Important Notice
Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting many licensees, the State Bar’s Board of Trustees approved the one-time extension of the final deadline to pay outstanding license fees and report MCLE compliance to September 30, 2020.
Additionally, the Board of Trustees approved a process that allows the State Bar’s Attorney Regulation Office to waive the late payment penalty for licensees who still have an outstanding balance and have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The late fee is $100 for licensees on Active status and $30 for licensees on Inactive status.
To qualify for this waiver, please submit a formal written request that includes your name, bar number, and a detailed explanation of how you have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing payment of the late fee to be a financial hardship. Email your request to AttorneyRegulation@calbar.ca.gov. Please enter “COVID-19 Late Fee Waiver Request” in the subject line of the email.
With the late fee waived, you will have until September 30, 2020 to pay the 2020 license fees without penalty or adverse effect on your license. September 30, 2020 is the final deadline to have resolved any outstanding balance of fees through payment or waiver.
Payments and MCLE compliance declarations must be submitted online through My State Bar Profile by September 30, 2020. Payments that are mailed must be postmarked on or before September 30, 2020 to be considered timely.
Maintaining your State Bar license is mandatory if you practice law in California.
You can calculate your annual State Bar fees and costs through My State Bar Profile, and then pay online by credit card or ACH (electronic check). Alternatively, you can print the invoice generated online when you calculate your fees to mail along with a payment by check.
Description
Amount
Deadline
Annual fees for active attorneys
$544.00
February 3
Annual fees for inactive attorneys
$183.00
View frequently asked questions about paying fees.
California Business and Professions Code section 6002.1 requires all licensees, regardless of their status, to maintain a current mailing address on the official records of the State Bar of California. California Rule of Court 9.9 requires attorneys to use My State Bar Profile to report changes to contact information and provide a private email address for State Bar communications.
Log in to My State Bar Profile to make address changes, pay fees, and report Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE).
View frequently asked questions.
Access Attorney Regulation forms.
Forgot your My State Bar Profile password? You may reset your password online or contact Attorney Regulation at 888-800-3400.
Submit the Application for Transfer to Inactive. Transferring to inactive status after February 3 will not reduce active fees owed. View more information and access the required form.
Under California Rule of Court 9.9.5, all inactive licensed attorneys must be in compliance with fingerprinting requirements prior to being placed on active status. A status change will be effective upon the State Bar's receipt of the Request to Transfer to Active Status form and compliance with the fingerprinting requirement. Additionally, if applicable, once the annual fees have been adjusted, payment will be expected promptly. View more information and access the required form.
Submit a Name Change Form to process your name change request. View more information and access the required form.
A Certificate of Standing must be ordered online. The State Bar issues a single-page Certificate of Standing to verify an attorney’s name, bar number, admission date, current status, any name or status changes, and any public discipline, as of the date of the certificate.
Order a Certificate of Standing and view more information about the types of Certificates of Standing available.
Find more information on how to obtain a California Supreme Court Certificate of Standing.
Under California Rule of Court Rule 9.9.5, active attorneys licensed in California and multijurisdictional practitioners must be re-fingerprinted following the instructions and schedule posted online. The deadline before the penalty period begins is April 30, 2019. See the full fingerprinting rule requirements.
Learn about becoming a certified legal specialist.
The State Bar has a confidential program for attorneys facing substance abuse or mental health issues. The Lawyer Assistance Program is also part of the State Bar's regulatory mission, providing services to lawyers facing disciplinary charges.
Find information about mandatory arbitration hearings with clients.
Register a law corporation or LLP. Find State Bar resources on managing or closing a law practice.
See FAQs on everything from how to file your MCLE report to where to find ethics opinions on the State Bar website.