State CLE Requirements
Illinois CLE Requirements
Illinois attorneys must complete 30 credit hours of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education every 2 years, including 6 hours of professional responsibility credit across three required subcategories.
Overview
The Illinois MCLE Board requires all active status attorneys to complete 30 hours of accredited continuing legal education within each two-year reporting period. Of these 30 hours, at least 6 must be in professional responsibility topics, with specific sub-requirements for diversity and mental health content.
Reporting periods run from July 1 to June 30 over two years. Attorneys with last names beginning A–M report in even-numbered years, while N–Z attorneys report in odd-numbered years. Credits must be completed by June 30, and reported by July 31 of your reporting year.
For more details, see the Illinois MCLE Board Requirements.
30-Hour Breakdown
All professional responsibility subcategories below are mandatory. TalksOnLaw courses cover every required category.
Professional Responsibility
4 hrsMust include ethics, professionalism, civility, or sexual harassment prevention training. Of the 6 total professional responsibility hours, 4 may come from any of these subcategories.
Browse Professional Responsibility courses →
Diversity & Inclusion
1 hrAt least 1 hour of the 6 professional responsibility hours must address diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. This counts toward your professional responsibility total.
Browse Diversity & Inclusion courses →
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
1 hrAt least 1 hour must cover mental health and substance abuse topics. Alternatively, this may be satisfied by participating in an approved Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program. This counts toward your professional responsibility total.
Browse Mental Health & Substance Abuse courses →
General CLE
24 hrsThe remaining 24 hours may be earned in any approved CLE category, including substantive law, practice skills, and additional professional responsibility topics.
Reporting & Compliance
Reporting Period
Two-year reporting periods run July 1 to June 30. Attorneys with last names A–M report in even-numbered years; N–Z report in odd-numbered years. Credits must be completed by June 30 and reported by July 31.
Carryover Credits
Illinois attorneys may carry over up to 10 CLE credits to the next reporting period, including up to 6 professional responsibility credits. Credits earned beyond the 30-hour minimum automatically carry over.
Credit Formats
Illinois accepts live, on-demand, and online CLE courses. All 30 hours may be completed through online or self-study programs, making it convenient for busy practitioners.
Non-Compliance
Failure to complete or timely report MCLE credits can result in transfer to inactive status. Attorneys transferred to inactive status for non-compliance must complete any deficiency and pay a reinstatement fee to return to active status.
Fulfill All Illinois CLE Requirements with TalksOnLaw
TalksOnLaw is an approved Illinois MCLE provider. Our courses cover Professional Responsibility, Diversity & Inclusion, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, and all general CLE categories.
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