By Anne Hickey, PBI Sheehan Scholar
Continuing legal education (CLE) requirements are designed to ensure attorneys remain informed about developments in the law and maintain the skills necessary to serve their clients effectively. Traditionally, attorneys have satisfied CLE requirements through courses, trainings, and other educational programs. An increasing number of jurisdictions have recognized another way for attorneys to contribute to their professional development: providing pro bono legal services. To help attorneys and organizations navigate credit rules, Pro Bono Institute (PBI) recently updated its CLE Credits and Pro Bono Guide, which provides an overview of how jurisdictions around the U.S. address pro bono services as a means to gain CLE credit.
Upward Trend in the United States
A growing number of jurisdictions have adopted rules allowing attorneys to receive CLE credit for qualifying pro bono work. As of June 2026, states permit attorneys to earn some CLE credit through pro bono legal representation among the 46 U.S. jurisdictions with mandatory CLE requirements. The remaining jurisdictions with CLE mandates do not permit pro bono service to count toward CLE credit, and four states and Washington, D.C. do not have mandatory CLE requirements.
Notably, Connecticut introduced a rule to count pro bono work for CLE credit in 2025, permitting volunteers to earn CLE by performing pro bono legal services through certain court, nonprofit, and bar association programs. Furthermore, states like Illinois and South Carolina have launched pilot programs recognizing pro bono service with CLE credit. In 2025, Illinois launched a two-year pilot program allowing attorneys to earn CLE credit for providing pro bono assistance through Illinois Free Legal Answers. South Carolina previously launched a pilot program allowing attorneys participating in the Charleston Housing Court Pro Bono Program to receive CLE credit for pro bono representation. Likewise, other jurisdictions are increasing how many CLE credits may be earned through pro bono service. As of November 2024, Delaware allows one CLE credit hour for every two hours of legal services performed, with a maximum of twenty CLE credit hours per two-year compliance period (compared to a maximum of six CLE credit hours previously).
CLE Credit as an Incentive for Pro Bono Participation
Allowing pro bono service to count toward CLE requirements provides an additional incentive for attorneys to volunteer. According to a of more than 19,000 attorneys across 23 states, CLE credit for pro bono work ranked among the highest-rated incentives. By recognizing pro bono work as a form of professional development, jurisdictions can help reduce competing demands on attorneys’ time while supporting access to justice.
Global Approaches
Recognizing pro bono service through professional development incentives extends beyond the United States. While other legal systems have different professional requirements, several jurisdictions have adopted forms of professional development or CLE-related recognition for pro bono work. According to the 2026 Global Pro Bono Guide published by Latham & Watkins, PBI, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation, five other jurisdictions outside the U.S. offer some form of professional development or CLE credit for pro bono work. These jurisdictions include Tanzania, the Philippines, England and Wales, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia.
The United Arab Emirates provides an example of recognizing pro bono service through professional development requirements. In Dubai, the Legal Affairs Department’s Continuing Legal Professional Development (CLPD) Programme allows legal consultants to earn accredited CLPD points for qualifying pro bono legal work. Legal consultants may receive one CLPD point for every four completed pro bono appointments, with up to four points per reporting period. While England and Wales do not have a certain credit requirement for continuing education, pro bono hours can be counted towards both solicitors’ and barristers’ competence requirements. Under their Continuing Competence system, attorneys do not have to obtain a certain amount of credits, but they are required to undertake learning and development activities, keep a record of them, and reflect on how they can incorporate what they have learned into their practice. In Malaysia, advocates and solicitors subject to the Malaysian Bar’s mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements may earn CPD credit for qualifying pro bono work. While pro bono matters handled independently do not receive CPD points, lawyers who provide legal services through the Malaysian Bar Council’s Legal Aid Centres earn one CPD point for each completed file.
Resources on Pro Bono and CLE Credit
As jurisdictions continue to explore ways to increase pro bono participation, CLE credit provides an incentive for encouraging attorneys to dedicate their time and expertise to communities in need. The CLE Credits and Pro Bono Guide and the 2026 Global Pro Bono Guide provide information to understand these evolving policies and practices in jurisdictions across the U.S. and around the world.