OBLIC Insured? OSBA Member (or not) Did you get your Ohio Bar College Discount?

January 24, 2025 | Koblentz, Penvose & Froning, LLC | ,

What Is the Ohio Bar College?

The Ohio Bar College offers recognition to lawyers who exceed the state’s continuing legal education (CLE) requirements. To become a member, Ohio attorneys must complete at least 24 hours of CLE within a single calendar year. This commitment to ongoing education ensures that attorneys are staying up to date with evolving laws, procedures, and best practices to best serve their clients and communities.

Membership is not just a badge of honor; it also comes with exclusive savings, specifically for your OBLIC Insurance Policy. If not a OBLIC Customer, I would urge you to reach out to yours and see if a similar discount could be obtained.

Recognition & Savings for Members

One of the key benefits of Ohio Bar College membership is the recognition it brings to Ohio attorneys. Members are not only acknowledged for their dedication to professional development but also receive substantial discounts on Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company (OBLIC) policies.

Here’s how the discount works for your OBLIC Policy:

  • For OSBA members: Ohio Bar College members who are also part of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) receive a 15% discount on OBLIC insurance policies (for full-time policies). Starting in 2020, this discount increases by 1% for each successive year of membership in the College, up to a maximum of 25%.
    • Example: If you were a member in both 2019 and 2020, your discount would rise from 15% to 16% for the 2020 policy term.
  • For non-OSBA members: Ohio Bar College members who are not part of the OSBA will still receive a discount, but it starts at 8% and increases by 1% each year, up to a maximum of 15%.

This progressive discount structure rewards long-term commitment to both continuing education and professional excellence.

How to Become a Member

Any currently licensed and active Ohio attorney is eligible to apply for membership in the Ohio Bar College. To earn membership, you must complete 24 hours of CLE in a single calendar year. After that, you must continue to meet this 24-hour requirement annually to maintain membership.

Here’s a quick overview of the process:

  • Earn CLE Hours: To qualify for membership, you must complete 24 hours of CLE from approved providers. The Ohio Supreme Court Commission on CLE approves courses for credit, and out-of-state courses can qualify if they are approved for Ohio credit and appear on your Ohio CLE transcript.
  • Submit Completed Application: A completed application form detailing the CLE programs you attended, along with the corresponding dates, locations, course titles, sponsors, and credit hours, must be submitted to OBLIC for each year you wish to maintain membership.
  • Attendance Records: Applicants are required to report their CLE attendance for the year, including all necessary details about the programs and credits earned. The Bar College reserves the right to audit these records, ensuring that only legitimate, approved courses are included.

Deadlines for Application

Once you’ve completed the necessary CLE hours, applications must be submitted to OBLIC by April 15 of the following year. If you miss the deadline, there is a $10 late processing fee, and applications for that year will no longer be accepted after December 31.

  • 2023 applications: Must be submitted by December 31, 2024.
  • 2024 applications: Must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

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