Illinois MCLE requirements & deadlines.
Active Illinois attorneys must complete 30 hours of MCLE every two years, including 6 hours of professional responsibility with at least 1 hour each of diversity & inclusion and mental health & substance abuse.
What you need each reporting period.
Professional Responsibility
At least 6 of your 30 hours — ethics, professionalism, civility, and related topics. Includes the two subcategories below.
Diversity & Inclusion
At least 1 of the 6 PR hours must be accredited for diversity and inclusion.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
At least 1 of the 6 PR hours must be accredited for mental health and substance abuse.
General CLE
Any accredited Illinois activity, including additional PR hours.
Two-year periods, split by last name.
Periods run July 1 to June 30. A–M attorneys report in even-numbered years; N–Z attorneys report in odd-numbered years.
| Last names | Current reporting period | Complete by | Report by |
|---|---|---|---|
| N – Z | Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2027 | Jun 30, 2027 | Jul 31, 2027 |
| A – M | Jul 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2028 | Jun 30, 2028 | Jul 31, 2028 |
How Illinois reporting works.
Your transcript is your report. Accredited providers report your attendance to the MCLE Board, and your online transcript reflects your credits. Once you're compliant, the Board confirms by email. TalksOnLaw reports podcast attendance monthly on your behalf.
Extra hours can carry over. Up to 10 hours earned beyond the requirement may carry over to your next reporting period.
Deadlines are enforced. Missing the completion or reporting deadline triggers a late fee and can lead to removal from the master roll of attorneys. A grace-period extension is available for a fee.
Sources: Illinois MCLE Board, 2024–2026 requirements; ISBA Mutual, 2026 Illinois MCLE deadline guide; mcleboard.org. This page is a summary, not legal advice. Always confirm your obligations with the MCLE Board.