Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law

APPLY TO BECOME A CERTIFIED SPECIALIST

Certification is a two part process, and the parts can be completed in any order:

Part One: 

1.  Register for the legal specialist examination on October 22, 2013 in Pasadena or South San Francisco. The application deadline is September 10, 2013 or until a particular test center's spaces are full.  Late applications may be accepted after that date with the appropriate late fee until October 15, 2013 if space is available. 

2. Access a free Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Examination Preparation Packet including key facts about examination logistics, the topics that can be tested on the examination, and all released essay questions.  No multiple-choice questions are released.  If you wish to take a preparation course, scroll below to see if the Department of Legal Specialization is aware of a course being offered in this area of law.

Part Two:

1. Started practicing after January 2012?  You'll be eligible to register for the examination in 2015, but you can still work on the other requirements now.  Use a Sample Post-Examination Application or the program rules listed below to track your experience, education and references.  You can fulfill these requirements before and/or after you take the examination.  

Prep Courses

The following preparation courses are available:

 June 14, 2013 - The Trusts & Estates Section of the State Bar of California will offer a preparation class.

CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar) will also offer a multi-session/multi-media course that can be started as early as June 1, 2013.

Estate and Trust Education Resources also offers a review course.

Note: The Department of Legal Specialization is not affiliated with this preparation class or any commercial preparation class and derives no financial benefit from any educational provider. The Department provides this information solely for your convenience. 

Rules and Standards

The Standards for Certification in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law (revised effective 5/16/08)

The standards must be read in conjunction with the Rules Governing the State Bar of California Program for Certifying Legal Specialists, which govern the program requirements.

Testing Accommodations

Click here to access the application for testing accommodations for qualified individuals during the examination.  Note that you must also still register for the examination using the form above and in accordance with the standard deadlines for registration.

CURRENT CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS

 RECERTIFICATION: Applications are due every year after your initial certification date. Please click here to download a Recertification Application.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE WHO PASSED THE 2011 LEGAL SPECIALIST EXAMINATION

Passing the examination is the first step in the certification process.  Post Examination Applications were due on April 25, 2013.  If you need an extension for good cause shown, such as completing five years' experience in your area of legal specialty, please draft a letter to the California Board of Legal Specialization at 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 or e-mail the letter to legalspec@calbar.ca.gov.

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the Department of Legal Specialization at legalspec@calbar.ca.gov or at 415-538-2120. If speech- or hearing-impaired, call 711 for telecommunications relay services.