Frequently Asked Questions


If you require assistance concerning seminar approval, teaching credit or compliance information and deadlines please contact us.

Mailing:   1901 N. Lincoln Blvd.  P.O. Box 53036
Oklahoma City,  OK  73152

E-mail:   mcle@okbar.org

Phone:   (405) 416-7009   or  (800) 522-8065

Attorney

Unless exempt, the annual requirement is 12 Oklahoma MCLE approved CLE credits, which must include at least two approved legal ethics credit.
Except for associate and retired members, every active and senior OBA member must comply with the requirements unless covered by an exemption under Supreme Court Rule 2.
Yes
The period from January 1 through December 31 is the Oklahoma MCLE compliance period.
Newly licensed attorneys are exempt from the educational requirement for the remainder of the calendar year during which they are first admitted to practice law in Oklahoma. Credit earned while exempt may be carried forward, if that credit is reported the year it is earned.
It is not possible for attorneys to self-report their credits online. Providers are required to post credits within 30 days. The lawyer may submit a certificate of course completion to mcle@okbar.org or by the regular mail.
Yes. A maximum of one year's requirement may be carried to the following year, providing such credit is reported the year it is earned.
Lawyers receive an Interim credit reminder in October by email. Members can check their current status online at any time or contact the MCLE Department.
The MCLE rules no longer require that an Annual Report of Compliance be filed by members whose MCLE record reflects that he or she earned the required credit by December 31. The Annual Report of Compliance must be filed by members who do not have sufficient credit on their MCLE transcript or by members who must report an exemption. Exemptions for newly admitted attorneys are recorded automatically. No report is required from members entitled to this exemption. MCLE exemptions can also be reported online at www.okmcle.org.
Many sponsors are familiar with the application and attendance reporting procedures in Oklahoma and may submit applications at the attorney's request. Attorneys are also able to submit applications for possible approval. If the sponsor does not apply, an attorney may apply for course approval by completing the Uniform Application for Approval of CLE. The completed application, along with the $15 per application fee and the required attachments should be submitted to the OK MCLE office. A review of the seminar handout materials may also be required. MCLE Regulation 4.5 requires that applications should be submitted at least 45 days before the program. Applications may also be submitted within 90 days after a program or by December 31, whichever comes first. Applicants are notified of the MCLE department’s decision by email.
Allocation of continuing legal education credits is never arbitrary. Each 50 minute segment of actual legal instruction constitutes 1.0 CLE credit. Fractions of credit are rounded to the nearest whole or half credit.
No. The OBA MCLE department will review an application for a CLE program held in any state or country.
In addition to in-person programs, lawyers may earn credit by completing OK MCLE approved distance learning programs, including webcasts, webcast replays, video conferences, teleconferences and on-demand programs. There are no restrictions on the number of distance learning credits lawyers may use each year.
Oklahoma approves in-house programs, when the program meets the OK MCLE in-house requirements. These requirements are found on the forms. Applications must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the program. In-house programs must be open and available to outsiders, if space permits and the program must meet all the standards for course approval found in Rule 7, Regulation 4.
Credit is available for regular enrollment or auditing an ABA accredited college of law course. Credit awarded is equal to 3 times the number of credit hours granted by the college of law for completion of the course. A college transcript is required.
Attorneys may apply for teaching credit using the prescribed form. A notice of approval will be sent to the lawyer by email. Sponsors are also able to post teaching credit.
Lawyers are entitled to 6 CLE credits for each 50 minutes of instruction at an approved continuing legal education activity. If there are multiple presenters, the time is divided by the number of presenters. Teaching credit is not awarded for the conference moderator and will not be awarded for teaching to a non-attorney audience. However, it may be possible to earn CLE teaching credit for presentations made to paralegals, legal assistants or legal secretaries. Teaching credit is also available to those who teach a course in an ABA accredited law school. The instructor is entitled to 6 CLE credits for each college credit hour granted by the college for completion of the course.
No.
No. There is assessed a $100 fee when credits are completed after December 31, but before the following February 15. When credits for the previous year are completed after February 15, the late fee is $200. Members who remain noncompliant will be suspended.
The MCLE Commission has the authority to consider written requests for a full or partial waiver. There is a form to complete to make this request. Medical requests must be accompanied by a supporting statement from a physician.
No. The OK MCLE office is the regulatory office. This office reviews programs for possible OKMCLE credit and keeps a record of the OK MCLE approved courses attended by OBA members. The OBA CLE department presents CLE programs. You can find a catalog of their courses on the OBA website, www.okbar.inreach.com
The MCLE Office is located at the Oklahoma Bar Center. This office can be reached at (405) 416-7009 or (800) 522-8065 or mcle@okbar.org.