I am a U.S. attorney. Can I apply for the CLS Program?
No. You are ineligible to participate in the program if you are licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction.
I want to apply for the CLS Program, but I missed my first eligible bar examination. Can I still apply?
No. You must take your first eligible California Bar Examination as determined by the State Bar; otherwise, you are not eligible to apply to participate in the program.
I graduated last year. Could I still apply for the program?
No. An applicant who graduates from a juris doctor (JD) program, completes one year in a Master of Laws (LLM) program, or completes their law study through the Law Office Study Program is eligible to apply for the Certified Law Student Program for up to 30 days after completing the program.
What can I do as a certified law student through the CLS Program?
Once you have been certified by the State Bar, you may engage only in the activities permitted by rule 9.42(e) of the Rules of Court under supervision.
How long will it take for my CLS application to be processed?
Generally, when you submit a complete and accurate CLS application through the Applicant Portal, the State Bar will process it within 30 days of receipt.
Incomplete applications will take longer to process. If your application is deemed incomplete, you will have 60 days from the date you received notification of the missing information or documentation to bring it to a complete status. If your application is not deemed complete within this period, your application will be abandoned without a refund of any fees paid, absent a showing of good cause.
Can I call myself an “Attorney,” “Associate,” “Counsel,” or “Esquire” once I am approved as a certified law student through the CLS Program?
No. You may only use the title “Certified Law Student” in connection with your activities performed under the program. You may not claim in any way to be a licensee of the State Bar of California.
If I am a certified law student through the CLS Program, can I take the California Bar Exam and still participate in the program?
Yes. To remain in the program, you must take your first eligible administration of the California Bar Exam, and your certification in the program will continue only until the State Bar releases results for that examination.
Who qualifies to be a Supervising Attorney?
Your Supervising Attorney must be an active licensee of the State Bar of California in good standing. They must have practiced law for at least four years in any United States jurisdiction and have actively practiced law in California or taught in a California law school for at least two years immediately preceding the time of supervision. Please refer to California Rules of Court 9.42 (a)(4).
How do I change or add a Supervising Attorney?
You may request to add or change a Supervising Attorney at the same employer/agency by submitting a “Certified Law Students Extension – Supervising Attorney Change” application, a Supervising Attorney Declaration form from each new supervising attorney, including the fee set forth in the Schedule of Charges and Deadlines through the Applicant Portal, prior to the commencement of the supervision period.
I would like to change or add another employer. What should I do?
You may change or add an employer/agency by submitting an original Certified Law Student Program Application, a Supervising Attorney Declaration form from each new supervising attorney at the new employer, and the fee set forth in the Schedule of Charges and Deadlines through the Applicant Portal, prior to the commencement of the supervision period.