How Arizona Attorneys Self-Report Podcast CLE: Step-by-Step Instructions

Filing Your Annual Affidavit

Step 1: Log Your Hours Throughout the Year

After listening to each podcast episode, immediately record:

Required information:

• Date of completion

• Program/episode title

• Sponsor/provider name

• Duration (in quarter-hour increments: 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0)

• Subject matter category

• Professional responsibility hours (if applicable)

Example entry:

Step 2: Access the State Bar Portal

1. Go to https://login.azbar.org

2. Log in with your State Bar credentials

3. Navigate to "CLE Tracking Dashboard"

4. Dashboard is available year-round for entering hours

Step 3: Enter Each Podcast Episode

For each podcast episode, enter:

Program Information:

• Date Completed: Date you finished listening

• Program Title: Full episode name

• Provider/Sponsor: Name of podcast company/organization

• Number of Hours: Actual time spent (rounded to nearest quarter hour)

• Category: Select "Self-Study"

• Subject Matter: Choose appropriate area (Patent Law, Ethics, Civil Procedure, etc.)

• Professional Responsibility: Check box if episode qualifies

Important: State Bar programs may auto-populate. You must manually enter all podcast hours.

Step 4: Verify Your Totals

Before filing, confirm:

• Minimum 15 total hours

• Minimum 3 professional responsibility hours

• Maximum 5 self-study hours (podcasts + other self-study combined)

• All entries are accurate

Step 5: File Your Affidavit

1. Review all entries on your dashboard

2. Click "File Affidavit" button

3. Receive email confirmation (if no email, affidavit was NOT filed)

4. Save confirmation email for your records

Deadline: September 15

What to Include in Your Self-Certification Notes

The Documentation You Must Keep (For Audit)

Create a file for each podcast episode containing:

1. Listening Log Entry

2. Your Personal Notes (Demonstrating Engagement)

Your notes should show you actually listened and understood the content:

3. Proof of Subscription/Access

Save one of these:

• Subscription confirmation email

• Payment receipt from podcast platform

• Invoice from provider

• Screenshot showing you have access

Example:

4. Copy of Written Materials

Save the actual materials:

• PDF of episode transcript

• Show notes document

• Any supplemental materials provided

The transcript should include:

• Episode title and date

• Case name and citation

• Learning objectives

• Full text of podcast

• Case citations referenced

• Statutes/regulations discussed

Sample Certificate Documentation

If you generate your own certificate for record-keeping (optional but recommended):

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - SELF-STUDY

Attorney Name: [Your Name]
State Bar Number: [Your Number]

What NOT to Include

Do not include in your State Bar filing:

• Your personal notes (keep for audit, don't submit proactively)

• Transcripts (keep for audit, don't submit with affidavit)

• Receipts (keep for audit, don't submit unless requested)

The annual affidavit is just a summary. Keep detailed documentation in case of audit.

Audit Response Template

If selected for audit, respond with this format:

RE: CLE Audit Response - [Your Name], Bar #[Number]

Dear MCLE Department,

In response to your audit request dated [date], I am providing documentation for the following self-study hours claimed:

PROGRAM 1:
Date: November 10, 2025
Title: "Motorola v. USPTO: When Policy Changes Kill Your Pending IPR"
Provider: Research Club
Hours: 0.5

Attached Documentation:
1. Listening log with date, time, and topics covered
2. Personal notes demonstrating engagement with material
3. Subscription receipt (Exhibit A)
4. Episode transcript (Exhibit B)
5. Show notes with case citations (Exhibit C)

[Repeat for each audited program]

I certify that all documentation provided is accurate and that I personally completed each program on the dates indicated.

Respectfully submitted,

[Signature]
[Name]
[Bar Number]
[Date]

Attachments: [List all exhibits]

Quick Checklist

Before filing your affidavit, ensure you have:

• [ ] Logged all podcast episodes in tracking spreadsheet

• [ ] Calculated total hours (verify ≤5 hours self-study)

• [ ] Saved transcript or show notes for each episode

• [ ] Taken personal notes demonstrating engagement

• [ ] Saved subscription receipt or proof of access

• [ ] Created listening log for each episode

• [ ] Entered all hours into State Bar dashboard

• [ ] Verified totals meet requirements (15 total, 3 ethics)

• [ ] Clicked "File Affidavit" (not just saved to dashboard)

• [ ] Received and saved confirmation email

• [ ] Stored all documentation for 4+ years

File by September 15. Late filing = fees and potential suspension.

Key Principle: Arizona's self-reporting system trusts your professional judgment. Document conservatively, keep thorough records, and only claim time you actually spent learning. When in doubt, ask yourself: "Could I defend this documentation in an audit?"