I’m a federal justice, judge or magistrate and have claimed the federal exemption in the past. What are my options now that the federal exemption is no longer available?
If you assume federal inactive status with the Board of Professional Responsibility under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 10.3(a), you will be designated as inactive with the CLE Commission and thus exempt from CLE requirements, unless otherwise ordered by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Section 2D(2)(c) of the Regulations of the Tennessee Commission on Continuing […]
I’ve claimed the military exemption in the past. What are my options now that the exemption is no longer available?
Attorneys who assume active military exempt status with the Board of Professional Responsibility pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 10.3(c) are automatically exempted from CLE requirements. See Regulations of the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education, Section 2D(1)(a). When your miliary service has ended and you wish to return to regular, active status, […]
I live out of state and have claimed the non-resident exemption in the past. Now that the exemption is no longer available, what are my options?
If you are not practicing in Tennessee, you may go inactive with the Board of Professional Responsibility. This will automatically make you inactive with the CLE Commission and exempt you from CLE requirements. To return to active status, you will need to complete up to two years of CLE credits. If you live outside Tennessee […]
I am inactive with or suspended by the CLE Commission. What must I do become active again?
To be eligible for active status, inactive attorneys are required to complete up to 2 years of CLE missed while inactive. Only credits earned in the two years immediately preceding reinstatement shall be counted. A suspended attorney is required to complete up to 5 years of CLE. Thus, if an attorney is suspended for 2 years, […]
Are disabled attorneys exempt from CLE requirements?
Attorneys on disability inactive status with the Board of Professional Responsibility are automatically placed on disability inactive status with the CLE Commission is exempt from CLE requirements. To return to active status, they must make up CLE credits missed while inactive, up to a maximum of two years of credit. Only credits earned in the […]
What’s the deadline for filing an exemption?
If you qualify for an exemption, you may claim it after the compliance year ends (on December 31) when you file your Annual Report Statement. The Commission sends out Annual Report Statements by the end of February each year. To avoid penalty, you must claim your exemption by March 31. If you fail to claim […]
I am over 70 years old. Am I now exempt from CLE obligations?
Attorneys who have reached the age of 71 are exempt from Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21 and are no longer required to earn CLE. However, they may continue to earn as much CLE as they wish. The age exemption is applied automatically.
I have not lived in Tennessee for years and have been claiming the non-resident exemption. This year I [provided a little advice or Tennessee law/ made a short appearance in court/ filed a legal document and the case closed days later]. Can I claim the non-resident exemption for this compliance year?
No, if you practiced Tennessee law, even briefly, you cannot claim the exemption for the year. Remember that providing counsel and advice counts as the practice of law. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NON-RESIDENT EXEMPTION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2026 COMPLIANCE YEAR.
Can attorneys go inactive with the Commission on CLE?
Yes, attorneys on any inactive status with the Board of Professional Responsibility, or who are otherwise exempt from Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9 under Section 10.3, are automatically designated as inactive with the CLE Commission, unless otherwise ordered by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Before resuming the practice of law in any U.S. jurisdiction, attorneys are […]
What exemptions are available?
“The Commission shall recognize the following exemptions: (a) Nonresident attorneys from other jurisdictions who are temporarily admitted to practice for a case or proceeding shall not be subject to [Rule 21]; (b) Members of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not be subject to this Rule. Any attorney claiming active duty military exemption shall […]