Free and low-cost CLE
Quality CLE should not depend on your budget
You deserve the best continuing legal education whatever you can afford to pay for it. BHBA gives free access to attorneys who serve the public interest and to those who need financial help, and that means the whole library, live and OnDemand, plus the 25/40-hour Mediation Training. Not a discount. Free.
Eligibility
Who qualifies for free BHBA CLE?
Free access is not a hardship program you have to argue your way into. It is how BHBA underwrites the public interest side of the profession. If any one of these describes you, you qualify.
| You are | What you get |
|---|---|
| An attorney employed by a §501(c)(3) organization | Full access to live and OnDemand CLE, plus the 25/40-hour Mediation Training |
| Currently employed by the federal government, or within the last three months | Full access to live and OnDemand CLE |
| Currently employed by state or local government, or within the last three months | Full access to live and OnDemand CLE |
| An attorney with annual household income of $75,000 or less | Full access to live and OnDemand CLE |
One form. That is the whole process.
No membership purchase, no promo code, no renewal to remember. BHBA staff review each request and follow up by email.
Applying as a §501(c)(3) attorney? Use your organization's .org email address on the form.
What free access gets you
Best CLE Provider.
Two years running.
Two years running.
Named Best CLE Provider and Best Online CLE Provider by The Recorder in both 2025 and 2026. More than 1,400 multi-state accredited CLEs across 45 practice area sections. If you qualify for free access, this is the library you get. All of it.
View award-winning CLEs ›
What's included
What do I actually get with free access?
The same thing a paying member gets. There is no stripped-down version.
- Every live webinar on the calendar, all year
- The full OnDemand library, 1,400+ multi-state accredited programs across 45 practice areas
- Participatory credit in California on every program, live or OnDemand. BHBA is State Bar of California Approved MCLE Provider #43, a Multiple Activity Provider
- Automatic credit tracking with a personal dashboard, deadlines, and downloadable certificates
- Accreditation in your jurisdiction if you practice outside California
Mediation training
Free 25/40-hour Mediation Training for volunteers and nonprofit attorneys
BHBA's 25/40-hour Mediation Training meets state and court requirements. It is free for four groups, and two of those are volunteer commitments rather than income tests.
- Attorneys at §501(c)(3) organizations. No membership required.
- Fee arbitration volunteers. Commit to conducting at least two arbitrations for BHBA's Mandatory Fee Arbitration Program in the year after you certify.
- Resolve Law LA volunteers. Commit to conducting at least two MSCs in the year after you certify.
- BHBA members. Most levels already include it. Log in and start.
You do the work, we cover the training. That is the whole arrangement.
Law students and new attorneys
Free membership for law students and new attorneys
If you are in law school or just admitted, membership costs nothing. That is a full Sustainer membership, which means unlimited CLE, section participation, the member directory, and mentorship.
Join free through NextGen
Open to everyone
Free individual CLE programs, no application required
Some programs we simply do not charge for, member or not. Choose from 25 hours of full participatory credit CLE. These are complete programs, not previews.
Already a member
Do BHBA members pay for CLE?
Members at the Sustainer level or higher have unlimited access to the full OnDemand library and live programming at no additional cost.
If you are on a lower level and taking more than a few programs a year, upgrading is almost always cheaper than paying per course.
Compare membership levels
Common questions
Free CLE access frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a BHBA member to get free CLE access?
No. The nonprofit, government, and income-based tracks are open to any attorney regardless of membership.
Does free access expire?
No. Access continues as long as you remain eligible.
Do free BHBA CLEs count for California MCLE compliance?
Yes. Every BHBA program, live or OnDemand, earns participatory credit. BHBA is State Bar of California Approved MCLE Provider #43. See the full California CLE requirements.
I practice outside California. Can I still use these programs?
Yes. Select your jurisdiction on the application form and BHBA will accredit your programs accordingly.