Are there separate Certificates of Attendance for speakers?
No. Except for the credit hours awarded, the certificate is the same for both speakers and nonspeakers.
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Can a speaker receive credit as an attendee?
The speaker should receive credit for their attendance time less their speaking time. As an example, a speaker who speaks for 15 minutes during a 1-hour program would only be eligible for 45 minutes of attendance credit (i.e., 60 minutes of program time minus 15 minutes of speaking time = 45 minutes or 0.75 hours).
How are speaker credit hours calculated?
Regardless of the time increment, the speaker should be awarded their actual speaking time multiplied by four. For example, a speaker who speaks for 15 minutes would receive 1 hour of speaking credit (i.e., 0.25 hours x 4 = 1.00 hour speaking credit). Additionally, the speaker credit should be rounded to the nearest quarter-hour if necessary. For example, a speaker who speaks for 10 minutes should receive 45 minutes of speaking credit (i.e., 10 minutes x 4 rounded up to the nearest quarter-hour = 45 minutes or 0.75 hours).
Please note: Speaker credit should only be granted for the first presentation of a program. Speakers who repeat the same presentation should only receive attendance credit for that presentation.
How does a provider track attendance for participatory activities?
Providers can use the State Bar’s Record of Attendance form, or its equivalent, to take attendance. In addition to the California licensee’s name, State Bar number, and signature, the form must include the following information:
• The title of the MCLE activity;
• Date of the MCLE activity; and
• Total hours awarded, including any credit hours or partial credit hours awarded for legal ethics, recognition and elimination of bias, implicit bias, competence issues, or legal specialization as a component of the activity.
What activities qualify for general MCLE credit?
Activities that qualify for general MCLE credit are those that relate to legal subjects directly relevant to State Bar licensees and have current significant educational, professional, or practical content, with an objective to increase each participant’s professional competency as an attorney. Activities designed for nonattorney participants do not qualify and will not be approved for general MCLE credit. More on Standards for MCLE Activity Approval
I am an approved SAP, so why am I not listed on the website?
Only MAPs are listed on the State Bar’s website. A provider with MAP status is considered to have demonstrated a strong understanding of both the standards for approval of MCLE activities and their responsibilities as outlined in the MCLE provider rules, and therefore, activities held by these providers are presumed to be approved by the State Bar.
How long does the provider’s status remain effective once approved?
A SAP’s application/program is approved for a period of two years from the date of the activity. An approval for MAP status is granted for a period of two years.
What types of legal education providers are approved in California?
There are two types of approved providers in California: Single Activity Providers and Multiple Activity Providers. A Single Activity Provider (SAP) is an organization approved to hold and grant Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) or Legal Specialty Minimum Continuing Legal Education (LSMCLE) credit for a single MCLE or LSMCLE activity for a period of two years from the date of the activity, provided that no substantive changes are made to the program. A SAP must apply for and receive approval of the activity in accordance with the State Bar’s procedures and pay applicable fee(s). More on becoming a Single Activity Provider
A Multiple Activity Provider (MAP) is an organization approved to hold and grant credit for any MCLE or LSMCLE activity for two years after applying for and receiving approval of MAP status in accordance with State Bar procedures and paying the applicable fee(s). Providers approved for MAP status do not have to submit separate applications to request approval for each program offered. More on becoming a Multiple Activity Provider
What is the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation?
The Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation (JNE; JNE Commission), is an agency of the State Bar created by statute for the express purpose of evaluating judicial candidates nominated by the Governor. The language of the statute, Government Code section 12011.5, is mandatory. It provides that, prior to exercising their constitutional right to make judicial appointments, the Governor shall submit to JNE the names of all potential appointees or nominees for judicial office for evaluation of their judicial qualifications. The commission operates pursuant to rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar.
What is the role of the JNE Commission?
The role of the JNE Commission is to gather information about the candidates and to conduct a confidential evaluation of the judicial qualifications of candidates whose names have been submitted to the commission by the Governor and to report its findings, in absolute confidence, to the Governor.
The commission, in evaluating candidates, functions independently of the Board of Trustees of the State Bar. Board liaison attend the commission meetings periodically but do not participate in discussions, express opinions, or vote, and are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as commission members.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the State Bar?
Common questions
Can the State Bar help me find a lawyer for my legal problems?
The State Bar does not refer clients to lawyers or provide legal advice. We provide a directory of certified Lawyer Referral Services in your area who may be able to help you find a lawyer. Please see our Find Legal Professionals section for resources. The State Bar also publishes free legal information for consumers.
How do I file a complaint against my lawyer or a lawyer referral service?
If you believe your lawyer has done something wrong, you can file a complaint with the State Bar. Complaints may be submitted online or by mail. If you have questions or need assistance in completing the form, call the State Bar’s Attorney Complaint Hotline at 800-843-9053. For more information on reporting a lawyer to the State Bar and handling other problems, read the legal guide If You Have a Problem with an Attorney.
If you have a complaint about a certified or uncertified LRS, you can file a complaint against the service with the State Bar. In order to promote public protection, the State Bar will review your complaint to determine if the LRS has violated Business and Professions Code Section 6155 and State Bar Rules.
For more information on certified lawyer referral services, contact LRS@calbar.ca.gov.
When are the annual fees due?
The due date is by March 30, or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, each year during the annual license renewal process. The 2025 annual deadline is April 1, 2025. If you miss the deadline, you will be charged a penalty ($103 for active attorneys, $31 for inactive attorneys).
What activities qualify for general MCLE credit?
Activities that qualify for general MCLE credit are those that relate to legal subjects directly relevant to State Bar licensees and have current significant educational, professional, or practical content, with an objective to increase each participant’s professional competency as an attorney. Activities designed for nonattorney participants do not qualify and will not be approved for general MCLE credit. More on Standards for MCLE Activity Approval
What is IOLTA?
IOLTA stands for Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts. Attorneys deposit client funds that they plan to hold briefly, or that are too small to earn interest for the client, into larger shared accounts. Over 73,000 attorneys make deposits in approximately 49,000 IOLTA accounts in California. As of September 2019, IOLTA accounts hold nearly $5 billion. Any interest earned on these accounts is paid by financial institutions to the State Bar, which in turn distributes those funds as grants to qualified nonprofit civil legal organizations throughout the state.
Refer to the State Bar’s IOLTA FAQ page for more information.
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What is “administrative inactive status?”
This means you are not entitled to practice California law and your public State Bar records will note this period of not entitled status.
Why is the State Bar conducting an Attorney Census?
The State Bar’s statutory mission to protect the public “includes support for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system” (see California Business and Professions Code, section 6001.1). The State Bar’s Strategic Plan takes a systemic and institutional approach to increasing diversity and inclusion in the profession. A major component of this work is collecting, analyzing, and presenting comprehensive, current, and accurate data on California’s licensed attorneys through an annual voluntary Attorney Census that captures the following demographic characteristics: race/ethnicity, gender identity, cis/transgender identity, sexual identity, disability status, and military status.
The Attorney Census also assists the State Bar in complying with California Rule of Court rule 9.9 and California Business and Professions Code sections 6002.1 and 6009.5.
I just found more certificates. Can I add them to my audit submission?
If you receive a notice of deficiency and are able to locate more certificates for courses taken within the compliance period, please submit them as an attachment to the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form. Please remember to include the MCLE Audit Submission Cover Sheet and a letter of explanation whenever responding to a Notice of Deficiency.
Research and Institutional Accountability
Conducts research, evaluation, and data management to support the State Bar’s multiple missions, management accountability, and effectiveness, and to inform planning and policy initiatives. The office also supports the State Bar in fulfilling its unique role as a statewide aggregator and distributor of data about California’s legal profession.
Chief Trial Counsel
The prosecutorial arm of the State Bar, OCTC carries out the agency's public protection mission by investigating and prosecuting attorneys for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and the State Bar Act. The office also investigates and pursues complaints regarding the unauthorized practice of law. OCTC can go to court to seize unauthorized law practices, partners with law enforcement on criminal prosecution, and pursues civil penalties against those involved in the unauthorized practice of law.
How long is Ethics School, and will I receive Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit for attending?
The course is three hours long. However, you may take it at your own pace and save your progress.
If you are taking the course as the result of being disciplined by the State Bar, CLE credit is not available. Attorneys completing the course for this purpose must submit a certificate of completion to the Office of Case Management and Supervision upon completion of the course.
If you are taking this course as a condition of an abeyance stipulation related to an Application for Determination of Moral Character, MCLE credit is not available. Individuals completing the course for this purpose must submit a certificate of completion to the Office of Admissions upon conclusion of the course.
When browsing the course catalog, select “Ethics School—The Rules of Professional Conduct.” Do not select the course that covers similar content (e.g., “The Rules of Professional Conduct”). Taking any similar voluntary course will not satisfy your mandatory obligation to complete the course, whether mandated by an order of the California Supreme Court or the State Bar Court, or required by the Office of Admissions. To satisfy a mandatory obligation, you must take the mandatory Ethics School course, which is not eligible for MCLE credit.
How can I change my address of record with the State Bar?
You can make changes to your address of record online by logging into your My State Bar Profile. For more information, go to Attorney Address Change.
If I already had an account set up in the prior system, will I need to create a new account in the AIMS?
No.
Your prior account information will be migrated into the new AIMS. You will receive an e-mail on March 1, 2019 with instructions on how to log-in to the AIMS along with a direct link to reset your password (if you didn’t receive the e-mail, check your SPAM folder).
What qualifies as "Language(s) Spoken"?
List any languages, besides English, in which you, or your staff, are fluent enough to communicate with clients on legal matters.
How will I know which attorney is the best one for me?
For guidance on selecting an attorney, the State Bar publications,
How Can I Find and Hire the Right Lawyer?
and
What Can a Lawyer Referral Service Do for Me?
will give you tips on choosing the right attorney.
What is the “Attorney Search” function on the State Bar website?
The State Bar provides information about California attorneys through its online directory. An attorney’s official State Bar record includes:
- name
- bar number
- contact information
- law school attended
- status of practice,
- legal specialty, if certified
- disciplinary history, if any
- sections membership
What if I submit someone else’s documentation as my own?
Submission of falsified documentation will result in a referral to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel for further investigation and/or disciplinary action.
If I can’t find all of my certificates, can I submit my receipts instead?
No. Please do not submit your receipts. A receipt is not considered sufficient proof of course completion. If you cannot find your certificates, contact the provider, send them your receipts, and ask for their assistance in helping provide proof of course completion.
Providers are required to maintain proof of attendance for four years. Contact your provider to obtain your certificates of attendance and exhaust all possible avenues to find your attendance records before completing additional courses. Submitting out of period coursework may result in your audit file being referred to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel for further investigation and/or disciplinary prosecution.
Does the rule apply retroactively?
It may. A lawyer’s duty to report another lawyer begins on the rule’s effective date: August 1, 2023. However, to the extent a lawyer knows of credible evidence of another lawyer’s conduct that occurred prior to August 1, 2023, the lawyer is obligated to report that past conduct because the lawyer’s knowledge exists on or after the effective date of rule 8.3.
Can I be disciplined for failing to report my own misconduct under rule 8.3?
No, rule 8.3 applies to reporting misconduct of another lawyer. However, licensees have self-reporting obligations, and this rule does not excuse a lawyer from reporting their own conduct in certain instances. (See Rule 8.4.1(d) & (e); Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6068, subd. (o).)
For RMSA and RLAA, who qualifies to be a supervising attorney?
Your supervising attorney must be an active licensee of the State Bar of California in good standing for at least two years before beginning supervision. They must also have practiced law in California as a full-time occupation for at least four years in any U.S. jurisdiction. Please refer to rules 9.41.1 and 9.45 of the California Rules of Court.
What is the deadline to request testing accommodations?
A Testing Accommodations Application must be completed and received by the State Bar no later than the following:
• January 1 for the February California Bar Examination;
• June 1 for the July California Bar Examination;
• May 15 for the June First-Year Law Students’ Examination; or
• September 15 for the October First-Year Law Students’ Examination.
How do I know where I will take the exam?
The California Bar Examination will be administered in person. When registering to take the exam, all applicants will be required to choose a standard testing site but will also have the opportunity to indicate their preferred testing accommodations location. In the event that you are granted accommodations that require you to be at a testing accommodations site, staff will reassign you, and your Admittance Ticket will reflect the updated testing accommodations site.
What is my exam schedule?
The exam is comprised of 100 multiple-choice questions administered in two 90-minute sessions, with a 20-minute break between sessions.
Is there a preferred file type and file size limit when uploading or posting a document?
Yes, PDF documents are preferred. Word documents are discouraged, as incompatible versions may create technical issues. There is a 25 MB upload limit per post.
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