California MCLE rules · reviewed October 2026

California MCLE requirements & deadlines.

Active California attorneys must complete 25 hours of MCLE every three years — including 10 hours across five specialty categories — and report compliance to the State Bar.

The 25-hour breakdown

What you need each compliance period.

15h

Ethics (4)Bias (2)Competence (2)Tech (1)Civility (1)General (15)

4 hrs required

Legal Ethics

Professional responsibility, conflicts, client duties, and the California Rules of Professional Conduct.

6 episodes · 5.5 hrs available →

2 hrs required

Elimination of Bias

Bias in the profession and society. At least 1 hour must address implicit bias and bias-reducing strategies.

5 episodes · 3.5 hrs available →

2 hrs required

Competence

At least 1 hour on preventing and detecting substance use disorders, mental illness, and other impairments.

3 episodes · 3.5 hrs available →

1 hr required

Technology in the Practice of Law

Tools, AI, cybersecurity, e-discovery, and remote practice.

2 episodes · 2 hrs available →

1 hr required

Civility in the Legal Profession

Courtesy, respect, and professionalism in adversarial practice.

1 episode · 1.25 hrs available →

15 hrs required

General MCLE

Any approved MCLE activity, including extra hours in the categories above.

29 episodes · 30 hrs available →

Participatory credit: at least 12.5 of your 25 hours must be participatory. If your requirement is reduced (for example, because you were newly admitted or inactive for part of the period), the bias and competence-prevention requirements still can't drop below 1 hour each.

Compliance groups

Your deadline depends on your last name.

The State Bar moved every group to a March 30 reporting deadline. Groups 2 and 3 got a one-time 38-month transition cycle; after that, every group runs on a standard 36-month cycle starting March 30.

Group	Last names	Current compliance period	Report by
Group 1	A – G	Mar 30, 2025 – Mar 29, 2028	Mar 30, 2028
Group 2	H – M	Feb 1, 2024 – Mar 29, 2027 38-month transition	Mar 30, 2027
Group 3	N – Z	Mar 30, 2026 – Mar 29, 2029	Mar 30, 2029

Count down to your deadline

Your group is fixed when you're admitted and doesn't change if your last name changes. Confirm yours with the State Bar's compliance group lookup.

Reporting

How California reporting works.

You report, not your provider. California is a self-reporting state. At the end of your compliance period you certify to the State Bar that you completed your hours. Providers don't report individual courses.

Keep your certificates. The State Bar audits compliance, so keep a record of every course. TalksOnLaw also keeps attendance records for four years.

Missing the deadline costs money. Licensees who don't comply on time face late fees and can be enrolled as not entitled to practice until they come into compliance.

Sources: State Bar of California, MCLE Requirements. This page is a summary, not legal advice. Always confirm your obligations with the State Bar.