The State Bar seeks public comment on proposed revisions to State Bar rules regarding the Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program to increase eligibility and decrease barriers to participation.
Deadline: August 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (60 days)
Comments should be submitted using the online Public Comment Form. The online form allows you to input your comments directly and can also be used to upload your comment letter and/or other attachments.
The PTLS Program allows certified law students, supervised by an attorney, to provide specified legal services. Proposed rule changes would extend eligibility to Law Office Study (LOS) and LL.M. students. These revisions were circulated for public comment in 2022 and 2023 and approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) and Board of Trustees. In July 2023, the revised rules were submitted to the California Supreme Court. The Court denied the proposal on September 20, 2023, and directed the CBE to reconsider the revisions.
As part of its broader review of Admissions rules and applicant-facing materials, the CBE evaluated the PTLS Program, which allows certified law students to provide legal services under attorney supervision. The program strengthens legal training through hands-on experience while protecting clients through oversight. Recognizing its value, the proposed rule changes extend eligibility to LOS and LL.M. students.
The proposal also removes the requirement that PTLS students complete or be enrolled in evidence and civil procedure, aligning California with most other states. In practice, students often begin PTLS work while starting those courses. Additional changes clarify application and participation procedures and provide clearer guidance to students and supervisors. The program would also be renamed the Certified Law Student Program to align with the Rules of Court.
In its 2023 denial, the Court raised concerns about potential conflicts for LOS students studying under a judge while participating in PTLS. To address this, the proposal prohibits concurrent participation in both programs in such cases.
These rules were recommended for circulation by the CBE and approved by the Board of Trustees. While initially presented with LOS rule updates, this request only seeks input on the Rules of the State Bar related to the PTLS Program. LOS changes are circulating separately.
If adopted, these proposals are expected to result in a manageable increase in PTLS applications. The added workload can be absorbed by current resources, with potential application revenue available to support additional needs. The rule changes will also require updates to the Admissions Information Management System, involving moderate IT effort to revise text, automate functions, and adjust logic. The impact on Strategic Communications will be minor, limited to updating the State Bar’s public website.
Board of Trustees
August 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Proposed Rule Revisions Regarding the Practical Training of Law Students