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The Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course

Professionalism course dates and registration form (pdf) or register online

By what authority is the course required?
The Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course provides the instruction required by Part Six, § IV, ¶ 13.1, Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
 

If I am an associate lawyer, do I need to take the course?
No. Completion of the Professionalism Course is required only for active lawyers of the Virginia State Bar.
 

What is the time period for completion of the course?
The course must be completed within twenty-four months* of becoming an active lawyer of the Virginia State Bar. For lawyers admitted by bar exam, this is usually two years from the time you register with the Virginia State Bar following notice of your licensure by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. Lawyers admitted by reciprocity or as Virginia corporate counsel must complete the course within two years of registering with the Virginia State Bar, following being sworn in by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

*Members registered with the VSB between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021, who were unable to attend a course to due COVID-19 cancellations, have thirty-six months from their registration date to complete a course.

May I take any ethics course and satisfy this requirement?
No. You must take the Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course. See course dates and locations. (pdf)
 

Is the course offered by video, webcast or teleconference?
No. You must attend the course in person. See course dates and locations. (pdf)
 

Is the course approved for CLE credit?
Yes. The Professionalism Course is approved for 5.0 hours of continuing legal education (including 5.0 ethics) credit in Virginia. CLE approval has not been sought in other states, although many states have given credit to individual attorneys.
 

Will the hours count toward my mandatory CLE requirement?
Yes. The 5.0 hours will count toward your annual requirement of 12.0 hours (including 2.0 ethics) as an active lawyer of the bar. The MCLE year begins November 1 each year.
 

Will another state’s CLE course fulfill this requirement?
No. Ethics or professionalism courses offered in other states will not satisfy this requirement, but they may count toward your annual MCLE requirement of 12.0 hours (including 2 ethics).
 

If I do not take the course within twenty-four months* of registering with the VSB as an active lawyer, what happens?
If you have not completed the course within 24 months of becoming an active lawyer, you will receive a notice of delinquency, and you will owe an additional $50 delinquency fee. If you do not take the course in the subsequent sixty days following the notice of delinquency, you will be administratively suspended from the practice of law in Virginia. You will not be reinstated as a lawyer in good standing until you have completed the course and paid the delinquency fee of $25, as well as an additional reinstatement fee of $75.

*Members registered with the VSB between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021 who were unable to attend a course to due COVID-19 cancellations, have thirty-six months from their registration date to complete a course.

How do I request an extension of time in which to complete the course?
If you have an extenuating circumstance that you believe hinders you from attending the course, you may request an extension. Please be aware that extension requests are very rarely granted. Special exceptions are made for out-of-state law clerks and military personnel. These requests must be directed in writing to Maureen Stengel at Virginia State Bar, 1111 E. Main Street, Suite 700, Richmond, VA 23219, or by email. 
 

How do I change the date of my course registration?
Email your request to change dates to ProfessionalismCourse@vsb.org. If it is less than one week prior to your scheduled course, print out the registration form, and mail it in with a $25 check (made payable to the Virginia State Bar) for the re-registration fee.
 

Is there a dress code for the course?
No. There is no prescribed dress code for the course.
 

May I seek relief from my Professionalism Course obligations under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)?
Yes, active duty Virginia lawyers stationed outside the state may be able to seek relief under the SCRA for Professionalism Course obligations by providing a copy of their orders to the VSB. Please contact ProfessionalismCourse@vsb.org for specific requirements. (50 U.S.C. App. §§501-596, Public Law 108-189)

 

If you have further questions about the course or the requirement, please contact Kim Karnes at kkarnes@vsb.org or (804) 775-0515.

Updated: Aug 12, 2021