# New Jersey Adds a One-Credit Technology CLE Requirement Starting in 2027 > New Jersey lawyers will need one technology-related CLE credit per two-year cycle. The rule is effective January 1, 2027, and first reporting is for the cycle ending December 31, 2027. By The Circle Desk | Legal Ops | Published 2026-11-02 Source: https://legaltechcircle.com/insights/new-jersey-technology-cle-requirement-2027/ New Jersey lawyers will have to earn at least one of their 24 continuing legal education credits in "technology-related subjects" under a rule the state Supreme Court adopted in March. The requirement is effective January 1, 2027, but the first compliance report is not due for the current cycle. The NJ Courts [notice](https://www.njcourts.gov/notices/notice-and-order-continuing-legal-education-amendments-court-rule-r-142-1-and-cle) says it applies to the next two-year cycle, which ends December 31, 2027, with reporting in early 2028. ## What Does the Rule Require? The court's March 31, 2026 order amended Court Rule 1:42-1 and CLE Regulations 103:1 and 201:1. Under the rule text published with the notice, New Jersey attorneys take 24 hours of qualifying CLE over a two-year period. Five of those hours must be in ethics or professionalism, with at least two of the five in diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias. The amendment adds that at least one of the 24 hours must be in technology-related subjects. ## When Does It Start Counting? The notice says the requirement is effective January 1, 2027, and applies to attorneys in the cycle that ends December 31, 2027, and in all later two-year cycles. Attorneys whose current cycle ends December 31, 2026, and who report in early 2027, are not required to report compliance with the new requirement for that cycle. The order itself says the amendments are adopted effective immediately, with reporting beginning with the cycle that concludes December 31, 2027. The two statements fit together: the rule is on the books now, and nothing has to be reported against it until early 2028. The notice and order are also available as a [PDF](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2026/03/n260401b.pdf) and in the [New Jersey State Library archive copy](https://dspace.njstatelib.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/b37d48f0-6d05-4d2d-b619-f5072368198a/content). ## What Counts as a Technology-Related Subject? The definition added to Regulation 103:1 reads, in part, that technology-related subjects "include, but are not limited to, developments in artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI, and other emerging technologies affecting legal practice." The notice says this covers: - the practical use and responsible operation of legal technologies and software - gathering, authenticating and handling electronic evidence - cybersecurity, privacy, data protection and ensuring client confidentiality in digital environments - data breach prevention and response - electronic legal research, discovery, brief-writing and preparation of court and client materials - the formulation and implementation of relevant internal policies and practices, including oversight of outside vendors The notice says the definition "aligns substantively" with the comparable regulation for attorneys licensed in New York. The court had asked for comment on proposed regulations by January 30, 2026, according to a [December 2025 notice](https://www.njcourts.gov/notices/notice-requirement-continuing-legal-education-technology-related-subjects-proposed). ## How Is It Being Described Elsewhere? The New York State Bar Association [published a summary](https://nysba.org/new-continuing-legal-education-requirement-for-lawyers-licensed-to-practice-in-new-jersey/) on October 26, 2026, written by Jennifer Andrus, for New York lawyers who are also licensed in New Jersey. It says attorneys must "now" earn one technology credit as part of the 24-credit requirement and that those with compliance periods ending December 31, 2026 are not subject to the change until their next compliance period. That matches the court's dates, though "now" can read as if reporting starts immediately. The court's notice is the better guide to timing. The NYSBA summary also lists the covered subjects in a shorter form. It does not carry the court's wording that the list is "not limited to," so readers should use the court's definition when deciding whether a course qualifies. ## What Should Lawyers and Firms Check? This post is not legal advice, and a lawyer with a question about the rule should read the order and contact the Board on Continuing Legal Education. Practically, the sources raise a few points worth a calendar reminder. - Attorneys with cycles ending December 31, 2026 are outside the requirement for that cycle, per the court. - The next cycle ends December 31, 2027, and the technology credit counts toward it. - Whether a particular course qualifies is a question for the Board's approved courses and the definition above. The [Board's CLE page](https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/cle) lists an approved courses catalog and links to the new requirement. - Firms and legal departments that train lawyers on AI, privacy or vendor oversight may want to compare those programs with the definition. ## FAQ **What is the new New Jersey CLE requirement?** One of the 24 credits in each two-year cycle must be in technology-related subjects, per the court's [order and notice](https://www.njcourts.gov/notices/notice-and-order-continuing-legal-education-amendments-court-rule-r-142-1-and-cle). **When does it take effect?** January 1, 2027, with the first compliance reporting for the cycle ending December 31, 2027. **Does it apply to the current cycle?** Not for attorneys whose cycle ends December 31, 2026, according to the court. **Does the definition mention AI?** Yes. It names developments in artificial intelligence, including generative AI. --- Legal Tech Circle (https://legaltechcircle.com/). News and analysis, not legal advice.