Attorney registration and CLE in New York

Registering every two years

Every attorney admitted to practice in New York State after January 1, 1986, whether resident or nonresident, and whether or not in good standing, shall file a registration statement prior to taking the constitutional oath of office, and during each alternate year thereafter, within 30 days after the attorney's birthday, for as long as the attorney remains duly admitted to the New York bar.22 NYCRR 118.1(c), as published by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

Each registration statement filed pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $375. No fee shall be required from an attorney who certifies that he or she has retired from the practice of law.22 NYCRR 118.1(g)

A change of name or address has its own clock: “In the event of a change in the name of attorney, office addresses, home address, business telephone number, or e-mail address reported pursuant to subdivision (e) of this section, the attorney shall file an amended statement within 30 days of such change” (118.1(f)).

If a lawyer does not register

Failure by any attorney to comply with the provisions of this section shall result in referral for disciplinary action by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court pursuant to section 90 of the Judiciary Law.22 NYCRR 118.1(h)

On the register file of Sep 29, 2026, 15,500 registrations read “Delinquent” (4.0% of living registrants) and 20,229 “Suspended, delinquent”.

“Delinquent” is not a suspension: the lawyer is still admitted, but the register shows a statement it expected and did not receive. What the rule asks for is the missing statements with their fees (118.1(c) and (g)); once a referral or a suspension has followed, reinstatement is for the Appellate Division. A suspension shows as “Suspended, delinquent”.

What “Delinquent” means, and who holds it

Continuing legal education

Each attorney shall complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of accredited continuing legal education each biennial reporting cycle in ethics and professionalism, skills, law practice management, areas of professional practice, or diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias, or cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, at least four (4) credit hours of which shall be in ethics and professionalism, at least one (1) credit hour of which shall be in diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias, and at least one (1) credit hour of which shall be in cybersecurity, privacy and data protection.22 NYCRR 1500.22(a), as published by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

The biennial reporting cycle shall be the two-year period between the dates of submission of the attorney's biennial registration statement.22 NYCRR 1500.22(b)(1)

A newly admitted lawyer has a heavier start: “Within the first two (2) years of the date of admission to the Bar, each newly admitted attorney shall complete a minimum of 32 credit hours (16 credit hours each year) of accredited transitional education” (22 NYCRR 1500.12(a)). On the register file of Sep 29, 2026, 15,984 registrations were admitted in 2025 or 2026; those lawyers are within their first two years.

The lawyer reports it with the registration itself: “… each attorney subject to New York's continuing legal education requirements is required to certify along with the submission of his or her biennial attorney registration statement that the attorney has satisfactorily completed 24 credit hours of continuing legal education for the current biennial reporting cycle …” (1500.23(b)), and “shall retain the certificate of attendance or other documentation required by the board for each approved education course, program or activity for at least four years” (1500.23(a)).

These lawyers are exempt (1500.5(b)):

• attorneys who do not practice law in New York (subject to 1500.12(f) and 1500.22(n), which set conditions for newly admitted lawyers and for a return to practice)
• full-time active members of the United States Armed Forces and members of the military service of the State serving on active duty
• attorneys with offices outside of New York who are temporarily admitted to practice in a court within New York for a case or proceeding
• attorneys who certify that they are retired from the practice of law pursuant to section 468-a of the Judiciary Law

Both the registration and the CLE certification are filed with the court system’s Attorney Registration Unit (nycourts.gov/attorneys).