Department Report: MCLE & Licensing by Abby Kostecka and Annette Strauser

October 6, 2025 by ccarns
Office bureaucracy, checklist administration, tiny people work among stacks of paperwork

MCLE Information

The Idaho State Bar Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“MCLE”) Department administers the rules governing accreditation of CLE programming in Idaho and monitors Idaho attorneys’ compliance with MCLE requirements.

Course Accreditation

A program must meet the accreditation standards in the Idaho Bar Commission Rules. The MCLE Department receives over 6,000 accreditation applications annually. Individual Idaho lawyers do not pay application fees. Commercial course providers pay a $75 application fee.

Compliance

Idaho attorneys must complete at least 30 Idaho-accredited CLE programs every three-year reporting period, including at least three ethics credits. No more than 15 of the 30 credits can be “self-study,” which refers to an attorney watching a recorded program. Live CLE programs include in-person classes, as well as live webcasts. Attorneys can earn three hours of CLE credit for each hour spent teaching a CLE. Attorneys can also earn up to six CLE credits per reporting period for published legal writing.

Every year, approximately 1,750 Idaho attorneys (one-third of the Active members of the Idaho State Bar) are required to report their MCLE compliance to the Idaho State Bar. The MCLE Department verifies Idaho attorneys’ compliance with the MCLE requirements.

Ongoing Work to Review MCLE Compliance Requirements

In 2025, the Board of Commissioners of the Idaho State Bar approved the creation of a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Task Force, whose goal is to review Section IV of the Idaho Bar Commission Rules. In reviewing Section IV, the Task Force is contemplating several topics, including changes in credit hour requirements to place Idaho on parity with other states and allowing mandatory continuing legal education credit for activities other than those listed in Bar Commission Rule 404. The Task Force is currently collecting information about all 50 states’ mandatory continuing legal education requirements for comparative purposes.

Spotlight on MCLE Department Staff

            The Idaho State Bar is fortunate to have experienced and talented staff in the MCLE Department. Nelda Adolf, Calle Belodoff, Karen Carlisle, and Kim Wilson skillfully handle thousands of applications, field inquiries from course providers and attorneys, and help attorneys navigate the MCLE compliance process.

image of Abby Kostecka

Abby Kostecka is the Licensing Director of the Idaho State Bar. Her job duties include overseeing applying and being admitted to the Idaho State Bar, and MCLE accreditation and compliance for attorneys in Idaho. She worked as a prosecutor for Ada County prior to joining the Bar. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and her law degree from Gonzaga University.

Licensing Information

All Idaho State Bar members must comply with the annual licensing requirements of Section III of the Idaho Bar Commission Rules. The Licensing Department administers these rules and assists members with compliance.

Fee Increases The annual licensing fees are increasing with the 2026 licensing renewals: Active or House Counsel Member, starting with fourth full year of admission ($485) Active or House Counsel in the first, second, or third full year of admission ($350) Inactive or Emeritus Members ($170) Senior Members ($80) Members age 72 years or older, regardless of status ($80)

Annual Licensing Renewal

The 2026 annual licensing renewal will begin in late November/early December when the online licensing portal is opened, and the paper licensing packets are mailed. The normal February 1st and March 1st deadlines fall on Sundays in 2026 and will be extended to the following Mondays. The deadline for paying the 2026 licensing fee and completing the required forms is February 2, 2026. Licensing not received by February 2nd will be subject to a late fee. The final deadline is March 2, 2026. The names of attorneys who do not submit their licensing by March 2nd will be given to the Idaho Supreme Court for cancelation of their licenses.

Online Licensing

Attorneys who have completed their licensing renewal online within the past two years will automatically be presumed to be renewing online again for 2026. An email will be sent to all licensed members notifying them of the upcoming licensing and allowing them to choose an alternative renewal process.

Online licensing renewal is encouraged for all members, it reduces paper, postage and time. Individual attorneys and firms can submit licensing online and payments can be made by credit card or electronic check. In addition, firms can submit the licensing online and pay with a paper check by using the “voucher” option.

The online licensing portal will close beginning on March 3, 2026, and will not reopen until the 2027 licensing renewal period begins. All firm renewal attorney rosters from the past year will be cleared out before the next renewal period begins.

Membership Information

All members are required to provide the following membership information, which shall be considered public information:

  • Full name
  • Name of employer or firm (if applicable)
  • Mailing address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • eService Email address (active and house counsel members only)

New membership cards will be mailed in mid-March 2026 following the final licensing deadline.

Please remember: Keep the Bar informed of all changes to your membership information. Any changes to the above information must be submitted within thirty days—except for changes to the eService address which must be submitted within seven days. Address changes can be submitted online at https://laserfiche. isb.idaho.gov/forms/addressupdate. The mailing address, phone and email are required, but do not use your personal information unless you are okay with having it in the public records. Changes to your eService (“iCourt”) email need to be submitted to the Bar first so it can be passed to the Idaho Supreme Court.

Licensing and Status Changes

In addition to changes to membership information, licensing and status changes occur throughout the year. Attorneys whose trust account or professional liability insurance changes need to update their records with the Bar. New trust account and professional liability insurance certificates can be requested at any time.

Attorneys interested in changing status should review Section III of the Idaho Bar Commission Rules and contact Annette Strauser (208-334-4500 or astrauser@isb.idaho.gov). Please note that most transfers to inactive or senior status can be made with annual licensing. All other changes need to be made through the Licensing Department.

Questions?

Please feel free to contact the Bar if you have any questions about the licensing requirements (208-334-4500 or licensing@isb.idaho.gov).  We are here to assist you with your licensing needs.

Photo of Annette Strauser

Annette Strauser is the Licensing/IT Administrator responsible for licensing, membership and IT services.  She was born and raised in Idaho, graduated from Boise State University and has been with the Idaho State Bar for 42 years.