BECOMING A CERTIFIED SPECIALIST

The first step in becoming a certified specialist is to take the one-day legal specialization certification exam held:

The certification process consists of an exam (given every two years) plus a post-exam application detailing the candidate's completion of required tasks, experience and education, as well as recommendations.

Applicants practicing in the specialty area at least three years may be eligible to sit for the exam provided the task and experience requirements will be met within 18 months following the exam.

Applicants may begin tracking Applicants practicing in the specialty area less than three years may request a Sample Post-Exam Application to begin monitoring compliance with the Program Rules and Standards at LegalSpec@calbar.ca.gov. Compiling education certificates of attendance [must be within three years of the date of certificiation application] and completion of required tasks in area of specialty will help track progress.

To be eligible for certification, an attorney must generally:

1. Be an active member of The State Bar of California
   • Workers' Compensation Law applicants also must be in good standing before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
   • Immigration and Nationality Law applicants also must meet the definition of "attorney" as set forth in 8 CFR 1.1(f) and shall not be under order of suspension or disbarment by the Board of Immigration Appeals
   • Bankruptcy Law applicants must also be admitted and in good standing before at least one United States District Court within the State of California
2. Have been engaged in the practice of law in the area in which certification is sought for a minimum of 25 percent of the time the attorney has spent in occupational endeavors during each of the previous five years
3. Pass a written exam (or meet alternative certification requirements in the areas of Admiralty & Maritime Law and Legal Malpractice Law)
4. Demonstrate a high level of experience in the specialty field by meeting specific task and experience requirements as listed in the Standards
5. Complete at least 45 hours of continuing education in the specialty field or a closely related field
6. Be favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges who are familiar with the tasks upon which the applicant has relied to satisfy the task requirement

Specific Requirements by Certified Specialty Area

Please review the general program rules and specific specialty standards (below) to view the requirements for certification in your specialty. You can also request a tailored information packet for any one of the 11 practice areas at legalspec@calbar.ca.gov.

• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Appellate Law (Civil or Criminal)
• Bankruptcy Law
• Criminal Law (Federal or State)
• Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law
• Family Law
• Franchise and Distribution Law
• Immigration and Nationality Law
• Legal Malpractice Law
• Taxation Law
• Workers' Compensation Law

Once certification has been granted, all certified specialists must re-certify every five years. Although taking the exam again is not required, there are reasonable recertification requirements that are detailed in the standards for each area of law.

Fees (Effective Jan. 1, 2012)

The Legal Specialization Program is nonprofit and completely self-funded by fees collected from applicants, specialists, education providers and accredited organizations. All fees collected directly support the work of the program.