This rule is adopted under Business and Professions Code section 6070.

      (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

      (b) State Bar minimum continuing legal education program

      The State Bar must establish and administer a minimum continuing legal education program under rules adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar. These rules may provide for carryforward of excess credit hours, staggering of the education requirement for implementation purposes, and retroactive credit for legal education.

      (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective September 27, 2000.)

      (c) Minimum continuing legal education requirements

      Each active member of the State Bar (1) not exempt under Business and Professions Code section 6070, (2) not a full-time employee of the United States Government, its departments, agencies, and public corporations, acting within the scope of his or her employment, and (3) not otherwise exempt under rules adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar, must, within 36-month periods designated by the State Bar, complete at least 25 hours of legal education approved by the State Bar or offered by a State Bar-approved provider. Four of those hours must address legal ethics. Members may be required to complete legal education in other specified areas within the 25-hour requirement under rules adopted by the State Bar. Each active member must report his or her compliance to the State Bar under rules adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar.

      (Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective September 27, 2000.)

      (d) Failure to comply with program

      A member of the State Bar who fails to satisfy the requirements of the State Bar’s minimum continuing legal education program must be enrolled as an inactive member of the State Bar under rules adopted by the Board of Governors of the State Bar.

      (Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

      (e) Fees and penalties

      The State Bar has the authority to set and collect appropriate fees and penalties.

      (Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2007.)

      Rule 9.31 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 958 effective December 6, 1990; previously amended effective December 25, 1992; previously amended by the Supreme Court effective September 27, 2000.