Newly admitted California attorneys must complete the 10-hour online New Attorney Training (NAT) requirement. The requirement must be completed within one year of an attorney’s admission to the State Bar. This requirement consists of a specific program of instruction created by the State Bar of California.
- How long do I have to complete the requirement?
- What is the requirement?
- How do I access the courses?
- How much do the courses cost?
- Can I use New Attorney Training courses towards my regular Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirement?
- Do I need to keep records of my course completion?
- What happens if I do not complete the New Attorney Training?
How long do I have to complete the requirement?
You will have one year from the last day of the month in which you were admitted, to complete the requirement. For example, an attorney admitted on December 1, 2024, must complete the training by December 31, 2025, (Rule 2.53(D), Division 4, Chapter 1 of the Rules of the State Bar).
What is the requirement?
The New Attorney Training requirement is a series of online courses. There are nine courses which make up the 10-hour requirement. The courses include 4 hours of legal ethics, 3 hours of basic skills, 1.5 hours on competency (substance abuse and mental health issues), and 1.5 hours on the elimination of bias.
How do I access the courses?
To access the online program, you will need to set up your My State Bar Profile. Once you have done that, you can log in and out at any time, and your progress will be automatically saved.
How much do the courses cost?
The courses are free of charge and are exclusively available to newly admitted attorneys who are required to complete them.
Can I use New Attorney Training courses towards my regular Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirement?
Yes. You may use these courses to fulfill your regular MCLE requirement, provided that the courses are taken within the appropriate MCLE compliance period.
Do I need to keep records of my course completion?
Yes. After completing each course, you will receive a certificate that you should save to document your completion. Be aware that course materials and certificates of completion must be printed or saved within 30 days of course completion. After that, they are no longer available.
What happens if I do not complete the New Attorney Training?
Failure to complete the training by the one-year deadline will result in a late penalty being assessed and a final notice being issued. If the training is still not completed after the final notice is issued, you will be placed on involuntary inactive status and be listed in the State Bar records as Not Eligible to Practice until such time as you complete this requirement.
Questions regarding the New Attorney Training requirement? Contact us at NAT@calbar.ca.gov.