st of their reporting year.