Every year, Ontario paralegals must complete 12 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The rule is clear, but the categories can cause confusion:
- Professionalism hours
- Substantive hours
On top of that, there’s the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) requirement, which fits into Professionalism.
If you’re not sure how these Ontario Paralegal CPD hours differ — or which courses count toward each — this guide will clear it up.
👉 Need accredited options now? View our Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses.
The Annual CPD Breakdown for Ontario Paralegals
Paralegals licensed in Ontario must complete by December 31 each year:
- 12 hours total CPD
- 3 hours Professionalism (must be accredited by the Law Society of Ontario)
- Within those, at least 1 hour of EDI
- Up to 9 Substantive hours
All hours must be reported to the Law Society Portal by March 31 of the following year.
What Are Substantive CPD Hours?
What they are: Substantive hours expand your legal knowledge and strengthen your ability to practice. These hours do not need accreditation but must be relevant to your role as a paralegal.
Examples of Substantive topics:
- Case law and legislative updates
- Small claims, landlord & tenant, or employment law developments
- Legal research, drafting, and advocacy skills
- Technology tools that improve client service
- Business and practice growth strategies
💡 At LPEN, examples of Substantive courses include:
- Small Claims Court: Drafting Pleadings (October 2025) – Includes 4.5 Substantive hours as well as 30 minutes of Professionalism
- Provincial Offences Act (August 2025) – 3.5 Substantive hours as well as 1.5 professionalism
What Are Professionalism CPD Hours?
What they are: Professionalism hours must be accredited by the LSO and deal with ethics, professional responsibility, and practice management. They ensure paralegals maintain the highest standards in practice.
Examples of Professionalism topics:
- Client communication & confidentiality
- Conflicts of interest
- File and trust account management
- Duties to the court and administration of justice
The EDI Requirement for Ontario Paralegals
Since 2018, Ontario paralegals have been required to complete 1 EDI hour as part of their 3 Professionalism hours.
EDI programming covers:
- Equality and access to justice
- Systemic discrimination and bias
- Inclusive client communication
- Building diverse and accessible legal services
⚠️ Missing your EDI credit means you won’t meet the Professionalism requirement — even if you complete the other two hours.
💡 LPEN courses clearly indicate when EDI credit is included so you don’t have to second-guess. Our Implicit Bias Plus is one hour of EDI to make sure you are covered.
How LPEN Makes Ontario Paralegal CPD Simple
On our Ontario Paralegal CPD page, each course clearly lists:
- Substantive hours included
- Professionalism hours included
- Whether EDI is covered
That way, you can confidently choose the mix of courses you need to meet your annual CPD requirements.
Important CPD Deadlines for 2025
- Complete all hours by: December 31, 2025
- Report hours by: March 31, 2026
Don’t wait until December. Courses fill quickly, and leaving it late puts your paralegal license at risk.
Final Takeaway
The difference between Professionalism and Substantive CPD hours is straightforward once you know what to look for:
- Substantive = knowledge and practice skills
- Professionalism = ethics and responsibility
- EDI = a mandatory part of your Professionalism requirement
Plan early, track your hours, and complete them before December 31 to stay compliant with LSO requirements.
👉 Start today: Register for your Ontario Paralegal CPD courses.
