MCLE Jurisidictions and Reciprocity - Is it Available?

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about New Jersey’s reciprocity rule, something about which I’d received many questions. Hopefully the post cleared up some of the confusion that providers and attorneys had regarding the rule.

I’ve recently received a question about reciprocity more generally across the MCLE jurisdictions: How, without contacting each and every state, does one find out if a state accepts credits approved elsewhere?

Reqwired, a software platform that provides MCLE compliance tracking and a learning management system, is owned by Thomson Reuters Legal, the company for which I work. We maintain a resources bank of information, free and available to the public. For each MCLE jurisdiction, we have listed the rules and requirements in a standard format, so that an easier comparison may be done across multiple states. For each rule summary, the information is presented in the same way.

We have also built a reciprocity table, which details how the states which do allow for some reciprocity accept credit. The table also lists which states have no reciprocity rule. One thing to note (and we have tried to include this in the table), is that while there may be a reciprocity rule in place for the state, an application or evidence of certification may be still be required.

As you can see by the table, for the vast majority of MCLE jurisdictions, no reciprocity exists. A provider must apply for and receive separate approval from each state in which it wishes to grant credit.

Comments

[Tim Baran]

Great topic, Gina. I've removed reciprocity as a viable option for my clients since it's fraught with uncertainty, confusion and often conflicting advice.

[Gina]

Well said Tim. We are relying on New Jersey reciprocity rule until our approved provider application is approved, but do not use the reciprocity rule for any other state.