A positive moral character determination is a requirement for admission to the practice of law in California.
Law students are encouraged to submit a moral character application no later than the beginning of their last year of law study. Applicants should expect the review process to take a minimum of six to eight months, and it may take longer. Early submission increases the likelihood that the process will be completed before the applicant receives their bar exam result.
An online application or hard copy application may be submitted any time after the applicant registers with the State Bar as a law student or attorney applicant. The registration application is available in the Applicant Portal or upon request from the Office of Admissions.
Please thoroughly read the Instructions for Application for Determination of Moral Character before starting an application. There are special instructions for out-of-state attorneys, applicants for the Multijurisdictional Practice Program, and applicants for the Registered Foreign Legal Consultant Program.
The moral character application is a compilation of many details of the applicant’s life.
It is important to be truthful on the application. The State Bar and the Committee of Bar Examiners consider candor to be a significant factor in determining whether an applicant has the good moral character required for admission to practice law.
State Bar staff review the application and contact the applicant if it is incomplete or further information is required. A complete application is reviewed to determine if the applicant has the requisite good moral character for admission. “Good moral character” includes but is not limited to qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibility, respect for and obedience to the law, and respect for the rights of others and the judicial process. (Rules of the State Bar, rule 4.40.)
Applications typically are processed in a minimum of six to eight months from the date of submission, and the process may take longer. To check the status of your application, log in to the Applicant Portal.
Applicants are responsible for being aware of moral character requirements, reading and understanding the application instructions, and timely complying with requests for further information.
Applicants are required to update their application no later than 30 days after information in the application has changed or there is new information relevant to the application. (Rules of the State Bar, rule 4.42.) An applicant will not be eligible for certification to the California Supreme Court if their application is not current. An applicant who receives a positive moral character determination must complete a questionnaire 18 months after the determination in order to ensure their application remains current. (Rules of the State Bar, rule 4.50(C).) All updates and supporting documentation must be uploaded via the Applicant Portal.
For questions related to a moral character application, contact the Office of Admissions at moral.character@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2450.
Moral Character