When you submit your application through the Applicant Portal or send a hard copy to the Office of Admissions, the moral character determination process begins. Here’s how it unfolds:
Applicants are encouraged to submit a moral character application at the beginning of the last year of law study or at least 8 to 10 months prior to the date they wish to be admitted to practice law in California.
When you submit a Determination Application, you must:
Sign the Authorization and Release;
Remit the correct fee; and
Include fingerprints, via a Request for Live Scan Service form completed within the last 90 days (for applicants in California) or two fingerprint cards (for applicants outside of California).
When you submit a Moral Character Extension Application, you must:
After receiving your application, we will send you an email to confirm its receipt. It’s the first step in ensuring your application is on track.
2. Determining completeness
The Office of Admissions will then conduct an initial review to ensure your application is complete. If it is, we’ll notify you via email that your application has been deemed complete and will be further processed. If it’s not complete due to missing information, documentation, or payment, we’ll let you know via email. Please note that applications incomplete for more than 60 days may be deemed abandoned.
Generally, applications are processed in a minimum of 180 days, or 6 months, from the date they are deemed compete, unless there are issues in the applicant’s background that require further consideration or review by the State Bar.
3. Providing additional information
After your application has been deemed complete, it may be referred for further consideration and a moral character investigator will be assigned to review it. If additional information is needed, they will contact you. You will have 90 days from the request date to provide this information. Failure to submit a timely response may result in your application being deemed abandoned.
4. Refund policy
Please be aware that no refunds will be issued for abandoned applications. However, if you choose to withdraw your Determination Application or Extension Application within 30 days of the online submission date or receipt of the hard copy application, you will receive a 60 percent refund of your application fees. If your withdrawal request is received more than 30 days after submission, no refund will be granted.
Further processing of an application
Informal conference
We may invite you to participate in an informal conference to discuss issues relevant to your moral character determination. Attendance is not mandatory, and if you decline the invitation, we will make a determination based on available information, without drawing any negative inference from your decision. If you choose to participate in an informal conference, legal counsel may attend and observe the conference. Informal conferences are held pursuant to the Procedures Governing Informal Conferences.
Administrative review and State Bar Court
If you receive an adverse determination of moral character from the State Bar, you have options for review:
If the CBE issues an adverse determination, you may file a request for a moral character proceeding and hearing with the State Bar Court within 60 days of notification of the CBE’s decision. Moral Character proceedings in State Bar Court are governed by rule 5.460 et seq. of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar.
Positive determination
A positive moral character determination is valid for 36 months or until submission of an Extension Application.
You may request an extension of a positive moral character determination by submitting an Extension Application no sooner than 30 months and no later than 36 months after the issuance of an initial positive determination or approval of a preceding Extension Application. If a positive determination is issued on an Extension Application, it is valid for 36 months or until submission of a subsequent Extension Application. If an Extension Application is not submitted prior to the expiration date of the positive determination, the applicant must submit a new Determination Application if they wish to pursue admission to the practice of law.
We’re here to assist you in the moral character process. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
