To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with guidance from state and national
governmental authorities, the PA CLE Board office is currently closed. Staff members are working remotely to answer emails
and process workflow to ensure timely CLE compliance tracking. Please note the following announcements from the PA CLE Board
regarding the impact of the coronavirus on CLE operations:
UPDATE: Distance Learning 2021 Policy Change
Effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 the CLE Board is adopting a temporary policy to recognize live online programming by
accredited distance learning providers as live (non-capped) credit towards lawyers' CLE requirement. This will acknowledge the engagement
and real-time learning experience synchronous training provides while extending compliance accommodations for attorneys.
You may review the policy here.
Distance Learning Limitations Removed for 2020:
On April 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a Court Order temporarily waiving the six (6) hour limitation
on distance learning credits for 2020 compliance deadlines. Attorneys in Pennsylvania may now complete all 12 hours of their
2020 CLE requirements through approved distance learning activities. Please note the following conditions of this one-time
accommodation:
- Suspension of the distance learning cap will apply to 2020 CLE deadlines and the standard cap of six (6) hours earned through this delivery method will
resume with 2021 annual compliance deadlines.
- In order to contribute toward the CLE requirement, distance learning credits must be earned through participation in approved programs offered
by Accredited Providers of Distance Learning.
- Distance learning credits in excess of twelve (12) will not carry forward towards future annual compliance deadlines.
- Up to six (6) excess distance learning credits earned in calendar year 2020, completed after the applicable 2020 compliance deadline, may be carried
forward into calendar year 2021 for those lawyers in Compliance Group 1 and Compliance Group 2. Thus, lawyers in Compliance Group 1 may earn up to six
(6) distance learning credits from May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021 that will count towards their April 30, 2021 compliance requirements.
Lawyers in Compliance Group 2 may earn up to six (6) distance learning credits from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021 that will count towards their
August 31, 2021 compliance requirements. Those lawyers in Compliance Group 3 may not carry any excess distance learning credits earned in calendar year
2020 into calendar year 2021.
- Credits not classified as distance learning will carry forward if applicable.
Accreditation Process Updated:
The process for becoming an Accredited Provider of Distance Learning has been streamlined. More Information
To review all PA CLE Covid-19 accommodations click here.
Still have a question? Please send us an email at
pacleb@pacle.org. A member of our staff will be happy to assist.
The CLE Board will continue to monitor the impact of the coronavirus and update this page with news and announcements.
In the meantime, you can learn more about mitigating the spread of the virus at health.pa.gov.
