Does New Jersey Have Mandatory CLE (MCLE)?

Yes. Effective January 1, 2010, all lawyers holding a license to practice law in the State of New Jersey, whether plenary or limited, are required to participate in the mandatory continuing legal education program set forth in Rule 1:42, entitled “Continuing Legal Education.” The Rule, which was adopted on December 18, 2009, requires all attorneys who are licensed to practice in the State to take 24 hours of continuing legal education every two years, including at least four hours on topics related to ethics and/or professionalism.  

The program is mandatory for attorneys, judges, in-house corporate counsel and attorneys who work for government entities.

Regulations of the Board on Continuing Legal Education pursuant to Rule 1:42-2(b)(4) were approved on January 15, 2010 and adopted by the Supreme Court of New Jersey on January 26, 2010. The regulations set forth the mandatory continuing legal education requirements for New Jersey attorneys.  

Click here to link to the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Board on Continuing Legal Education home page.
Click here to link to Rule 1:42-1 et seq. 
Click here to link to the Regulations on the Board of Continuing Legal Education