New York CLE Requirements for Lawyers
What active New York attorneys need each cycle, in plain language, from the New York State CLE Board’s own pages. Reviewed October 2026; nothing here is legal advice. Confirm your own requirement with the New York State CLE Board.
Total24 creditsEvery two-year registration cycle
Ethics and professionalism4 creditsWithin the 24
Bias, cybersecurity1 + 1Diversity and bias; cybersecurity, privacy and data protection
Self-study capNone statedFor experienced attorneys, from accredited providers
The requirement
Special-topic hours
- 4 credits in ethics and professionalism
- 1 credit in diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias (since July 1, 2018)
- 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy and data protection (since July 1, 2023; may count as general or ethics)
- Newly admitted attorneys have a separate 32-credit, two-year transitional requirement
Cycle, reporting and approval
- The 24 credits apply to experienced attorneys (admitted more than two years), per biennial registration cycle.
- Up to 6 credits may carry over to the next cycle.
- Credit comes from Accredited Providers approved by the CLE Board. Courses accredited by an "Approved Jurisdiction" can also count, with proof of accreditation (50-minute credit hour).
- New York has no AI-specific CLE requirement; the cybersecurity category does not mention AI.
Official sources: nycourts.gov/continuing-legal-education-cle/faqs-experienced-attorneys nycourts.gov/continuing-legal-education-cle/continuing-legal-education-news
FAQ
New York CLE questions
24 hours every two-year registration cycle. Special-topic hours: 4 credits in ethics and professionalism; 1 credit in diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias (since July 1, 2018); 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy and data protection (since July 1, 2023; may count as general or ethics); Newly admitted attorneys have a separate 32-credit, two-year transitional requirement.
none for experienced attorneys (nontraditional formats qualify if provider is accredited for that format or Approved Jurisdiction course)
The course is not accredited in New York and does not provide New York CLE credit today.
Other states: California, Florida. All states: MCLE overview.