The State Bar’s mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system. Additionally, the State Bar of California’s strategic goals include “promot[ing] diversity and inclusion in the legal system.”

• 2025: 9.9 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2024: 8.7 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2023: 15.1 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2022: 8.7 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2021: 11.1 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2020: 6.5 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2019: 8.1 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2018: 7.2 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2017: 7.9 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2016: 5.5 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2015: 7.9 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2014: 7.1 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2013: 10.7 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2012: 13.82 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2011: 6.36 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.
• 2010: 9.13 percent of candidates were rated not qualified.

The State Bar encourages individual licensees to pay their annual fees online through My State Bar Profile. When it is necessary to mail a payment, you must include either a copy of your invoice which can be generated online in your profile, or a copy of your fee statement, which is available to download in My State Bar Profile. The only exception to this is if your payment clearly indicates your bar number and VAK (your VAK is an additional bank validation code provided on your invoice and fee statement).

Failure to include a copy of your invoice or fee statement with your mailed payment may result in your payment being rejected and subject you to nonconforming payment penalties.

The State Bar no longer accepts cash payments, and we do not accept payments in person or over the phone.

The commission explored policy issues relating to public access to attorney discipline history and expungement of discipline records. 

With regards to posting discipline history, the Ad Hoc Commission on the Discipline System found that:

• Although there is no statutory or rule requirement that the State Bar display public discipline history on the licensee’s attorney profile page on the State Bar’s website, the State Bar has chosen to facilitate the public’s right of access to attorney disciplinary records posting it; and
• There is currently no time limit on how long such information is posted, contrary to the practice of other similarly situated state agencies, such as the Medical Board of California.

With regards to discipline record expungement, the Ad Hoc Commission on the Discipline System found that:

• Despite the existence of Business and Professions Code section 6092.5(e), which states the State Bar shall “Expunge the records of the State Bar as directed by the California Supreme Court” there is no formal process for attorneys to petition the Supreme Court for expungement.

As a result, the commission recommended that the Board of Trustees:

• Adopt the following timelines for removal of the attorney discipline from the website attorney profile page and for expungement of attorney discipline records:
  • Private reproval: One year of when conditions are met.
  • Public reproval: Three years.
  • Probation with stayed suspension: Three years of conclusion of probation.
  • Probation with actual suspension: Five years from reinstatement.
  • Disbarment: Public indefinitely (no change).

Eligibility for expungement of the attorney discipline record would be based on no new discipline or active investigations during the period, and payment of all restitution.

The Contact webpage lists offices and phone numbers.

You can use the Attorney Search feature. Each attorney profile provides contact information, indicates whether the attorney is currently active and entitled to practice law, and has information on whether the attorney has ever been disciplined by the State Bar for professional misconduct.

If you feel that you have been victimized by someone who is not licensed to practice law, you can file a complaint with the State Bar so that we can investigate. There is no charge to file a complaint. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, and the State Bar will not ask about your citizenship or immigration status.

The commission investigates all statements made in the candidate's Application for Appointment that the candidate submits to the Governor's office. In addition, confidential comment forms are sent to the following:

a. 50 to 75 names of persons provided by the candidate, who are reasonably likely to have knowledge of the candidate's qualifications (personal list);

b. a broad cross-section of the names of attorneys in the counties and the areas of law in which the candidate practices;

c. all judicial officers in each county where a candidate practices and seeks appointment, except for the County of Los Angeles;

d. at least 50 percent of all judicial officers if the candidate practices in the County of Los Angeles, and all judicial officers in any other county where the candidate seeks appointment;

e. all names listed in the candidate's Application for Appointment;

f. all justices of any appellate district where a candidate practices and all justices of the California Supreme Court;

g. all or at least 50 randomly selected prosecutors and criminal defenders, whichever number is less, in any county where a candidate practices criminal law and any other county where the candidate seeks appointment.

h. 75 names selected at random from the commission's mailing list.

The objective is to obtain a return of at least 50 Confidential Comment Forms that provide information that is sufficient and credible for a fair evaluation.

JNE was a pilot program in 1979. It was established pursuant to Government Code section 12011.5, effective January 1, 1980. Prior to creation of the commission, the Board of Trustees evaluated candidates.

Courses required by AB 1825 (mandatory sexual harassment awareness and prevention training for personnel managers) are approved for recognition and elimination of bias MCLE credit.

Yes, however, a live podcast can only be approved retroactively. A prerecorded podcast may be approved in advance of air date if a transcript of the podcast is submitted as part of the application.

No, the same instruction time cannot be allocated to more than one subfield. The instruction time can, however, be divided among multiple subfields.

Any active status attorney who can demonstrate total 2024 gross annual individual income from all sources of less than ($60,478.35) may qualify for a 25 percent reduction in their annual license fee. 

The State Bar may conduct a random audit of scaling applications during the billing year and applicants may be required to submit tax forms and other proof of financial condition.

No, only those paying the active rate qualify for fee scaling.

The State Bar is using eConciliador to administer the Program. eConciliador is a secure online platform that helps settle claims efficiently and quickly.

No, you don’t need to provide any financial documents to receive an offer to settle for less than what you owe. For attorneys not allowed to practice law as of January 1, 2025 and who cannot afford the settlement offer, the State Bar will ask for more information to determine if extreme financial hardship should be considered in accepting a lower settlement for collections purposes only.

When you sign the Settlement Agreement, the State Bar will recall your debt from FTB within two weeks. Any payments already in transit from FTB to the State Bar at that time belong to the State Bar and will not be refunded to you.

Please email collections@calbar.ca.gov for information on how the outcome of your bankruptcy proceeding affected debt owed to the State Bar.

Employers, regardless of sector, that employ California-licensed attorneys are eligible to participate in the DEI Leadership Seal Program. This includes, but is not limited to, law firms of all sizes, in-house legal departments, legal academia, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies with attorney staff.

DEI Leadership Seal recipients must submit an annual attestation form to confirm that they continue to have at least five of the ten Action Items implemented. Current seal recipients must submit the DEI Leadership Seal Attestation form annually.