The State Bar maintains the roll of all licensees admitted to practice in California. Licensees are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information in their State Bar record. Additionally, licensees must pay the annual license fees to maintain active or inactive status in the calendar year.
Use the links below to learn more:
Annual License Renewal Annual fees Fee scaling Fee waivers Reporting Requirements Attorney Census IOLTA Transfer to active status Transfer to inactive status Thinking of retiring? To voluntarily resign To change your name on your licensee record Obtain a Certificate of Standing Fingerprinting rule requirements Legal Specialization Lawyer Assistance Program Managing your law office FAQs
The State Bar annual license renewal begins December 1 and has a timely deadline of February 1. During the annual license renewal, attorneys must:
Log in to your My State Bar Profile to verify required information, pay fees, and report Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE).
Forgot your My State Bar Profile password? You may reset your password online or contact Attorney Regulation at 888-800-3400.
You can calculate your annual State Bar fees and costs through your My State Bar Profile, and then pay by credit card or electronic check from a checking/savings account (ACH). You can also print the invoice available after you calculate your fees to mail with a payment by check. Mailed payments must include a copy of the generated invoice.
Description
Amount
Deadline
Annual fees for active licensees
$515.00
February 1
Annual fees for inactive licensees
$182.40
View frequently asked questions about paying fees.
To review any fee scaling eligibility, refer to the Rules of the State Bar of California, Rule 2.15. Fee scaling applies only to licensees on active status with qualifying income. Payment and the fee scaling declaration must be received by the State Bar no later than February 1, 2022, to qualify. The fee scaling declaration is available through your My State Bar Profile when calculating your fees. View Frequently Asked Questions about fee scaling.
To review any waiver eligibility, refer to the Rules of the State Bar of California, Rule 2.16. A licensee may apply for a waiver of payment of the annual fees by submitting the required Licensing Fee Waiver Application form.
Attorneys are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information in their State Bar record. Any changes must be reported within 30 days. Pursuant to Rule 2.2 (c) of the Rules of the State Bar of California, attorneys are required to verify the information in their State Bar record by February 1 of each year during the annual license renewal process.
Additionally, California Business and Professions Code section 6002.1 requires all licensees, regardless of their status, to maintain a current publicly available mailing address on the official records of the State Bar of California. California Rule of Court 9.9 requires licensees to use My State Bar Profile to report changes to contact information and provide a private email address for State Bar communications.
View more information on licensee reporting requirements.
The State Bar conducts an annual Attorney Census to gather demographic and employment data from the state’s licensees. The Attorney Census contains questions on demographic characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and veteran’s status. Questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions about the Attorney Census.
California law requires attorneys who handle client funds to hold them in an interest-bearing bank account. In certain circumstances, the State Bar uses the interest on these accounts to benefit nonprofit legal aid organizations throughout the state. Find out more about IOLTA accounts as well as guidelines for opening and maintaining them. We also have guidelines for banks and other financial institutions.
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 the Application for Transfer to Inactive. Transferring to inactive status after February 1 will not reduce active fees owed. View more information and access the required form.
The State Bar does not have a retired status option; the only voluntary statuses are active, inactive, and resigned. Please remember that annual license fees are waived for licensees on inactive status who are 70 years of age on February 1 and will continue to be waived for subsequent years, as long as they remain inactive. If you are no longer practicing law, you may either transfer to inactive status or resign your license completely.
The State Bar does not have a retired status option; the only voluntary statuses are active, inactive, or resigned. Notification of retirement is not sufficient to change your status. Submission of the Voluntary Resignation Form is required. View more information on voluntary resignation.
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 a licensee'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 posted online. 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.