Is there a mandatory CLE requirement in New Jersey?

Although there is no ongoing mandatory continuing legal education (CLE) requirement in New Jersey, a part of the eligibility requirements for practicing law in New Jersey is completing the Skills and Methods Course that is administered by ICLE on behalf of the New Jersey Supreme Court. This course is required for all newly admitted attorneys, as well as attorneys admitted in other states who have just been admitted in New Jersey. To find out about additional requirements for practicing law in New Jersey, please contact the Board of Bar Examiners at 609-984-2111.

Prior to 1987, attorneys completed Skills & Methods before sitting for the bar. Currently, there are no additional CLE requirements if you fall in this time frame.

a) Core Component (First Year Requirement) - A cycle of five "core" courses is offered four times each year - Family Law; Real Estate; Will Drafting; Probate Procedure; Professional Responsibility; and Civil or Criminal Trial Preparation. Each course includes a practice exercise which must be sent to ICLE and received by the assigned due date. Newly licensed attorneys must complete these courses and practice exercises within two cycles after being sworn in. For more information, click here.

b) Continuing Education Component (Second Year) - Newly licensed attorneys must complete two courses - Administrative Law and either Civil Trial Preparation or Criminal Trial Preparation, whichever course was not taken during the core component. The Second Year Requirement must be completed by the second anniversary of being admitted to the bar. For more information, click here.

c) Continuing Education Component (Third Year) - Newly licensed attorneys must complete TWO courses from a list of six different titles - Bankruptcy; Collection Practice; Landlord-Tenant Practice; Municipal Court; Workers’ Compensation; and Small Business. The Third Year Requirement must be completed by the third anniversary of being admitted to the bar. For more information, click here.

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