How is CLE credit calculated for teaching a law course part-time at a university, college, or community college?
Supreme Court Rule(s) cited in this FAQ:
Rule 795.
Total teaching credit for a qualifying law course at one of these institutions equals actual presentation time. Preparation time does not earn credit. The attorney earns full credit for the first time teaching a course then earns one-half credit for teaching the same course a second time. After the second time, no more credit is earned for teaching that same course. Rule 795(d)(6)(ii)
An attorney can only earn new credit for teaching that course by making substantial (large) and substantive (meaningful) changes to it. “Substantial and substantive changes” is determined by the teaching attorney, but the MCLE Board sees it as revising content in a thorough and detailed manner to reflect, for example, new statutes, new court opinions, new regulations, revised procedures, or new guidance.
If audited, the attorney will be asked to support the claim that the course has been changed in this way. Rearranging the same content, changing font size or type, and making minor edits or additions are not considered substantial and substantive changes.
Claiming CLE Credit for teaching a qualifying law course
For the attorney to claim credit, the qualifying school must give the attorney a certificate stating that the attorney taught a law course at that school. We strongly suggest the school use the Board’s form certificate. If another certificate is used, it must contain all the information required on the Board’s form certificate .
An attorney must also report the CLE credit they claim for teaching a qualifying law course to the MCLE Board.
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