The New York State Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board has announced that temporary pandemic-era changes to CLE format rules will expire on June 30, 2025. This update directly affects newly admitted attorneys and the CLE accreditation policies that govern their skills-based training.
As a CLE consulting service provider, we’re breaking down exactly what this change means, and what law firms, training providers, and attorneys should be doing to stay compliant.
Summary of the CLE Format Changes
The flexibility granted during the COVID-19 pandemic for Skills credits, allowing newly admitted attorneys to participate in remote and virtual formats, will be phased out. Here’s the official timeline based on the New York State CLE Board’s April 2025 update:
Through June 30, 2025:
- Newly admitted attorneys can earn Skills credits via live, synchronous remote formats, including:
- Webconferences
- Teleconferences
- Videoconferences
- These formats must include real-time interactivity, allowing participants to ask questions during the session.
July 1 – December 31, 2025:
- The same remote formats will continue to be accepted, but only for Skills credits completed during this grace period.
After December 31, 2025:
- Skills CLE credits must be completed only through:
- Traditional live classroom instruction, or
- Fully interactive group videoconferencing, where all participants are together in one setting (not individual remote access).
What This Means for CLE Accreditation Planning
This shift has important implications for attorneys, law firms, and CLE program providers who must meet New York’s CLE accreditation standards:
- For Newly Admitted Attorneys: You must plan to complete Skills training in-person or in group-based virtual formats starting in 2026.
- For Law Firms: You’ll need to revisit how your internal CLE programs are delivered and verify that they comply with these stricter format rules.
- For CLE Providers: Ensure your course offerings, delivery platforms, and group participation models are aligned with the new standards.
How We Help: CLE Accreditation Consulting That Keeps You Compliant
While the sunset date of December 31, 2025, may seem far off, CLE providers and legal teams should act now. Many firms are planning 2026 budgets and training calendars today, and failure to adapt early could mean compliance gaps for newly admitted attorneys.
Our CLE consulting services are built to help law firms, legal departments, and education providers stay fully aligned with evolving state requirements like these.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and ensure your CLE accreditation strategy is ready for what’s next.
