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 your penalty by the deadline, you will be assessed a $100 noncompliance fee.

To avoid further penalty, you must pay the $100 noncompliance fee and claim your exemption (or complete your hours) by May 31. If you fail to do so, you will be assessed an additional $200 continuing noncompliance fee.

Attorneys who remain noncompliant after the May 31 deadline may be placed on the draft Suspension Order, submitted to the Tennessee Supreme Court on July 1, and ultimately may be suspended in August.