Board Policy

Annual License Fee Waiver/CLE Exemption Policy

In cases of financial hardship, an attorney may request that the Board waive the license fee obligation provided for in Maine Bar Rule 4 by submitting a written request, in the form of a sworn affidavit, to the Executive Director. The affidavit shall contain a full explanation of the circumstances necessitating such a waiver. Upon review of the affidavit and any supporting documents, the Executive Director may grant a license fee waiver. If the Executive Director denies the waiver, the attorney shall have 30 days from the date of denial to submit a request to the Executive Director for reconsideration by the Board at its next scheduled meeting. Waivers may be granted only for one licensing period at a time and shall be granted sparingly.

Upon a showing of undue hardship, the Executive Director may grant an attorney an exemption from complying with all or part of the requirements of Rule 5 of the Maine Bar Rules. An attorney seeking such an exemption must submit a written request, in the form of a sworn affidavit, to the Executive Director. The affidavit shall contain a full explanation of the circumstances necessitating the CLE exemption. In cases where an attorney alleges medical or other disability, the attorney must also submit a statement from their medical provider. Upon review of the affidavit and any supporting documents, the Executive Director may grant or modify the attorney's continuing legal education requirement. If the Executive Director denies the exemption request, the attorney shall have 30 days from the date of denial to submit a request to the Executive Director for reconsideration by the Board at its next scheduled meeting. Exemptions may be granted only for one licensing period at a time and shall be granted sparingly.

Adopted: March 30, 2016