To receive credit for a six-month study period, applicants must study law under the supervision of their approved attorney or judge for at least 72 hours per month for six consecutive months, lasting at least 24 weeks and no longer than 26 weeks, as well as submit a semi-annual report within 30 days of completion for each six-month period that conforms to the State Bar requirements.

The supervisor must supervise the applicant directly for at least 20 hours per month, either in person or remotely. At least 10 of those hours over each six-month period must be in person.

If the CPA identifies issues or discrepancies in your trust accounting practices, the State Bar will evaluate the findings, discuss with the designated licensee, and determine the appropriate next steps. Depending on the nature and severity of the issues, next steps may include education, a corrective action plan, further investigation, or a referral to the Office of Chief Trial Counsel.

The scope of a compliance review will encompass at least one year of trust account activity, which will generally be January 1 to December 31 of the prior year. If a compliance review identifies findings that require a licensee to participate in an investigative audit performed by the State Bar, the scope of the audit will encompass at least three (3) years of trust account activity but will not go beyond five (5) years; see Rules of the State Bar, rule 2.6(B) and Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1.15(d)(5).

Yes. Business and Professions Code section 6073.2(d)(2) only applies to full-time employees or officers or elected officials of the State of California, or political subdivision thereof, or the federal government. Part-time employees are required to report either the amount of pro bono service hours provided in the past year, that they did not track their pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, that they did not complete any pro bono or reduced fee legal services hours, or that they decline to answer.

No. The State Bar will not send a reminder before your NAT completion deadline. You are personally responsible for tracking and meeting your deadline.

If you do not complete NAT by your deadline, the State Bar will send you a notice of noncompliance. The notice will explain that you must complete NAT and pay any assessed noncompliance penalty to avoid being enrolled as inactive and becoming ineligible to practice law.

Because NAT is a onetime requirement, it may not appear in the same area of My State Bar Profile as your annual MCLE compliance obligations. Remember to:

• Keep your email address and mailing address current with the State Bar,
• Review your notifications in My State Bar Profile regularly, and
• Complete NAT well before your deadline.
   

No. Fee waivers are not available. The fee to access all nine NAT courses is $55. 

You have two options: (1) You can return to California and follow the instructions for being re-fingerprinted by a Live Scan vendor using the same OATI number; OR (2) You can order fingerprint cards and follow the instructions for out-of-state attorneys or out-of-country attorneys.

The Handbook on Client Trust Accounting for California Attorneys is the primary resource. The State Bar also maintains an online list of resources on client trust accounting as well as information about IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts) requirements. If you have questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry Form.

Absolutely! All attorneys are encouraged to contribute their time and/or financial support. Please consider making a contribution directly to a pro bono legal services provider, or contribute to the Greg E. Knoll Justice Gap Fund annually through the State Bar licensee fee statement or on the State Bar’s website. 

No. To complete the audit you need to submit proof of completion of the required number of participatory courses. At least one-half of any MCLE requirement must be completed via participatory courses.

Contact the LAP office for details about the income eligibility requirements and the application process. Financial assistance can cover up to one year of LAP group fees and one year of lab testing fees.

For more information, see the LAP Growth Grant Criteria.

Yes. Many legal aid and pro bono legal services providers offer training in substantive legal areas that volunteer attorneys may not already be familiar. You can learn about a new area of law and, in many cases, be connected with a mentor who is an expert in the field, who can answer questions that may come up as you go along. Pro bono work is a great way to gain both knowledge and experience. Contact a pro bono or qualified legal services provider to explore the opportunities. You can also find training opportunities through the Practising Law Institute or Pro Bono Training Institute.

A Registered Foreign Legal Consultant is admitted to practice and is in good standing as an attorney, counselor at law, or the equivalent in a foreign country and has a current State Bar Certificate of Registration as a Foreign Legal Consultant. A Registered Foreign Legal Consultant may practice the law of their country in California but may not practice California law. Please see rule 9.44 of the California Rules of Court and Title 3, Division 3, Chapter 4 of the Rules of the State Bar.

The State Bar does not oversee Live Scan vendors and cannot endorse or recommend vendors to attorneys.The DOJ has a list of certified Live Scan vendors. Attorneys are encouraged to select a California DOJ certified Live Scan vendor.

None. IOLTA only involves funds that a lawyer would not otherwise invest on the client's behalf because those funds would not produce net income over the cost of investing them.

Administers the Client Security Fund, which reimburses those who have lost money or property due to theft or dishonest conduct by a California attorney. Supports law students, State Bar applicants, and current and former attorneys who require monitoring for substance use and behavioral health issues, including attorneys participating in the State Bar Court’s alternative discipline program. In addition, the office administers the voluntary portion of the Lawyer Assistance Program, which provides a variety of services to help law students, State Bar applicants, and current and former attorneys who are struggling with substance use, behavioral health issues, or other personal and/or career concerns. The office also monitors attorneys who are disciplined and must comply with conditions pursuant to a probation or reproval matter.

Carries out all activities that enable the California Supreme Court to grant licenses to newly qualified entrants to California's legal profession. The office develops, administers, and grades the California Bar Exam and the First-Year Law Students’ Exam and conducts moral character investigations of all applicants. The office is also responsible for California's uniquely diverse pathways to the law. It supports the Committee of Bar Examiners in accrediting California-accredited law schools and registering unaccredited law schools. It also administers programs that allow lawyers licensed in other jurisdictions or law students to practice in certain defined, limited areas, as well as programs to certify specialists in 13 areas of legal practice. In 2020, the office developed a new program for the provisional licensure of recent law graduates and others.

No, all MCLE tests offered by the State Bar are available only online. Only the online self-assessment tests are eligible for MCLE credit.

Ethics School provides an overview of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant provisions of the State Bar Act. It is designed to help attorneys identify and avoid common ethical pitfalls in practice. The course is self-paced and available on the State Bar’s E-learning Portal 24/7. It replaces the live monthly sessions previously offered.

Participation in self-help recovery groups is an essential element of recovery for many people. LAP groups are an important adjunct to the recovery process, rather than a substitute for participation in self-help programs.

LAP groups are supportive process groups that are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals. LAP groups differ from self-help groups by providing an individualized focus to the recovery process and more personalized support from the group, under the guidance of the group facilitator. Only law students, State Bar applicants, and attorneys are in the LAP groups. It is not open to the general public.