The Supreme Court of Ohio is currently accepting public comment on several proposed amendments to the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. The comment period is open until May 11, 2026.
Among the proposed changes, several relate directly to continuing legal education and fall under Gov. Bar Rule X. For organizations involved in CLE accreditation, these proposals may affect both program design and how credit is allocated.
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Proposed Changes to CLE Requirements
The Court’s Commission on Continuing Legal Education has recommended adjustments to how CLE requirements are calculated and enforced.
One proposal would modify the proration calculation for attorneys who are active for only part of a CLE compliance period. This change may affect how credit requirements are determined in situations involving status changes during a reporting cycle.
Additional clarification is proposed regarding the criteria used to distinguish between suspensions and sanctions. While this does not directly alter CLE accreditation requirements, it may affect how non compliance is addressed in practice.
Impact on New Lawyers Training
Several proposed amendments focus on new lawyers training requirements.
The proposals include eliminating specialty programming approved specifically for new lawyers training. If adopted, all CLE approved activities would be available to all attorneys for credit, including those in their initial compliance period.
Other changes under consideration would increase the number of CLE hours required for new lawyers and extend the timeframe to complete those requirements. The proposals would also revise the categories of courses that new lawyers must complete.
From a CLE accreditation perspective, these changes may influence how providers structure introductory level programming and how courses are positioned for different audiences.
Pro Bono Credit and Accreditation Considerations
The proposed amendments also include revisions to the process for organizations seeking approval to offer CLE credit for pro bono services.
This may introduce additional procedural detail for providers pursuing CLE accreditation for activities that fall outside traditional course formats. Organizations offering or planning to offer pro bono related programming may need to review how their activities align with the updated framework if the changes are adopted.
Public Comment Process
The Supreme Court of Ohio is inviting written comments on the proposed rule changes until May 11, 2026. This process allows stakeholders, including CLE providers, to raise operational considerations and identify potential impacts on compliance and accreditation practices.
For organizations regularly seeking CLE accreditation in Ohio, reviewing the proposed amendments in detail may help anticipate adjustments to program planning and reporting obligations.
Recent Updates to CLE Application Submissions
In parallel with these proposed rule changes, the Registration and CLE Section has introduced updates to the CLE application process in the Sponsor Portal.
A new instructional video is now available, providing a step by step overview of how to submit an online CLE activity application. Sponsors can access this resource through the “Guides for Sponsors” section of the portal.
In addition, sponsors may now upload multiple attachments when submitting CLE applications. This enhancement may simplify the submission of supporting materials such as agendas and course documentation.
The application process also now requires sponsors to select a subject from a predefined “Subject Matter” list. If a subject is not listed, sponsors may select “Other” and enter the appropriate subject.
For previously approved applications where no subject was selected, sponsors are instructed to contact the Registration and CLE Section with the program title, activity code, and relevant subject information so that the record can be updated.
Practical Considerations for CLE Accreditation
Our consulting services support organizations throughout the CLE accreditation process, including reviewing course materials, coordinating submissions, and communicating with regulators. As requirements evolve, maintaining consistent and accurate CLE accreditation practices remains an important component of compliance.