I am inactive with or suspended by the CLE Commission. What must I do become active again?
To return to active status from either inactive or suspended status, an attorney must earn and report CLE credits sufficient to meet the requirements of the years while inactive or suspended, to a maximum of 5 years, prior to having their license reinstated. Thus, if an attorney is inactive for 2 years, they must make […]
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 […]
Are disabled attorneys exempt from CLE requirements?
Disabled attorneys have the same obligation to earn CLE or to file a valid exemption under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21 § 2.03. While there is no specific exemption for disabled attorneys, any attorney may file for exceptional relief for a modification of the requirements or a substitute program. Requests are approved or disapproved on […]
I am over 70 years old. Am I now exempt from CLE obligations?
No. The age exemption is not automatic. It must be requested. An attorney is eligible to claim the age exemption by filing a request with the CLE Commission in the compliance year after they turn 70. The exemption may be requested on the Annual Report Statement or by submitting a Request for Age Exemption form via email or mail. See Tenn. […]
Are attorneys with inactive law licenses required to earn CLE?
Possibly. Placing a law license on inactive status with the Board of Professional Responsibility does not automatically excuse the CLE requirement. See Regulation 2B.1. An attorney who places his or her license on inactive status with the Board of Professional Responsibility but has not placed his or her license on inactive status with the Commission […]
What is the difference between going inactive with the CLE Commission and claiming the non-resident exemption?
To become INACTIVE with the CLE Commission: (1) you cannot practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction and (2) your law license must be inactive with the BPR. Placing your license in inactive status with the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) does not automatically eliminate your CLE obligation. Attorneys must also request inactive status with the […]
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 still 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.
Can attorneys go inactive with the Commission on CLE?
Yes, but only if the attorney is no longer practicing law in any U.S. jurisdiction. To apply for inactive status, complete the Request for Inactive Status online, mail it to our office, or email it to: info@cletn.com. Before resuming the practice of law in any U.S. jurisdiction, attorneys are required to make up any CLE […]
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 […]
I lived outside of Tennessee and did not practice Tennessee law during the compliance year. Am I exempt from CLE?
Attorneys are not automatically exempt, but may be eligible to claim one of the exemptions enumerated in Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21, Section 2. Other than the age exemption, exemptions must be claimed annually after the December 31 close of each compliance year by filing an online Annual Report Statement (ARS). Failure to timely file […]
