Reporting Your MCLE Credits

When do new admittees have to report?

Newly admitted lawyers are exempt for the year of admission and for the following calendar year. After that exemption period, their first three-year reporting period begins. Any credits earned in the 4-plus years after admission to the bar may be claimed during the first reporting period. (APR 11.2(b))

When do active (non-new admittee) lawyers have to report?

WSBA members are divided into three MCLE reporting groups based on year of admission.

Group 1: Admitted through 1975, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, or 2006
Group 2: Admitted in 1976 through 1983, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, or 2007
Group 3: Admitted in 1984 through 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, or 2008

Each reporting group must complete credits and submit the CLE Certification (C2/C3) form according to the schedule below.

              Next                        Complete             File
              Reporting Period    Credits By           C2/C3 By

Group 1 2008-2010     December 31, 2010     February 1, 2011

Group 2 2009-2011     December 31, 2011     February 2, 2012

Group 3  2007-2009     December 31, 2009     February 1, 2010

What is a credit?

One credit is equivalent to one hour (60 minutes) of instruction time at an approved seminar. Credits can be obtained in quarter-hour increments: 15 minutes of instruction equal .25 credits. Credits are rounded to the nearest quarter hour based on the actual time of instruction. No credit is given for breaks.

Beginning January 1, 2009, a lawyer may earn:

Credit only once for attending the same approved course; and
No more than eight credits per day. Reg. 103(c)

Can I claim credit for programs attended prior to admission to the Bar?

No. Credit can be obtained only for those courses taken on or after your date of admission to the WSBA. (APR 11.2(b))

What is the total credit requirement for reporting purposes?

There are different credit requirements for 2006-2008 vs. 2007-2009 and future reporting periods, which are shown below. This is because the Supreme Court adopted amendments to the MCLE rules and regulations (APR 11 and Appendix APR 11) on June 6, 2008 that become effective January 1, 2009. These amendments change some important reporting period credit requirements. Because the 2006-2008 reporting period ended prior to the effective date of the amendments, the rules and regulations in effect until December 31, 2008 apply to that reporting group.

For the 2006-2008 Reporting Group
You must complete a total of 45 CLE credits during your three-year reporting period. Of those 45 total credits, at least 6 must be ethics credits and at least 30 must be live. The remaining credits can be live or pre-recorded audio-visual programs (including online pre-recorded programs).
Lawyers are limited to 15 credits per reporting period of closed or open in-house Private Law Firm credits and 15 credits of closed or open Corporate Legal Department credits.

For the 2007-2009 Reporting Group and Subsequent Reporting Groups
You must earn a total of 45 CLE credits during your three-year reporting period. Of those 45 total credits, at least 6 must be ethics and at least 22.5 must be live. The remaining credits can be live or pre-recorded audio-visual programs (including online pre-recorded programs).
There is no limit on the number of in-house credits that can be earned.

For more information about the rules and regulations that went into effect on January 1, 2009, follow this link: http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/mcle/apr11review07.htm

What is the ethics requirement?

You must complete at least 6 ethics credits in your three-year reporting period. All ethics credits may be acquired using approved audio-visual (self-study) or live credits.

Ethics credits pertain to topics related to standards of individual attorney conduct. Ethics credits are not granted for subjects that are considered, in a more general sense, to be ethics but do not specifically relate to individual attorney behavior. For example, a course covering general information about the Sarbanes Oxley Act would not be accreditable as ethics credits. Nor would a course about housing discrimination based on race. Neither course deals with specific attorney behavior as addressed in the rules and regulations that are part of the definition of ethics credits.

The Supreme Court amended the definition of "ethics" in the regulations effective on January 1, 2009. Courses that take place on or after January 1, 2009 or that are recorded on or after January 1, 2009 will be accredited according to the new definition of ethics.

Courses presented and/or recorded on or before December 31, 2008
Ethics credits are approved for segments of courses dealing specifically and exclusively with the discussion, analysis, interpretation, or application of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, judicial decisions interpreting these rules, and ethics opinions published by bar associations relating to these rules.

Ethics credits are also approved for courses dealing specifically and exclusively with the general subject of professional conduct standards for lawyers representing clients and the public interest. Ethics credits may also be awarded for accreditable activities in the areas of diversity, substance abuse, and anti bias.

Courses presented and/or recorded on or after January 1, 2009
Ethics credits are approved for segments of courses dealing specifically and exclusively with the discussion, analysis, interpretation, or application of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, judicial decisions interpreting these rules, and ethics opinions published by bar associations relating to these rules.

Ethics credits are also approved for courses dealing specifically and exclusively with the general subject of professional conduct standards for lawyers representing clients and the public interest. Ethics credits may also be awarded for accreditable activities in the areas of diversity and anti bias with respect to the practice of law, or the risks to ethical practice associated with diagnosable conditions of stress, anxiety, depression, and addictive behavior.

For more information about the rules and regulations that went into effect on January 1 2009, follow this link: http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/mcle/apr11review07.htm

How do I earn credit for self-study or audio/visual (A/V) courses?

Audio-visual courses accredited by the MCLE Board, including online pre-recorded seminars, are the only type of self-study courses approved for self-study credit.

No recording older than five years is accreditable, unless it is exclusively a skills program.
A pre-recorded online seminar must contain a streaming audio or audio/video presentation. The duration of that presentation is the basis for calculating credit approval.
Text-only and read-and-test presentations, including text-based online programs, are not accreditable in Washington State.

There are different audio-visual credit limits for 2006-2008 vs. 2007-2009 and future reporting periods, which are shown below. This is because the Supreme Court adopted amendments to the MCLE rules and regulations (APR 11 and Appendix APR 11) on June 6, 2008 that became effective January 1, 2009. These amendments change some important reporting period credit requirements. Because the 2006-2008 reporting period ended prior to the effective date of the amendments, the rules and regulations in effect until December 31, 2008 apply to that reporting group.

For the 2006-2008 Reporting Group
Lawyers are limited to a maximum of 15 audio-visual credits out of the 45 credits required for reporting period compliance. At least 30 credits must be live.

For the 2007-2009 Reporting Group and Subsequent Reporting Groups
Lawyers are allowed a maximum of 22.5 audio-visual credits out of the 45 credits required for reporting period compliance. Only 22.5 credits must be live.

To get approval for an audio-visual course and have it added to your online roster, you can do one of the following:

1. You may submit an online Form 1 application.

Go to the WSBA web site home page at www.wsba.org.
Click on the blue and black "Online MCLE System" box in the right column.Follow the instructions on the screen to reach your MCLE home page.
Click on "View Current Reporting Period".
Click on "Add Activity".
Click "AV" Form 1 (The MCLE system requires that you first do a search to see if your course has already been approved in the MCLE database before you will see the "AV" Form 1 button to click.
- If the course has already been approved, you can click on the course hyperlink to add it to your roster.)

If the course has not been approved, complete the AV Form 1. Note: AV Form 1 applications must include a detailed agenda of the activity, including the start and end times for each session and a complete description of the content of each session. Without a detailed agenda, no credit can be granted.

If you need assistance, contact the WSBA Service Center at 206-443-9722, 800-945-9722, or at questions@wsba.org.

2. You can print a Form 1 application, and mail or fax (206-727-8313) it to the WSBA. (Note: The approval process for paper Form 1s is significantly longer than for Form 1s submitted online.) Note: A detailed agenda, as described in #1, is required.

Be sure to indicate:

The recording date(s) of the course;
The start date and end date of when you listened to/watched the course.

For more information about the rules and regulations that went into effect on January 1, 2009, follow this link: http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/mcle/apr11review07.htm.

How and when do I report my CLE credits?

If you are due to report MCLE compliance, and you are an Active lawyer, you will receive a Continuing Legal Education Certification (C2/C3) form in your license packet at the end of your three-year reporting period. It must be completed and postmarked or delivered to the WSBA by February 1 (or the next business day if February 1 is on a weekend).

1. On the C3 side of the form, only the courses taken and reported through the latter part of October of the last year of your reporting period will be listed. List any other MCLE Board-approved CLE activities for which you earned credits, including the Activity ID number, course title, sponsor, activity date(s), location, and credits earned. Note:

Your online roster is not a substitute for filing the C2/C3 form. (APR 11.6(b)) You are required to submit the C2/C3 form by the deadline or a late fee will be assessed.
You must submit a Form 1 for each course that has not yet been approved by the MCLE Board.
For each audio-visual course that you report on the C3 form, you also need to list the (1) recording date(s) of the course, and (2) the beginning and ending date during which you took the course.
Only credits earned since the beginning of the reporting period may be claimed for credit. However, for new lawyers, any credits earned in the 4-plus years after admission to the bar may be claimed during the first reporting period.

An alternative to manually listing CLE activities on the C3 form is to print out and attach to your C2/C3 form a copy of your online roster for the reporting period if it is a correct listing of courses you took. State on the roster that it is the certified list of credits taken for MCLE compliance. If you need to make corrections to your roster, follow the instructions below in the "If you are NOT due to report" section.

2. Complete the C2 side of the form. Sign and date the form and write the location where it was signed. Put it in the blue envelope that is in your license packet. Postmark or deliver your C2/C3 form to the WSBA by February 1. Note: You should file the C2/C3 form by February 1 even if you have not completed all the credits needed for compliance.

If you are NOT due to report MCLE compliance, and you are an Active lawyer, you will receive information about your MCLE credits status on your annual license form. This status information shows the number of CLE credits that have been reported to the WSBA for your current reporting period. If the information is not correct, you may update your MCLE online roster by doing one of the following:

1. Make the corrections yourself on your online roster.

Go to the WSBA web site home page at www.wsba.org.
Click on the blue and black "Online MCLE System" box in the right column.
Follow the instructions on the screen to reach your MCLE home page.
Click on "View Current Reporting Period".
If the course you want to correct is listed on your roster
- Click "Delete" to the left of any course that should not be listed in your roster;
- Click "Edit" to the right of any course that does not show the correct number of credits and make the needed correction to the credits.

If you want to add a course to your roster

Click on "Add Activity" to add a course to your roster.
Click on the type of Form 1 activity you want to submit (Live, AV, etc.) (Note: The MCLE system requires that you first do a search to see if your course has already been approved in the MCLE database.)
- If the course has already been approved, you can click on the course hyperlink to add it to your roster.
- If the course has not been approved, complete the Form 1. NOTE: Form 1 applications must include a detailed agenda of the activity, including the start and end times for each session and each break A complete description of the content of each session is also required. Without a detailed agenda, no credit can be granted.

2. If you are unable to do the steps above, you can

Contact the WSBA Service Center at 206-443-9722, 800-945-9722, or questions@wsba.org to review, edit, or delete a course(s) in your online roster.
Print a Form 1 Application for Course Approval for each course that you want added to your online roster and mail or fax (206-727-8313) it to the WSBA.

NOTE:
o A detailed agenda, as described in #1, is required.

o The approval process for paper Form 1s is significantly longer than for Form 1s submitted online.

Actively maintaining your WSBA online list of CLE activities that you have taken will make it easier to report compliance at the end of your reporting period.

NOTE: The credit totals reported on the 2009 license forms for lawyers reporting in 2007-2009 and later who have private law firm or corporate legal department credits on their rosters may not be correct. This is because the "in-house" credits reflect the APR 11 Regulation 104(e) 15-credit limits in effect when the forms were printed in November 2008. In-house limits were eliminated for these reporting groups when the new MCLE rules and regulations went effect on January 1, 2009. Credits in lawyer rosters were adjusted on January 1, 2009 to reflect the correct totals. Use one of the methods above to verify your credit totals.

What is the maximum number of credits that I can claim?

You may add all MCLE Board-approved courses you took and credits you earned to your online MCLE roster. However, only a maximum of 60 credits �V that include compliance with the live and ethics credit requirements �V are numerically significant for reporting period compliance and carryover credits.

There are different distribution requirements for the 60 credits for 2006-2008 vs. 2007-2009 and future reporting periods, which are shown below. This is because the Supreme Court adopted amendments to the MCLE rules and regulations (APR 11 and Appendix APR 11) on June 6, 2008 that became effective January 1, 2009. These amendments change some important reporting period credit requirements. Because the 2006-2008 reporting period ended prior to the effective date of the amendments, the rules and regulations in effect until December 31, 2008 apply to that reporting group.

For the 2006-2008 Reporting Group

Total credits required: 45
Total live credits required: 30
Total audio-visual credits allowed (of the 45 total): 15
Total ethics credits required: 6
Allowable total carryover credits: 15
Allowable audio-visual carryover credits (of the 15 total): 5
Allowable ethics carryover (of the 15 total): 2

(Note: if there are more than two live ethics credits that can be carried over, the excess credits will be converted to general live carryover credits to a limit of 15 total carryover credits.)

For the 2007-2009 Reporting Group and Subsequent Reporting Groups

Total credits required: 45
Total live credits required: 22.5
Total audio-visual credits allowed (of the 45 total): 22.5
Total ethics credits required: 6
Allowable total carryover credits: 15
Allowable audio-visual carryover credits (of the 15 total): 5
Allowable ethics carryover (of the 15 total): 2

(Note: if there are more than two live ethics credits that can be carried over, the excess credits will be converted to general live carryover credits to a limit of 15 total carryover credits.)

For more information about the rules and regulations that went into effect on January 1, 2009, follow this link: http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/mcle/apr11review07.htm

How many credits have I accumulated to date?

You can see the credits that have been reported for you to date by viewing your online MCLE roster. To access your roster, do the following:

Go to the WSBA web site home page at www.wsba.org.
Click on the blue and black "Online MCLE System" box in the right column.
Follow the instructions on the screen to reach your MCLE home page.
Click on "View Current Reporting Period" to access your online roster.
The bottom of your roster shows the total credits that you have accumulated to date.
There is a two-row set of boxes below your online roster. It shows the number of credits of each type required for compliance and the number of credits of each type that you still need to take and/or report to fulfill your compliance requirements for the reporting period.

NOTE: The sum of the credits in the "Ethics" plus "Live" credits remaining boxes may not equal the number in the "Total" credits remaining box. You have separate ethics, live, and total credit requirements for compliance. (See the FAQ in this section "What is the total credit requirement for reporting purposes?".)

The "Total" credits remaining box reflects the difference between your total credit requirement and the sum of all the live and A/V credits you have earned.

The "Ethics" credits remaining box reflects the difference between your total ethics credit requirement and the number of ethics credits you have earned.

The "Live" credits remaining box reflects the difference between your total live credit requirement and the number of live credits you have earned.

Below are two examples of when trying to add the "Ethics" plus "Live" credits remaining boxes do not equal the number in the "Total" credits remaining box.

Example #1: If you took all your ethics courses as live courses, then the live "Ethics" credits you took counted both as "Ethics" credits and as "Live" credits � they do double-duty to meet both your live and your ethics and live credit requirements. Each "credits remaining" box may show zero left to take and yet the "Total" box may show that you still need to take 15 more credits in order to meet compliance requirements. These courses can be of any type, as long as each course has been accredited by the MCLE Board. For example, you can take all the remaining credits as general credit AV courses if you want to since you have met the "Ethics" and "Live" credit requirements.

Example #2: The "Total" remaining credits box can show that you have completed your total 45 credit requirement (so zero credits are remaining for you to take) but the "Ethics" box can show that you have two credits left to take. This is because of the 45 credits required for compliance, at least six must be ethics and you have only taken four credits of "Ethics". Therefore, because you have to take two more "Ethics" credits, you will need to take 47 total credits in order to meet your credit compliance requirements.

If you are unable to view your credits online, you can contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org to inquire about the number of credits you have accumulated to date.

How many carryover credits can I have?

You may carry a maximum of 15 credits over into your next reporting period. Of the 15 total credits, a maximum of two may be ethics credits and a maximum of 5 may be audio/visual credits. If you have more than two live ethics credits in the extra credits (above what is needed for compliance) the excess will automatically be converted to general live carryover credits up to a maximum of 15 total carryover credits.

For the 2005-2007 and 2006-2008 reporting periods, in-house credits were limited per reporting period and any excess over the limit was not counted as carryover credits. For the 2007-2009 and subsequent reporting periods there is no limit on in-house credits and the normal carry-over rules will apply.

The number of carryover credits in each category from your last reporting period is on the CLE Certification (C2/C3) form sent in your license packet at the end of your reporting period. You can also see the number of carryover credits from the previous reporting period that you have by looking at the "Carryover from Previous Reporting Period" line at the bottom of your online MCLE roster. You can access your online roster on the MCLE system from the WSBA homepage at www.wsba.org. Click the blue "MCLE Online System" box in the right column, log in following the instructions on the screen, and click on "View Current Reporting Period" to access your online roster.

The credits listed in my online roster are incorrect. What can I do?

To correct the credits in your roster, do one of the following:

1. Make the corrections yourself on your online roster.

Go to the WSBA web site home page at www.wsba.org.
Click on the blue and black "Online MCLE System" box in the right column.
Follow the instructions on the screen to reach your MCLE home page.
Click on "View Current Reporting Period".
If the course you want to correct is listed on your roster
- Click "Edit" to the right of any course that does not show the correct number of credits and make the needed correction to the credits.
- Click "Delete" to the left of any course that should not be listed in your roster.

If you want to add a course to your roster

Click on "Add Activity" to add a course to your roster.
Click on the type of Form 1 activity you want to submit (Live, AV, etc.) Note: For "Live" and "AV" Form 1s, the MCLE system requires that you first do a search to see if your course has already been approved in the MCLE database before you will see the Form 1 buttons to click.
- If the course has already been approved, you can click on the course hyperlink to add it to your roster.
- If the course has not been approved, complete the Form 1. NOTE: Form 1 applications must include a detailed agenda of the activity, including the start and end times for each session and each break. A complete description of the content of each session is also required. Without a detailed agenda, no credit can be granted.

2. If you are unable to do the steps above, you can

Contact the WSBA Service Center at 206-443-9722, 800-945-9722, or questions@wsba.org to review, edit, or delete a course(s) in your online roster.
Print a Form 1 Application for Course Approval for each course that you want added to your online roster and mail or fax (206-727-8313) it to the WSBA. (Note: The approval process for paper Form 1s is significantly longer than for Form 1s submitted online.)

NOTE:
o A detailed agenda, as described in #1, is required.

o The approval process for paper Form 1s is significantly longer than for Form 1s submitted online.

Note:

Actively maintaining your WSBA online list of CLE activities that you have taken will make it easier to report compliance at the end of your reporting period.
It is important that your online record is correct, but the Supreme Court-mandated CLE Certification (C2/C3) form is the official declaration of your credit compliance, not your online roster. You can print out a copy of your online roster and attach it to the C2/C3 form to make reporting compliance easy at the end of your reporting period (instead of manually filling out the C3 side of the form). State on the C2/C3 form that the attached is the certified list of courses taken for compliance.
The credit totals reported on the 2009 license forms for lawyers reporting in 2007-2009 and later who have private law firm or corporate legal department credits on their rosters may not be correct. This is because the "in-house" credits reflect the APR 11 Regulation 104(e) 15-credit limits in effect when the forms were printed in November 2008. In-house limits were eliminated for these reporting groups when the new MCLE rules and regulations went into effect on January 1, 2009. Credits in lawyer rosters were adjusted on January 1, 2009 to reflect the correct totals. use only of the methods above to verify your credits totals.

What happens if I am not in compliance by December 31? What can I do? Do I need to request an extension? Do I need to send in the C2/C3 declaration anyway? Is there a late fee penalty assessed?

If you have not completed all the credits need for compliance by December 31:

You must still postmark or deliver the original C2/C3 certification form to the WSBA by February 1(or the first business day after February 1 if February 1 is on a weekend). If you need a replacement C2/C3 form, you can
- Print one from your online MCLE homepage. Click on the "Print Replacement C2/C3 Certification" link in the lower right side of the page.
- Request one by contacting the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org.
  
  Note: A faxed or PDF copy of the form is not acceptable. Your original signature is required.
You will need to request an extension. According to the revised APR 11.6(b) that went into effect on January 1, 2009, there will no longer be an automatic 4-month extension until May 1. You may request a petition for an extension by contacting the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org.
After you complete your required credits, certify the credits on a Supplemental Declaration form. You can obtain the form and certify your credits by doing one of the following:
- Go to your online MCLE homepage. Click on the "Print Supplemental Declaration Form" link in the lower right side of the page. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
- Go to the Forms for Lawyers web page. Under the "Supplemental Declaration Forms" heading, click on the link that corresponds to the reporting period for which you want a Supplemental Declaration form. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
- Contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722 or questions@wsba.org and request that a Supplemental Declaration be emailed or mailed to you. Complete the form and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
  
  NOTE:
- You may attach a print-out of your online roster instead of hand-listing the courses on the Supplemental Declaration form. State that the attached is a certified listing of courses you took for compliance. Complete the front side of the Supplemental Declaration form.
- Faxed or PDF copies will not be accepted because your original signature is required.
A late fee will be due. The late fee is $150 the first reporting period in which you either complete or report credits late, and increases by $300 ($450, $750, etc.) for each consecutive reporting period of non-compliance.

I earned a sufficient number of credits but I did not postmark or deliver my CLE Certification (C2/C3) form to the WSBA on or before February 1. Do I owe a late fee?

Yes. A late fee is assessed if your CLE Certification (C2/C3) form is postmarked or delivered to the WSBA after March 1 (the end of the grace period after the February 1 deadline). If March 1 is on a weekend, then it will be assessed after the first business day following the weekend. The late fee for the first incidence of non-compliance (credits not completed by December 31 or a late postmark/delivery of the C2/C3 form) is $150 and increases by $300 ($450, $750, etc. ) for each consecutive period of non-compliance.

How do the MCLE Late fees work?

If you are non-compliant for a reporting period, you are assessed a late fee. Non-compliance is defined as (1) not earning all your credits within the reporting period, (2) not postmarking or delivering your CLE Certification (C2/C3) form by the deadline, or (3) both. Credits must be earned by December 31 of the last year of your reporting period. The CLE Certification (C2/C3) form must be postmarked or delivered to the WSBA by March 1 of the following year (the end of the grace period after the February 1 deadline). If March 1 is on a weekend, then it will be assessed on the second business day following the weekend. The late fee for the first reporting period of non-compliance is $150 and increases by $300 for each consecutive three-year reporting period of noncompliance (i.e. the late fee is $450 for the second consecutive period of non-compliance, $750 for the third consecutive period of non-compliance, etc.)

If you owe a late fee, it must be paid in order to meet compliance requirements for the reporting period. Failure to pay the late fee by the final deadline may result in suspension from the active practice of law in Washington State.

How do I obtain a Supplemental Declaration for Reporting CLE credits?

You can do one of the following:

Go to your online MCLE homepage. Click on the "Print Supplemental Declaration Form" link in the lower right side of the page. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
Go to the Forms for Lawyers web page. Under the "Supplemental Declaration Forms" heading, click on the link that corresponds to the reporting period for which you want a Supplemental Declaration form. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
Contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org and request that a Supplemental Declaration be emailed or mailed to you. Complete the form and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.

Note:

The original Supplemental Declaration form must be mailed or delivered to the WSBA. Faxed or emailed PDF copies will not be accepted. Your original signature is required since the form is a declaration form by which you are certifying that you took the courses listed on (or attached to) the form for compliance.
You may attach a print-out of your online roster instead of hand-listing the courses on the Supplemental Declaration form. State that the attached is a certified listing of courses you took for compliance. Complete the front side of the Supplemental Declaration form.
If you did not file your CLE Certification (C2/C3) form, a Supplemental Declaration form will be enclosed with the notice of Pendency letter.

What will happen if I am not in compliance or don't file a petition by the Pendency deadline?

Your noncompliance will be reported to the Washington State Supreme Court recommending your suspension from the practice of law. You will be reinstated only after doing the following:

Filing a completed application to return to active status with the WSBA, together with any required application fee;
Making up any deficiency and fully complying with the provisions of APR 11 and the Appendix APR 11 regulations;
Paying all required fees, late fees, and/or penalties; and
Fully complying with any additional requirements imposed by the Admission to Practice Rules or the WSBA Bylaws.

Once a suspended lawyer has complied with the above provisions, the MCLE Board will recommend to the Supreme Court that the suspended lawyer be reinstated to active status, and refer the matter to the Supreme Court for entry of an appropriate order.

Can you send me verification that I am in compliance?

When the compliance data from your CLE Certification form has been entered into the MCLE system, your online roster will show your compliance status. We are unable to send written verification of compliance.

You can verify your compliance status by viewing your online MCLE roster. To access your online roster, do the following:

Go to the WSBA web site home page at www.wsba.org.
Click on the blue and black "Online MCLE System" box in the right column.
Follow the instructions on the screen to reach your MCLE home page.
Click on "View Current Reporting Period" to access your online roster.

As an alternative, you can contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org to inquire about your compliance status.

Is it possible to amend the CLE Certification (C2/C3) form that I submitted? I forgot to add a CLE activity.

You may amend your original C2/C3 form by filing a Supplemental Declaration form. You can obtain the form by doing one of the following:

Go to your online MCLE homepage. Click on the "Print Supplemental Declaration Form" link in the lower right side of the page. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
Go to the Forms for Lawyers web page. Under the "Supplemental Declaration Forms" heading, click on the link that corresponds to the reporting period for which you want a Supplemental Declaration form. Print the form, complete it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.
Contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org and request that a Supplemental Declaration be emailed or mailed to you. Complete the form and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.

When completing the Supplemental Declaration form, be sure that each activity listed is MCLE Board-approved. Also do the following:

Include the Activity ID number, course title, sponsor, activity date(s), location, and credits earned.
For audio-visual courses, also list (1) the recording date(s) of the course, and (2) the beginning and ending date during which you took the course.

Note: You may attach a print-out of your online roster instead of hand-listing the courses on the Supplemental Declaration form. State that the attached is a certified listing of courses you took for compliance. Complete the front side of the Supplemental Declaration form.

Can I get a copy of this reporting period's CLE Certification (C2/C3) form? I forgot to make a copy.

We will provide a copy for a $10 fee after all the forms for the reporting period have been entered in the database, sorted, and filed. Requests must be made in writing. Mail your request letter and a check for $10 (payable to WSBA) to MCLE C2/C3 Form Request, Washington State Bar Association, 1325 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101-2539.

Can I get a copy of my previous reporting period's CLE Certification (C2/C3) form?

C2/C3 forms for previous reporting periods are only kept for a short time. If your C2/C3 form is still onsite at the WSBA, the fee for a copy is $10. If it has been sent to off-site storage, the fee for a copy is $25. Please contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org and ask to speak with an MCLE Analyst. The Analyst will be able to tell you if we still have your form and, if so, whether it is onsite or at off-site storage.

If the MCLE Analyst confirms that we still have the form, please send a written request for your C2/C3 form to the WSBA and remit the appropriate fee (payable to WSBA). Mail to MCLE C2/C3 Form Request, Washington State Bar Association, 1325 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101-2539.

What if I report in Oregon, Idaho or Utah? What must I submit to satisfy the WSBA MCLE requirements?

If you are an active lawyer of the Washington State Bar Association and your principal office is located outside Washington State, you may meet your mandatory CLE requirements by providing proof of current compliance with the CLE requirements of Oregon, Idaho, or Utah ("comity" states with Washington). To meet Washington MCLE compliance requirements you must send both documents listed below to the WSBA:

A Certificate of MCLE Compliance from Oregon, Idaho, or Utah. You must contact the Oregon, Idaho or Utah State Bar to request this certificate. Do not send (1) a "Certificate of Good Standing," or (2) copy of your compliance report from the comity state. We must have a CERTIFICATE OF MCLE COMPLIANCE. See comity.
Your completed Washington CLE Certification (C2/C3) form (which is included in your licensing packet at the end of your reporting period).

Must I submit a form to designate my primary practice state?

The WSBA does not have a form for designating a primary practice state. Indicate your primary practice state by checking the appropriate box on your CLE Certification (C2/C3) form that you file at the end of your reporting period.

What if I reside outside of the U.S.? Must I continue to comply with MCLE compliance requirements?

Yes. If you reside outside of the U.S., you must continue to comply with MCLE requirements. If you find it difficult to attend live CLE activities while residing outside the U.S., you may request that the MCLE Board approve a waiver of the live credit requirement. The request must be made in writing and addressed to the MCLE Board. Because of the unavailability of live programs in some geographic areas, the MCLE Board may give approval to live programs offered in those areas that would not otherwise fully meet the standards for approval if offered in the U.S. For information, contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA, 206-443-WSBA, or questions@wsba.org.

How do I request an exemption from these requirements if I am retired, ill or for some similar reason am not practicing law, but want to remain an Active status member?

Exemptions from, or modifications to, MCLE requirements will only be considered for lawyers who send a written petition and affidavit or declaration to the MCLE Board. The affidavit or declaration must fully document personal circumstances that demonstrate undue hardship, age, or infirmity. The MCLE Board will not consider requests from lawyers who are not practicing law but cannot document undue hardship, age, or infirmity.
For further information about the requirements for exemptions and modifications see APR 11 Regulation 107.

If you have questions, contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-9722, 206-443-9722, or questions@wsba.org and ask that your inquiry be forwarded to an MCLE Analyst.

Any conflict between information on this web page and the Admission to Practice Rules of the State of Washington or regulations pertaining thereto (the Rules) is resolved in favor of the Rules.