Limited Accommodations

Under California Rule of Court Rule 9.9.5, all active attorneys licensed in California must be re-fingerprinted. For active attorneys, the timely deadline to be fingerprinted was April 30, 2019 after which the State Bar began to assess penalties in accordance to the State Bar’s penalty schedule. To avoid being placed on Involuntary Inactive status and being listed in State Bar records as “Not Eligible to Practice,” attorneys must be fingerprinted on or before December 1, 2019*. Criteria for requesting a fingerprinting rule accommodation due to disability, illness, accident, or other circumstances beyond their control are detailed below.

» Medical or Other Hardship Accommodation 
» Accommodation Request Review Process 
» Criteria for Hand Disability Accommodation
» Hand Disability Accommodation Form
» Verify Identity with a Law Enforcement Agency
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» Return to My State Bar Profile

Medical or Other Hardship Accommodation
Attorneys may notify the State Bar that they are unable to submit fingerprints in a timely manner due to severe or chronic health related needs such as disability, illness, accident, or other circumstances and/or hardship (financial or otherwise) beyond their control. Attorneys can complete the Medical or Other Hardship Accommodation Request Form and email the request and any attachments to FPaccommodation@calbar.ca.gov by December 1, 2019*.

Accommodation Request Review Process 
The State Bar will review all fingerprint accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis and may require additional documentation. If the State Bar determines that the attorney is unable to submit fingerprints at this time based on the information provided, in most cases the State Bar will provide an extension of time to complete the fingerprinting rule requirements. The State Bar will notify the attorney through email or U.S. mail when the request has been received and a decision has been made. Information in the request determined to be fraudulent will be investigated and may lead to disciplinary action. Any questions regarding the process should be emailed to FPaccommodation@calbar.ca.gov.

Criteria for Hand Disability Accommodation
Attorneys who are unable to provide fingerprints due to disability and/or permanent abnormality of the hand should complete a BCIA-9010 California Department of Justice (DOJ) form by December 1, 2019*. 

Attorneys should not complete a Disability Accommodation form for the following circumstances:

  • Worn fingerprints: An individual, by the nature of their work or age, may have very thin or worn ridges in the pattern area.
  • Scarred fingers or tip-amputated fingers or abnormal condition of the hand: If a portion of the first joint is present, the fingerprint can still be obtained. The fingerprint technician will document where fingerprints were unable to be obtained.
  • Non-temporary abnormalities to hands and fingers (i.e., cut on the index finger): If an applicant has a cut or a boil or any other temporary condition on a finger, the applicant must return when the condition is healed and the finger can be printed.
  • One hand or missing fingers: If a person has one hand or missing fingers, fingerprint impressions can be submitted using the available set of fingers.

Hand Disability Accommodation Form
Attorneys will be required to complete a BCIA-9010 California Department of Justice (DOJ) form at a local law enforcement agency where the attorney will be required to provide proof of identification.

Verify Identity with a Law Enforcement Agency
After downloading and printing the BCIA-9010 California Department of Justice (DOJ) form, you must take the following steps:

  • Contact a local law enforcement agency in advance for their operating hours, fees, payment methods, and walk-in policy.
  • Complete the application information section of the form.
  • Take the form, along with valid photo identification, to a law enforcement agency.
  • Request law enforcement agent to complete the form.
  • Pay any fees required by the law enforcement agency.
  • Mail a completed form and a check for a one-time fee of $49 to the State Bar at the following address:

The State Bar of California
Office of Admissions - Re-Fingerprinting Submission
845 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515

You will receive an email confirmation once your form has been received and reviewed. 

Do not mail the form to the DOJ. The State Bar must receive the form and review for completion. Once reviewed, the State Bar will mail the form to the DOJ.

*The fingerprinting deadline falls on Sunday, December 1, 2019. Please note that Active attorneys who still have not complied by day’s end on Monday, December 2, 2019, will be enrolled as Involuntarily Inactive effective December 3, 2019.

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