If you are a servicemember, or the spouse, civil union partner, or registered domestic partner of a servicemember, who has relocated to California due to military orders, you may apply to practice law in California as a Registered Servicemember Attorney or Registered Servicemember Spouse Attorney (RSSA).
If you qualify, and subject to all rules, regulations, statutes, and requirements applicable to attorneys who receive a license, you may practice law in California and engage in all forms of legal practice permissible for a licensed attorney of the State Bar of California, including pro bono legal services. For more details, see Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.41.1.
Eligibility
To be eligible to become an RSSA, you must:
Be a “covered licensee,” which means you:
Are in good standing in all jurisdictions where you are licensed;
Have not been disbarred or had discipline imposed in any jurisdiction;
Are not subject to a disciplinary investigation in any jurisdiction; and
Have not resigned with charges pending in any jurisdiction.
Be a servicemember, or be the spouse, civil union partner, or registered domestic partner of such a servicemember; who has relocated to California due to military orders.
Applying for RSSA
To become a registered RSSA, you must submit an application demonstrating eligibility and pass a background check. Your application must include the following documentation:
Proof of military orders requiring relocation to California.
If applying as a spouse, civil union partner, or registered domestic partner, proof of the applicable relationship.
A signed affidavit under penalty of perjury affirming that:
You are the person described and identified in the application;
You have read and understand the requirements to be admitted as and to remain an active licensee of the State Bar, including being subject to the disciplinary authority of the Supreme Court and the State Bar;
You certify that you will comply with those requirements while registered;
You are in good standing in all jurisdictions where you are licensed and have not had discipline imposed, been disbarred, resigned with charges pending, or are subject to any disciplinary investigation in any jurisdiction; and
All statements made in the application are true, correct, and complete.
Authorization for Release of Information form to allow the State Bar to verify your standing with other jurisdictions.
You must complete fingerprinting for a background check. Applicants with demonstrable financial hardship may request a waiver of fingerprinting costs.
Application processing and temporary licensure
All required documentation must be submitted before an application will be considered complete.
Complete applications are typically processed within 30 days. If you fail to complete the application or submit all required documentation within 60 days, your application will be deemed abandoned.
Once your RSSA Application has been approved, the Office of Admissions will email you a Certificate of Registration as an RSSA.
If the State Bar cannot finish processing your application within 30 days of receipt of a complete application, the State Bar will issue a temporary license. Temporary licenses are valid for 90 days and will be extended for subsequent periods of 90 days until the State Bar registers the applicant as an RSSA or determines that the applicant is not eligible for registration as an RSSA.
Once your application is approved, the Office of Admissions will email you a Certificate of Registration as an RSSA. You will be searchable on the State Bar website.
If the State Bar determines that you are not eligible for registration as an RSSA, you will be notified of this determination.
Reminders
Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
You must satisfy the MCLE requirements for your compliance group as set forth in rules 2.70 and 2.71 of the Rules of the State Bar.
Annual renewal
You must submit annual fees through your My State Bar Profile, or as otherwise instructed by the Office of Admissions.
You must also submit the RSSA Renewal Application in the Applicant Portal, or as otherwise instructed by the Office of Admissions, annually.
The annual renewal period opens on February 1. You must complete the annual renewal requirements by April 1, or your registration as an RSSA will be terminated.
Notification requirements
You must notify the State Bar within 30 days if:
Your status in any jurisdiction changes (e.g., suspension, resignation, disciplinary investigation, discipline);
Your or your qualifying spouse/partner’s military orders change or terminate;
Your relationship to the servicemember ends (e.g., divorce, dissolution, death);
You relocate outside of California;
You have knowledge of information required to be disclosed pursuant to Bus. & Prof. Code, sections 6068(o) and 6086.8(c); or
Your contact or employment information changes.
Termination of registration
Your registration as an RSSA will be terminated if you no longer meet the eligibility requirements under rule 9.41.1. If you wish to reapply, you must submit a new application.
