As we move into the final stretch of the 2025–2026 Academic Year, available opportunities to obtain live judicial education hours are becoming increasingly limited. If you have already completed your hours for the 2025-2026 Academic Year, you can disregard this message.
Of the nine Regional Judges Seminars offered this year, six have already been completed, leaving only three remaining:
- Panhandle Regional Judges Seminar – Lubbock (April 28–30) (currently full, waitlist only)
- South Texas Regional Judges Seminar – Corpus Christi (May 11–13) (currently full, waitlist only)
- West Texas Regional Judges Seminar – Abilene (June 22–24) (only a handful of spots remain)
Simply put, time and opportunity are running out for in-person, live hours this academic year.
That said, there is still a meaningful option available. Judges may attend the Virtual Regional Judges Seminar (April 28–30). This is a live event and counts toward your live hour requirement. Judges who attend the full 12-hour seminar, along with the included preceding Mental Health Clinic (also virtual), can earn the full 16 hours required for the year.
If you are not registered for a live or virtual regional seminar, the virtual regional is your best—and likely last—reliable option. It has space available and can be attended from anywhere. It also fits squarely within the “Power of 4” framework—allowing you to efficiently complete your required live hours. If that is not possible, there may still be options:
Additional Live Opportunities in AY 2026:
- 4-hour Virtual Clinic: Magistrate Duties – June 17
- 4-hour Virtual Clinic: Councils, Courts, and Cities (C3) – August 12
- Impaired Driving Symposium (8 hours) – August 12–13 in Boerne, Texas at The Bevy Hotel
Reminder of Requirements:
- Judges (after year one) must complete 16 total hours annually
- At least 8 hours must be live instruction
First Year Judges:
- New Judges Seminar (32 hours) – Required for non-attorney judges in their first year
- One Remaining Seminar in AY 2026: July 13–17
- New attorney judges must complete all 16 hours live in their first year
We strongly encourage you to make your plans now to ensure compliance.
As a reminder, the Education Committee is required to report noncompliant judges to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Registration information and program details are available at register.tmcec.com. If you have questions about your educational status or available options, please contact TMCEC staff.