2024 State Bar annual licensing fees are due Feb 1, via My State Bar Profile. Need help resetting your profile password? Watch this screen tour or follow our step-by-step guide.
The State Bar maintains the roll of all licensees admitted to practice in California. Licensees are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information in their State Bar record. Additionally, licensees must pay the annual license fees to maintain active or inactive status in the calendar year.Use the links below to learn more:
Annual license renewal
Annual fees
Financial hardship annual fees waivers
Reporting requirements
IOLTAand client trust account reporting
Status changes
To change your name on your licensee record
Obtain a Certificate of Standing
Fingerprinting rule requirements
Legal Specialization
Lawyer Assistance Program
Managing your law office
Attorney Census
Annual license renewal
The State Bar annual license renewal begins December 1 and has a deadline of February 1. During the annual license renewal period, attorneys must:
- Verify required information in your State Bar record pursuant to rule 2.2(B) of the Rules of the State Bar of California.
- Comply with Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) reporting requirements.
- Pay the annual license fees.
- Report MCLE compliance if you are in the current reporting MCLE group.
Log in toMy State Bar Profile to complete your annual license renewal requirements. If any of the above requirements are not met by February 1, late fees will be assessed for noncompliance. If you do not comply by the final deadline, your license may be suspended, and you will be ineligible to practice law.
- Learn more aboutMy State Bar Profile
- View the My State Bar Profile User Guide
- Access Attorney Regulation forms
Forgot your password forMy State Bar Profile? You may reset your password online or contact usat 888-800-3400.
Annual fees
You can calculate your annual State Bar fees and costs throughMy State Bar Profile, and then pay by credit card or electronic check from a checking/savings account (ACH). You can also print the invoice available after you calculate your fees to mail with a payment by check. Mailed payments must include a copy of the generated invoice. Use ofMy State Bar Profile will ensure compliance withrule 2.11 and avoid nonconforming payment penalties.
Description | Amount | Deadline |
Annual fees for active licensees | $510.00 | February 1 |
Annual fees for inactive licensees | $182.40 | February 1 |
View frequently asked questions about paying fees.
Financial hardship annual fees waivers
25 percentfee scaling reduction
To review any fee scaling eligibility, refer to rule 2.15 of the Rules of the State Bar of California. Pursuant to rule 2.15, active licensees who have a total gross annual individual income from all sources of less than $60,478.35 may request a twenty-five percent fee scaling reduction of annual fees. Requests to fee scale must include the required fee scaling declaration signed under penalty of perjury and payment of the reduced fee. The required fee scaling declaration may be submitted online throughMy State Bar Profile when calculating your annual fees. View Frequently Asked Questions about fee scaling.
50 percentfee waiver reduction
To review any waiver eligibility, refer to rule 2.16 of the Rules of the State Bar of California. Pursuant to rule 2.16(c), licensees who have a total gross annual household income from all sources of $20,000 or less may request a fifty percent waiver of annual fees. A licensee may apply for a fifty percent waiver of annual fees by submitting the required Licensing Fee Waiver Application.
Reporting requirements
Attorneys are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the information in their State Bar record. Any changes must be reported within 30 days. Pursuant to rule 2.2 (c) of the Rules of the State Bar of California, attorneys are required to verify the information in their State Bar record by February 1 of each year during the annual license renewal process.
Additionally, California Business and Professions Code section 6002.1 requires all licensees, regardless of their status, to maintain a current publicly available mailing address on the official records of the State Bar of California. California Rules of Court, rule 9.9 requires licensees to use My State Bar Profile to report changes to contact information and provide a private email address for State Bar communications.
View more information on licensee reporting requirements.
IOLTA and client trust account reporting
California Rules of Court, rule 9.8.5 and Rules of the State Bar of California, title 2, division 1, rule 2.5 requires licensees to:
- Register annually allIOLTA and non-IOLTA accountsthat were open at any point during the reporting period;
- Complete an annual self-assessment of client trust account management practice (questions previewed here);and
- Certify compliance with the rules of safekeeping.
Status changes
Transfer to active status
Only licensees on voluntary inactive status may transfer to active status by submitting the required Request to Transfer to Active Status form. While suspended, a licensee cannot change license status.For further questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.
Additionally, under California Rules of Court, rule 9.9.5, all inactive licensed attorneys must be in compliance with fingerprinting requirements prior to being placed on active status.
A status change to active will be effective upon the State Bar’s receipt of the Request to Transfer to Active Status form and compliance with the fingerprinting requirement. Additionally, if applicable, once the annual fees have been adjusted, payment will be expected promptly. View more information and access the required form.
Transfer to inactive status
Only active licensees may transfer to a voluntary inactive status. While suspended, a licensee cannot change license status. For further questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.
A status change to inactive will be effective upon the State Bar’s receipt of the Application for Transfer to Inactive. To qualify for the inactive fee, you must formally transfer to inactive status by submitting the required form no later than February 1. Transferring to inactive status after February 1 will not reduce active fees owed. View more information and access the required form.
Thinking of retiring?
The State Bar does not have a retired status option; the only voluntary statuses are active, inactive, and resigned. Please remember that annual license fees are waived for licensees on inactive status who are 70 years of age on February 1 and will continue to be waived for subsequent years, as long as they remain inactive. If you are no longer practicing law, you may either transfer to inactive status or resign your license completely.
- View more information on transferring to inactive status.
- View more information on voluntarily resigning.
To voluntarily resign
The State Bar does not have a retired status option; the only voluntary statuses are active, inactive, or resigned. Notification of retirement is not sufficient to change your status. Submission of the Voluntary Resignation Form is required. View more information on voluntary resignation.
To change your name on your licensee record
Submit a Name Change Form to process your name change request. View more information and access the required form.
Obtain a Certificate of Standing
A Certificate of Standing must be ordered online. The State Bar issues a single-page Certificate of Standing to verify alicensee's name, bar number, admission date, current status, any name or status changes, and any public discipline, as of the date of the certificate.
- Certificate of Standing orders are typically sent out within 2–4 business days of receipt of request (regardless of shipping method selected).
- Payment is nonrefundable.
Order a Certificate of Standing and view more information about the types of Certificates of Standing available.
Find more information on how to obtain a California Supreme Court Certificate of Standing.
Fingerprinting rule requirements
Under California Rules of Court,rule 9.9.5, active attorneys licensed in California and multijurisdictional practitioners must be re-fingerprinted by following the instructions posted online. See the full fingerprinting rule requirements.
Legal Specialization
Learn about becoming a certified legal specialist.
Lawyer Assistance Program
The State Bar has a confidential program for attorneys facing substance abuse or mental health issues. The Lawyer Assistance Program is also part of the State Bar's regulatory mission, providing services to lawyers facing disciplinary charges.
Attorney fee arbitration
Find information about mandatory arbitration hearings with clients.
Managing your law office
Register a law corporation or LLP. Find State Bar resources on managing or closing a law practice.
Attorney Census
The State Bar conducts an annualAttorney Censusto gather demographic and employment data from the state’s licensees. The Attorney Census contains questions on demographic characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and veteran’s status. Questions? Visit ourFrequently Asked Questionsabout the Attorney Census.
Questions?
For further questions, please fill out the Licensee Records and Compliance Inquiry form.
Related links
- Attorney Regulation FAQ
- Administrative Fee Increases FAQ
- 2024 Annual Licensing Fees FAQ
- Attorney Census FAQ
- Reporting Requirements
- Attorney Records Forms
- Preview of Client Trust Account Annual Self-Assessment
- Attorney Status Changes
- Certificates of Standing
- Fingerprinting Rule Requirements
- Opening and Managing a Law Office
