Recently, the California State Senate passed a bill (SB144) that amends the State Business & Professions Code (Section 6070) lowering the number of hours of MCLE required by California Attorneys from 36 hours every 36 months to only 25 (Paragraph a)

The Bill also instructs the State Bar to "ensure that by July 1, 2000, any member possessing or having access to the internet or specified generally available computer technology shall be capable of satisfying the full self-study portion of his or her MCLE requirement at a cost of fifteen dollars ($15) per hour or less," (Paragraph d).

In accordance with these changes, Internet For Lawyers offers the online MCLE quizzes listed at the right. One hour of California MCLE credit may be earned for only $20.00. All four required hours of Legal Ethics CLE credit can be earned for only $15.00 each. The exam can be viewed for free prior to taking them.

For a full list of the upcoming California State Bar MCLE deadlines visit click here.

For the text of proposed changes to the California State Bar MCLE requirements (Rule 958), click on http://www.calbar.org/2cer/mclerev.htm.

Contact Internet For Lawyers at seminars@netforlawyers.com or 310/559-2247 to arrange an in-person training seminar for yourself, practice group, law firm or professional organization - or view our online calendar for upcoming scheduled live MCLE events.

The following is the text of the California Business & Professions Code (Section 6070) as amended by California Senate Bill 144

6070. (a) The State Bar shall request the California Supreme Court to adopt a rule of court authorizing the State Bar to establish and administer a mandatory continuing legal education program. The rule that the State Bar requests the Supreme Court to adopt shall require that, within designated 36-month periods, all active members of the State Bar shall complete at least 25 hours of legal education activities approved by the State Bar or offered by a State Bar approved provider, with four of those hours in legal ethics. A member of the State Bar who fails to satisfy the mandatory continuing legal education requirements of the program authorized by the Supreme Court rule shall be enrolled as an inactive member pursuant to rules adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar.

(b) For purposes of this section, statewide associations of public agencies and incorporated, nonprofit professional associations of attorneys, shall be certified as State Bar approved providers upon completion of an appropriate application process to be established by the State Bar. The certification may be revoked only by majority vote of the board, after notice and hearing, and for good cause shown. Programs provided by the California District Attorneys Association or the California Public Defenders Association, or both, including, but not limited to, programs provided pursuant to Title 1.5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 4 of the Penal Code, are deemed to be legal education activities approved by the State Bar or offered by a State Bar approved provider.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a), officers and elected officials of the State of California, and full-time professors at law schools accredited by the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, or both, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. Full-time employees of the State of California, acting within the scope of their employment, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the State of California, or any political subdivision thereof, from establishing or maintaining its own continuing education requirements for its employees.

(d) The State Bar shall provide and encourage the development of low-cost programs and materials by which members may satisfy their continuing education requirements. Special emphasis shall be placed upon the use of internet capabilities and computer technology in the development and provision of no-cost and low-cost programs and materials. Towards this purpose, the State Bar shall ensure that by July 1, 2000, any member possessing or having access to the internet or specified generally available computer technology shall be capable of satisfying the full self-study portion of his or her MCLE requirement at a cost of fifteen dollars ($15) per hour or less.

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