Continuing Legal Education for Judges FAQ
The following questions apply to the continuing legal education and Judicial College requirements for judges. If you do not find the answer to your question here, take a look at the FAQ page for attorneys. If you are still unable to find the answer to your question, please contact the CCLE at 614.387.9325
- Why is continuing legal education for the judiciary (Judicial College) required?
- Who must comply with Judicial College requirements?
- When must I complete my Judicial College requirement?
- Does my reporting period change if my last name changes?
- What are the amendments to the Continuing Legal Education Requirements for Judges effective May 1, 2009?
- How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Full-Time Judges?
- How many CLE/Judicial Colldge credit hours are required for Part-Time Judges?
- How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Retired Judges eligible for assignment?
- How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Acting Judges and Magistrates?
- How are CLE/Judicial College credit hours calculated?
- What happens if I earn more CLE/Judicial College credit hours than are required for the two-year reporting period?
- Are there judges who do not have to report to the Commission on Continuing Legal Education?
- I am a newly appointed judge. How long do I have before I must comply with the Judicial College requirement?
- Where and when will I be able to attend Judicial College courses?
- Should I keep a list of my CLE/Judicial College activities?
- What happens if I do not comply with my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
- If I find I am unable to complete my CLE/Judicial College requirements prior to the Dec. 31 deadline, will you grant an extension of time?
- I am unable to meet my CLE/Judicial College requirements due to illness. What can I do?
- How do I apply for an exemption from my duty to meet my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
- Following is a table that summarizes the number and type of CLE/Judicial hours you need based on your status at the end of the biennium.
- How can I obtain a copy of my CLE record?
- How can I find out more about my CLE and/or Judicial College requirements?
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to be a complete representation of the requirements of Rule X of the Rules Governing the Bar of the State of Ohio and the Regulations adopted under authority of this Rule or Rule IV of the Rules for the Government of the Judiciary of Ohio. For specific provision details refer to the complete text. All documents must be sent by regular mail. No faxed or e-mailed documents will be processed at this time.
1. Why is continuing legal education for the judiciary required?
To serve the public interest that mandates the competent performance of the duties of judicial office in Ohio. (Gov. Jud. R. IV, Sec. 1(A))
2. Who must comply with Judicial College requirements?
Full-time and part-time judges, retired judges eligible for assignment, acting judges and magistrates all have Judicial College requirements. The number of Judicial College hours required is based on the date you take office or if you are appointed, the date of your appointment, and your status at the end of the biennium. Information contained in this FAQ will help you determine how many Judicial College hours you are required to complete.
3. When must I complete my Judicial College requirement?
Your Judicial College requirement must be completed as part of your overall continuing legal education requirements. All Ohio judges have been permanently assigned to one of two groups based on the first letter of the judge’s last name.
- If your last name begins with a letter from A through L you must report by the thirty-first day of January of even-numbered years for the preceding two calendar years.
- If your last name begins with a letter from M through Z you must report by the thirty-first day of January of odd-numbered years for the preceding two calendar years.
4. Does my reporting period change if my last name changes?
No. If your name changes after you have been admitted to the practice of law, you remain in the same alphabetical grouping for CLE purposes. (Gov. Bar R. X, Sec. 3(B)(1) and Gov. Jud. R. IV, Sec. 4(A))
5. What are the Amendments to the Continuing Legal Education Requirements for Judges effective May 1, 2009?
The Supreme Court of Ohio recently adopted amendments to Gov. Jud. R. IV, Sec. 2, “Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for the Judiciary,” effective May 1, 2009.
The amendments increased the number of continuing legal education hours required for part-time and retired Judges from 24 hours to 40 hours for each biennial reporting period. Further, as part of their 40 hour requirement, all Judges, including part-time Judges and retired Judges, will need to complete the following:
- At least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts.
- At least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism.
The amendments will first apply to Judges whose last name begins with a letter from M through Z and who report compliance with the requirements by Jan. 31, 2011.
6. How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Full-Time Judges?
If you are a Full-Time Judge and your last name begins with A through L, you must meet the amended education requirements for the 2012 reporting period (Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2011). You must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing legal education, including at least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts and at least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism. You will report these hours by returning your Final Reporting Transcript by Jan. 31, 2012.
If you are a Full-Time Judge and your last name begins with M through Z, you must meet the amended education requirements for the 2011 reporting period (Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2010). You must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing legal education, including at least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts and at least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism. You will report these hours by returning your Final Reporting Transcript by Jan. 31, 2011.
7. How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Part-Time Judges?
If you are a Part-Time Judge and your last name begins with A through L, you must meet the amended education requirements for the 2012 reporting period (Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2011). You must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing legal education, including at least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts and at least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism. You will report these hours by returning your Final Reporting Transcript by Jan. 31, 2012.
If you are a Part-Time Judge and your last name begins with M through Z, you must meet the amended CLE requirement for the 2011 reporting period (Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2010). You must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing legal education, including at least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts and at least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism. You will report these hours by returning your Final Reporting Transcript by Jan. 31, 2011.
8. How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Retired Judges eligible for assignment?
If you are a Retired Judge and your last name begins with A through L, you must meet the amended education requirements for the 2012 reporting period (Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2011). You must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing legal education, including at least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts and at least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism. You will report these hours by returning your Final Reporting Transcript by Jan. 31, 2012.
If you are a Retired Judge and your last name begins with M through Z, you must meet the amended CLE requirement for the 2011 reporting period (Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2010). You must complete a total of 40 hours of continuing legal education, including at least 10 hours of instruction offered by the Supreme Court Judicial College, including at least two hours on access to justice and fairness in the courts and at least two hours of instruction on judicial ethics and professionalism. You will report these hours by returning your Final Reporting Transcript by Jan. 31, 2011.
9. How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required for Acting Judges and Magistrates?
Acting Judges and Magistrates (Full-Time and Part-Time) must complete 24 credit hours of classroom instruction, including 10 hours provided by the Judicial College. As part of the required 24 hours of instruction, Acting Judges and Magistrates must complete at least 2.5 hours of classroom instruction related to ethics, professionalism, and substance abuse education.
The hour of ethics education should be based on the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct. The hour of professionalism education may include instruction on A Lawyer’s Creed and A Lawyer’s Aspirational Ideals adopted by the Supreme Court. The 30 minutes of substance abuse education should include instruction on causes, prevention, detection and treatment alternatives.
10. How are CLE/Judicial College credit hours calculated?
Sixty minutes of actual instruction or other approved activity equals one credit hour. (Gov. Bar R. X, Sec. 4(A)(1)) No CLE credit is given for registration, breaks, meals, business meetings, opening and closing remarks, keynote speeches, and presentations concurrent with the consumption of a meal.
11. What happens if I earn more CLE/Judicial College credit hours than are required for the two-year reporting period?
You may apply a maximum of one-half the required credit hours to the next reporting period. CLE/Judicial College, Judicial Fairness, and Professional Conduct requirement hours used as carryover from one biennial reporting period to another are considered general CLE hours and do not count towards your Judicial College, Judicial Fairness or Professional Conduct requirement for the next biennial reporting period. (Gov. Jud. R. IV, Sec. 2(D))
12. Are there judges who do not have to report to the Commission on Continuing Legal Education?
Yes. The following judges are exempt from all requirements of Gov. Jud. R. IV and Gov. Bar Rule X while in office:
- United States judges appointed to office for life pursuant to Article III of the United States Constitution
- United States bankruptcy judges
- United States magistrate judges
Also note that former judges registered as inactive pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI, Sec. 2, or registered as retired pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI, former Sec. 3, are also exempt from the requirements of Gov. Jud. R. IV and Gov. Bar Rule X. For additional information, see Gov. Bar R. X, Sec. 3(F).
13. I am a newly appointed judge. How long do I have before I must comply with the Judicial College requirement?
If you become subject to Gov. Jud. R. IV during your reporting period, the education requirements of Gov. Jud. R. IV will be applied on a pro rata basis. The hour requirement is based on the date of your appointment and your status at the end of your current reporting period. Contact the Office of Attorney Services at 614.387.9325 for an explanation based on your individual circumstances.
14. Where and when will I be able to attend Judicial College courses?
You may view a list of approved courses on the Judicial College Web site at http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Boards/judCollege/ or you may request a schedule and information from the Judicial College of the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Judicial College may be reached at 614.387.9445.
15. Should I keep a list of my CLE/Judicial College activities?
Yes. You should maintain records sufficient to establish compliance with CLE requirements in the event of an error in the final reporting transcript and in order to fully comply with CCLE Regulation 303.2.
16. What happens if I do not comply with my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
If you fail to comply with the educational requirements of Gov. Jud. R. IV and Gov. Bar R. X, the Commission will send you a notice of noncompliance. The notice will specify the nature of the noncompliance and state that unless you come into compliance or file evidence of compliance that is satisfactory to the Commission by the date set forth in the notice, the Commission will issue an order imposing a sanction against you. As a condition of acceptance of late compliance, you will be required to pay a late compliance fee that accompanies your report of compliance.
If you submit evidence by the date set forth in the notice that establishes timely compliance or late compliance, the Commission will withdraw the notice of noncompliance and advise you of this action.
If you do not come into compliance or file satisfactory evidence, the Commission will issue a sanction order against you, consistent with Commission regulation (Gov. Bar R. X, Secs. 5 and 6 and CLE Reg. 503).
Please remember that sanctions ordered by the Commission are published in the Ohio Official Reports and the Ohio State Bar Association Report.
17. If I find I am unable to complete my CLE/Judicial College requirements prior to the Dec. 31 deadline, will you grant me an extension of time?
There is no provision for extensions of time to comply with your CLE/Judicial College requirements. However, you may file for late compliance by correcting all deficiencies by April 30 of your reporting year and paying the applicable late compliance fee as provided in Gov. Bar R. X, Section 6, and CLE Regulations 503 and 504.2. See question 16, above, for information about late compliance.
18. I am unable to meet my CLE/Judicial College requirements due to illness. What can I do?
The Commission may grant a temporary exemption from the continuing legal education requirements of Gov. Jud. R. IV and Gov. Bar Rule X, under the following circumstances:
- A judge suffering from severe, prolonged illness or disability preventing participation in accredited programs and activities for the duration of the illness or disability;
- A judge, for a period not to exceed one year, upon a finding by the Commission that those special circumstances unique to that judge constitutes good cause for exemption. The Commission may adjust credit hour requirements on a pro rata basis;
- A judge who, because of a permanent physical disability or other compelling reason, has difficulty attending programs and activities, may request, and the Commission may grant, approval of a substitute program.
Please contact the Commission at 614.387.9325 for assistance.
19. How do I apply for an exemption from my duty to meet my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
Your request falls within the guidelines of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 3(F), and CLE Regulation 304. You would need to complete the appropriate request for exemption form and submit it to our office with the required documentation. See question 18, above. You will be notified in writing of the outcome of your request.
20. Following is a table that summarizes the number and type of CLE/Judicial hours you need based on your status at the end of the 2010 and 2011 Biennia.
Amendments to the requirements (*) are shown for full-time, part-time or retired judge eligible for assignment. If your name begins with a letter from A through L you must meet the amended Judicial College requirements for the 2012 biennium (Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2011). If your name begins with a letter from M through Z you must first meet the amended Judicial College requirements for the 2011 biennium (Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2010).
| Status as of 12/31 (end of biennium) | Duration of Status | Annual Registration with CLE Required | Total Number of CLE Hours Required | Total Number of Judicial College Hours Required | Judicial Fairness | Type of Ethics Required (attorney, judicial, either) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Time Judge* | > 18 months | No | 40 | 10 | 2 | Judicial |
| Part Time Judge* | > 18 months | No | 40 | 10 | 2 | Judicial |
| Full-time, Part-time or Retired Judge appointed within the biennium | > 12 months and < 18 months |
No | 24 | 10 | 2 | Judicial |
| Retired Judge - Eligible for Assignment* | Status change date prior to end of biennium?? | No | 40 | 10 | 2 | Judicial |
| Full-time, Part-time or Retired Judge appointed within the biennium | > 6 months and < 12 months |
No | 24 | 5 | 2 | Attorney |
| Judge Turned Attorney | Defeated or Non-eligible and status date falls within biennium | No | 24 | No hours required | No hours required | Either |
| Acting Judge | > 18 months | Yes | 24 | 10 | No hours required | Either |
| Acting Judge appointed within the biennium | > 6 months and < 18 months |
Yes | 24 | 5 | No hours required | Either |
| Magistrate | > 18 months | Yes | 24 | 10 | No hours required | Either |
| Magistrate appointed within the biennium | > 6 months and < 18 months |
Yes | 24 | 5 | No hours required | Either |
21. How can I obtain a copy of my CLE record?
You will receive free of charge an Interim Report by the first week of August of the second year in your biennial reporting period.
Sixty days prior to the filing deadline for your biennial report, the Commission will send your Final Reporting Transcript. It is your responsibility to review the transcript promptly and inform the Commission if any of the information contained in your CLE record is inaccurate or if information which should be contained in the record is missing. You must return your final reporting transcript to the Commission, bearing your signature verifying completion of all applicable requirements of Rule X by Jan. 31 of your reporting year. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(B)(1), CLE Regulation 303). Or you may submit your Transcript electronically at https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ASW.
You may also view your CLE record online at https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/asw. To receive a certified copy of your CLE record, please send a written request containing your registration number, beginning and ending calendar dates, and a check or money order for $5 made payable to Supreme Court of Ohio.
22. How can I find out more about my CLE and/or Judicial College requirements?
You may phone the Commission at 614.387.9325 or you may access the Court’s Web site at www.supremecourt.ohio.gov to download a copy of Gov. Jud. Rule IV, Gov. Bar Rule X and the CCLE Regulations.
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