Taking the attorney’s oath is not just a ritual. It is required for admission to practice law in California pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 6067.
You may take the oath at an in-person or virtual group swearing-in ceremony organized by your law school, local bar association, or through another group. The State Bar’s Office of Admissions no longer hosts admission ceremonies.
If you are unable to attend an in-person ceremony, you may need to arrange to take the oath one-on-one with an authorized official (see instructions below).
Please note, you cannot be sworn in before your certification for admission has been accepted by the Supreme Court of California and without having received the required form. Please refer to the instructions and FAQs on the Virtual Oath Packet webpage.
California authorized officials
If you are unable to attend a group swearing-in ceremony, you may request an authorized official to swear you in. Below are the officials in California authorized to administer the oath.
Important note: California notaries public cannot administer the attorney’s oath virtually; they can only administer the oath in person.
A judge of any court of record. CCP § 2093 (a); Gov. Code § 1225
A justice of any court of record. CCP § 2093(a); Gov. Code § 1225
A former judge or justice of a court of record who is certified by the Commission on Judicial Performance to administer oaths (as long as the judge or justice was not facing charges at the time of resignation or retirement). CCP § 2093(c); Gov. Code § 1225
The clerk of any court of record. CCP § 2093(a)
A court commissioner of any court of record. CCP § 259; CCP § 2093(a)
A notary public. CCP § 2093(a)
A shorthand court reporter. CCP § 2093(b)
An officer of the executive branch of government (e.g., Governor, Lieutenant Governor)
Any member of the Legislature. Gov. Code § 1225
The Secretary of the Senate. Gov. Code § 9191.5
The Chief Clerk of the Assembly. Gov. Code § 9191.5
Any county officer (e.g., district attorney, registrar of voters, assessor, member of the Board of Supervisors) and the officer’s deputy. Gov. Code § 24057
Judges of the State Bar Court. Bus. Prof. Code § 6086.5; CCP § 2093(a)
The State Bar’s Chief Trial Counsel. Bus. Prof. Code § 6052; CCP § 2093(a)
Administrative Law Judges. Gov. Code § 11528; CCP § 2093(a)
Mayor. Gov. Code § 40603
Jury Commissioner. CCP § 196(a)
Outside California
Please note, when the attorney’s oath is taken before a judge or a court in another state or in a foreign country, the genuineness of the signature of the judge, the existence of the court, and the fact that such judge is a member thereof must be certified by the clerk of the court. (Code Civ. Proc. § 2015.)
Additionally, oaths made by military personnel are governed by California Civil Code section 1183.5.
Out-of-state If you reside outside of California, it is not necessary for you to return to California to take the attorney’s oath. Please note, if you are requesting that an official administer the oath virtually, you must confirm with the official that they are authorized to do so. Some of the most common officials authorized to administer the oath out-of-state are as follows:
A judge of any court of record
A justice of any court of record
A notary public
Out-of-country If you reside outside of the United States, it is not necessary for you to return to California to take the attorney’s oath. Some of the most common officials authorized to administer the oath out-of-country are as follows (Code Civ. Proc. § 2014):
An ambassador
A consul
A vice-consul
A consular agent of the United States
A judge of a court of record having a seal in such foreign country
Oath text
Text of the attorney’s oath is available below for the convenience of any person authorized to administer the oath. This is for reference purposes only. Successful applicants who have satisfied all admissions requirements are required to follow the procedures outlined in the Virtual Oath Packet to be officially sworn in and then subsequently enrolled by the State Bar.
OATH (to be taken before a Notary or other authorized administering officer): I, (licensee name) solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney and counselor at law to the best of my knowledge and ability. As an officer of the court, I will strive to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy, and integrity.
