MCLE rules & regulations · reviewed October 2026
Texas MCLE rules, in plain English.
Texas MCLE is governed by Article XII of the State Bar Rules and the MCLE Regulations, most recently effective April 24, 2026. Here's what they require.
| Topic | The rule | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Annual hours | 15 hours per compliance year, at least 12 of them accredited CLE. | §3.1 |
| Ethics | At least 3 hours of legal ethics / professional responsibility; at least 2 must be accredited, 1 may be self-study. | §3.2 |
| Self-study | Up to 3 hours per compliance year. A waiver may be requested in extraordinary circumstances. | §2.2, §5.11 |
| Carryover | Hours above 15 carry forward to the next compliance year only, up to 15 hours. Extra ethics hours carry forward the same way. | §3.3 |
| Compliance year | Ends on the last day of the month before your birth month. | §1.2, §5 |
| New attorneys | Initial compliance year runs 24 months from the first day of the birth month after licensure. Credits from the 12 months before it may count. | §1.2, §1.3 |
| Grace period | Through the last day of your birth month; credits must be reported in that window to avoid a fee. | §1.4, §7.2 |
| Non-compliance fee | $100 within one month after your birth month; $200 within two months; $300 after that, before suspension. | §7.3 |
| Suspension | Members who don't resolve a deficiency within three months after their birth month face suspension. | §7.1 |
| Extensions | Up to 90 days past the end of your birth month, for good cause, by petition. | §5.12 |
Source: State Bar of Texas, MCLE Regulations (effective April 24, 2026). This page is a summary, not legal advice. Always confirm your obligations with the State Bar of Texas.