Instructions for Professional Responsibility
Continuing Legal Education Applications

Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 799, the Commission on Professionalism must approve the substance of all courses or activities offered to fulfill the professional responsibility requirement of Supreme Court Rule 794(d). In addition, the Commission on Professionalism must approve the four hours of professional responsibility content required in every Basic Skills Course offered pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 793.

Before professional responsibility course application can be made to the Commission on Professionalism, the provider must receive Accredited CLE Provider status from the MCLE Board or the provider must obtain individual course approval from the MCLE Board.

Instructions for Accredited CLE Providers

Accredited CLE Providers are required to provide the MCLE Board accreditation approval date in the applications listed below.

For each Professional Responsibility course or course segment, complete Application A: Professional Responsibility CLE Course Application

For Basic Skills courses, complete Application B: Basic Skills Course—Professional Responsibility Component(s) Basic Skills Course must contain at least four hours of professional responsibility content.

For repeat courses, there is no need to re-submit for approval if all the following criteria apply:

• substantially the same course content, learning objectives and course design are used
• substantially the same facilitators are used
  
• course date(s) occur within twelve months of the initial course approval
• provider remains accredited by the MCLE Board during the course date(s) and complies with all accreditation standards, including delivery method, issued by the MCLE Board

Instructions for Individual Course Providers

Submit course to MCLE Board and obtain MCLE Board approval of the course. Date of course approval is required to complete the applications listed below.

For each Professional Responsibility course or course segment, complete Application A: Professional Responsibility CLE Course Application.

For Basic Skills course, complete Application B: Basic Skills Course—Professional Responsibility Component(s).

Instructions for Non-Traditional CLE

Application for non-traditional continuing legal education may be completed by individuals or organizations (See Rule 795(d (2-7)).

Prior approval from the MCLE Board is not required.

Complete Application C : Professional Responsibility Non-Traditional CLE Application.

Instructions for Attorney Application for Individual Out-of-State CLE

On October 4, 2007, the Supreme Court amended Rule 795 to allow an attorney to apply to the MCLE Board for accreditation of an individual out-of-state CLE course under certain circumstances. The Commission on Professionalism is required to approve the substance of all courses or activities in the area professional responsibility, even when attorneys seek professional responsibility credit for individual out of-state courses. There is no fee for this service.

Before applying for professional responsibility course credit, attorneys must first apply to, and receive course accreditation from, the Illinois MCLE Board. The Illinois MCLE Board accredits individual out-of-state CLE course if the following provisions are satisfied: (i) the attorney participated in the course in person or via audio or video conference; (ii) the out-of-state course is accredited by that state’s CLE program; and (iii) the course provider has chosen not to seek accreditation of the course for Illinois MCLE credit.

If you have received accreditation for an out-of-state course from the MCLE Board for general CLE credit, and you also seek to have that course, or a portion of that course, qualify for professional responsibility credit, please complete Application D: Individual Out-of State CLE Attorney Application.