By Stanley E. Manske, MCLEC Chairperson
We heard how impressed you were when we started keeping track of the OBA MCLE-approved seminars you attend. You seemed to be even more impressed when you were able to check your MCLE record online. Earlier this year, almost 5,000 OBA members filed their 2003 Annual Report of Compliance online. We hope that you will continue to be impressed when you learn about the latest change.
At its June 2004 meeting, the Board of Governors approved the MCLE Commission's proposed addition to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education:
Rule 7, Regulation 5.1.
Commencing with calendar year 2004, the MCLEC shall deem a member to have fulfilled the reporting requirements and to have reported as required by the Rules of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education if the official records of the OBA indicate the member is in compliance with the minimum educational requirements or exempt from compliance for the year in question.
Caveat: It shall remain the responsibility of each member to review the accuracy of the OBA records and reports, and to be assured that exemption or compliance is recognized by the MCLEC. Reports and records are available for member review by logging on to "my okbar" on the www.okbar.org website.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If the MCLE records are accurate and indicate that you have a minimum of 12 hours of approved CLE credit, including at least one hour for legal ethics by Dec. 31, you are not required to file an annual report of compliance.
Your exemption will automatically be recorded for you by the MCLEC if you are a new admittee or have attained the age of 65. You are still required to file the Annual Report of Compliance each year to report other exemptions or if your MCLE record does not show sufficient credit to meet your requirement by Dec. 31.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions concerning these changes, please contact the MCLE Department at (405) 416-7009, (800) 522-8065 or by e-mail at mcle@okbar.org. |
