What is the South Carolina CLE Requirement?
The Supreme Courst of South Carolina adopted the mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) program in 1982. South Carolina rules require all active South Carolina attorneys to complete a minimum of 14 credit hours. At least 2 of these hours must focus on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility (LEPR). Every 2 reporting years, attorneys must also complete at least 1 hour of CLE related to substance abuse, mental health issues, or stress management in the legal profession (SA/MH). South Carolina CLE is required so you can remain competent and current with the law.
Attorneys can carry over a maximum of 14 SC CLE credit hours, including 2 hours of LEPR credit. On-demand credit hours cannot be carried forward. South Carolina limits the number of on-demand credit hours an attorney can take. Attorneys may earn a maximum of 8 on-demand credit hours through online courses, such as those offered on Attorney Credits.
SC attorneys will meet MCLE compliance requirements when they: complete the required MCLE and LEPR credit hours, complete SA/MH hours every other compliance year, file the compliance report listing all courses attended, and pay the filing fee.
South Carolina CLE Compliance Dates
The South Carolina MCLE reporting year runs from March 1 until the last day of February. The filing deadline is March 1 each year. To confirm that your hours have been reported, attorneys should log into their South Carolina attorney account.
Newly Admitted Attorneys
Newly admitted attorneys do not need to meet CLE requirements during the CLE reporting year in which they are admitted to the South Carolina Bar. They will begin their first MCLE reporting year on March 1 after their date of admission.
Before the first compliance cycle ends, newly admitted attorneys must complete an Essential Series course administered by the SC Bar CLE Division.
Attorney Credits
Attorney Credits is a nationwide CLE provider and our courses are approved by the South Carolina Commission on CLE and Specialization. We can save your law firm time and money with our Teams by Attorney Credits firm offering. Our South Carolina Bundles are also very popular for completing 8 South Carolina CLE hours.