As a licensed paralegal in Ontario, staying compliant with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements is essential. Each year, paralegals must complete a specific number of CPD hours to maintain their license in good standing.
In this guide, we’ll break down the Ontario Paralegal CPD requirements for 2025, including the 12-hour annual requirement, the distinction between Substantive and Professionalism hours, and the all-important Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) requirement.
👉 Need to register right away? View our Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses here.
How Many CPD Hours Do Ontario Paralegals Need in 2025?
Every calendar year, Ontario paralegals must complete:
- 12 total CPD hours, including:
- 3 Professionalism hours, accredited by the LSO
- 1 hour of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), included within the Professionalism hours
- Up to 9 Substantive hours, which don’t require accreditation but must relate to your legal practice or professional development
All hours must be completed by December 31, 2025, and reported to the LSO through the Law Society Portal by March 31, 2026.
What Are Substantive Hours?
Substantive hours are flexible and allow you to enhance your knowledge in practice areas, legal updates, or skills that improve your ability to serve clients.
Examples of Substantive content include:
- Case law updates in small claims, landlord & tenant, or employment law
- Courses on practice management or legal technology tools
- Training that expands your legal knowledge and day-to-day effectiveness
At LPEN, many of our Ontario Paralegal CPD courses include Substantive content, making it easy to balance your yearly requirements.
What Are Professionalism Hours?
Professionalism hours focus on ethics, professional responsibility, and practice management. These hours are designed to help you navigate:
- Tricky client relationships
- Conflicts of interest
- Confidentiality
- Duties to the court and public
All Professionalism hours must be accredited by the LSO. Our live and on-demand programs are built with this accreditation in mind, so you can meet this requirement with confidence.
The EDI Requirement: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Since 2018, Ontario paralegals must complete at least 1 hour of EDI programming each year as part of their Professionalism hours.
EDI content addresses topics such as:
- Unconscious bias in legal practice
- Access to justice and systemic barriers
- Inclusive client communication
This requirement is often overlooked, but missing it means your Professionalism hours aren’t complete. Our courses clearly indicate when EDI credit is included, so you can stay compliant.
Key Deadlines for 2025
- Complete Hours By: December 31, 2025
- Report Hours By: March 31, 2026
⚠️ Don’t risk administrative suspension by the LSO. Many professionals scramble at year-end. Plan ahead to avoid the rush.
👉 Browse our upcoming Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses and stay on track.
How LPEN Helps You Stay Compliant
- A wide range of online and on-demand courses
- Accredited Professionalism and EDI programs
- Convenient options to complete Substantive hours
- Instant certificates and invoices for easy record-keeping
- CPD Passes to simplify tracking and save money
Whether you’re planning ahead or catching up last minute, our Ontario Paralegal CPD page has everything you need.
Final Thoughts
Ontario paralegals must complete 12 CPD hours annually, with clear requirements for Professionalism, EDI, and Substantive learning. By planning now and registering for courses that fit your schedule, you’ll avoid the December rush and stay fully compliant with LSO CPD requirements.
👉 Ready to get started? Explore all Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses here.
