UK/CLE Frequently Asked Questions

1. Definitions

What is the CLE Reporting Year?

The CLE reporting year in Kentucky is the 12-month period that runs from July 1 to June 30. SCR 3.6000(7).
E.g., July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 is the 23-24 Reporting Year.

What counts as a "live program"?

A "live program" is a seminar attended in person that provides live presentations in real time and is accredited with the KBA or an online seminar/webinar that you attend remotely with livestreamed presentations in real time and is accredited with the KBA.

What counts as a "self-study program"?

A "self-study program" is an accredited, asynchronous, technologically transmitted program that you complete at your own pace. SCR 3.600(12). UK/CLE offers online self-study courses in high-quality HD streaming video. SCR 3.650(2)(k). All UK/CLE self-study programs are accredited with the KBA.

How is CLE credit calculated for a program?

Kentucky is a "60 minute state", which means that for every 60 minutes spent on accredited CLE programs, one CLE credit is earned. SCR 3.655(2)(a). Some neighboring states are "50 minute states", e.g. Missouri and West Virginia. In these cases, any UK/CLE programs accredited by the relevant Bar Associations would be worth more credits. See the American Bar Association for information on the 50/60 Minute Credit Hour.

2. CLE Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits must Kentucky attorneys earn each Reporting Year?

The annual requirement is 12.0 CLE credits. A minimum of 2.0 of these credits must be designated as Ethics credits. Credit can be earned by attending a live accredited presentation or by participating in accredited technologically transmitted programs, such as those offered by UK/CLE. SCR 3.650(2)(k). SCR 3.645(1).

How many Ethics credits must Kentucky attorneys earn each Reporting Year?

A minimum of 2.0 of the total 12.0 credits earned during each 12-month reporting period must be designated as Ethics credits. SCR 3.645(1), SCR 3.600(8).

How many self-study CLE credits may Kentucky attorneys earn each Reporting Year?

Kentucky attorneys are permitted to earn all 12 credit hours of their CLE requirement by participating in accredited technologically transmitted programs, such as those offered by UK/CLE. SCR 3.650(2)(k).

Where can I find out how many CLE credits I have earned in the current Reporting Year?

Such information is private and only held by the Kentucky Bar Association. An attorney must contact the Bar directly for this information. Call the KBA at 502-564-3795 or check CLE transcripts online (login required). UK/CLE neither tracks nor has access to this information.

3. Deadlines

What is the deadline for completing an accredited program or activity to claim CLE credit for that Reporting Year?

To claim credit, attorneys must complete the accredited program or activity by June 30 of the Reporting Year for which they wish to receive credit. SCR 3.645(1).
E.g., all accredited programs and activities for the 23-24 Reporting Year must be completed by June 30, 2024, to be eligible for credit in the 23-24 Reporting Year.

What is the deadline for claiming CLE credit for a Reporting Year?

Claim forms (KBA Form 3) must be received by the KBA no later than August 10 that follows the end of the Reporting Year. Attorneys may also claim CLE credits online at the KBA website (login required). SCR 3.645(2).
E.g., all claims for the 23-24 Reporting Year must be received by the KBA no later than August 10, 2024.

What happens if an attorney fails to complete the annual CLE requirement by June 30 or does not claim CLE credits by August 10?

An attorney in either situation should contact the KBA immediately at 502-564-3795 to make arrangements for setting things right. Not completing CLE requirements can have grave consequences ranging from fines to suspension from the practice of law. SCR 3.675.

Is it possible to have the deadline extended?

Attorneys may apply for extensions (KBA Form 8). Application fees may apply. The KBA is solely responsible for granting extensions. SCR 3.670.

4. Other Ways to Earn CLE Credit

Can CLE credit be earned for presenting at a program or by authoring a book or chapter?

Yes. Researching, writing, or editing material for a presentation; teaching, leading a seminar, or participating in a panel at a program; attending and completing a law school class; and published, qualified legal writing can all earn CLE credit. SCR 3.650(3). How much credit specific activities are worth is set forth in SCR 3.655(2).

How does an attorney volunteer to present or write for UK/CLE?

Attorneys interested in exploring volunteer possibilities with UK/CLE should contact Director Kevin Bucknam at 859-257-8328 or kbucknam@uky.edu.

5. Miscellaneous

Is it possible to be exempt from CLE requirements?

Yes. SCR 3.665(1)-(2) details who may be exempted from annual CLE requirements. Attorneys must apply to be granted an exemption (KBA Form 7).

Can attorneys carry forward CLE credit to the next Reporting Year?

Yes. An attorney who earns more than 12.0 CLE credits in one reporting period may carry forward up to 24.0 credits, 4.0 of which may be designated Ethics credits, to be used over the next two Reporting Years. Credits in excess of the 24.0 credit limit cannot be carried forward. SCR 3.645(3).

Can attorneys carry forward Ethics credit to the next Reporting Year?

Yes. An attorney who earns more than 12.0 credits in one reporting period may carry forward up to 4.0 designated Ethics credits to be used over the next two Reporting Years, providing these credits are counted as part of a 24.0 credit carry over limit. SCR 3.645(3).

Where can all the different KBA CLE forms be found?

The KBA website is a fantastic resource and every form you might need for CLE can be downloaded from their CLE Forms page:
https://www.kybar.org/page/Copyofcleforms

If an attorney is also licensed in another state, can she claim CLE credit for that state? (I.e., does UK/CLE get their programs approved in other jurisdictions?)

UK/CLE often has its live programs accredited in surrounding states. Please contact our office to find out if the live program you are interested in has been accredited in a jurisdiction other than Kentucky.

West Virginia: As of August 2021, we do not get our live programs accredited in West Virginia, except for the National Conference on Equine Law. Attorneys may do so themselves by following the instructions of the WV Bar Association at: https://mywvbar.org/MCLE/individualcourse. The course materials contain everything they will need to apply: materials, speaker bios, and an agenda.

UK/CLE self-study programs are only accredited in Kentucky. The application process to have a program accredited is different for every Bar Association and usually carries a fee with it. Attorneys are welcome to submit UK/CLE self-study programs for accreditation in their state, but UK/CLE cannot guarantee that self-study programs will be accepted by other Bar Associations.

NOTE: UK/CLE self-study programs do not meet the technological requirements put forth by the Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee Bar Associations for self-study CLE, and cannot be accredited in those states. See Ohio Gov. Bar R. X and Regulation 409.1(H); Indiana Rule 29 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education and Mandatory Judicial Education Guidelines, Section 3(b)(6)(ii); and Tennessee Rule 21, Section 5.01(h).

Can an attorney use a UK/CLE program for other continuing education credit?

Usually yes, if the attorney submits a UK/CLE program to another governing body and that body approves. Every governing body has a different process for approving programs and may charge a fee. Attorneys can request attendance forms or other documentation from UK/CLE to fulfill the requirements of their governing body's approval process.

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs): Our programs are not pre-approved for CPE credit. You will need to follow the directions of your governing body, found at: https://cpa.ky.gov/practicingcpas/Pages/Continuing-Professional-Education.aspx.

Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisors (CTFAs): We submit the Midwest-Midsouth Bondurant | Bagby Estate Planning Institute for accreditation with the American Bankers Association (ABA). This is not done until July 1st to keep the application and the program in the same fiscal year.

Insurance Adjusters: Our Annual Workers' Compensation Institute is not eligible for Adjuster credit with the Department of Insurance.