When will I receive my license packet?
Should I mail the paper form if I renew online?
How can I update my contact information?
How can I change to a different status?
Am I due to report MCLE this year?
Can I certify my MCLE credits online without starting the online licensing process?
How can I join or renew section memberships?
What are the donations listed along with the license fee?
Do I have to file the professional liability insurance disclosure?
Do I have to file the trust account declaration?
Do I have to renew my judicial license?
Do administrative law judges have to certify MCLE compliance?
How can I report pro bono service hours?
What if I don’t complete my license renewal or MCLE certification?
The deadline is Feb. 1, 2019. The license renewal and MCLE certification (for those who are due to report) must be completed by Feb. 1, 2019. MCLE credits must be completed (if applicable) by Dec. 31, 2018.
Online renewal begins in November.
When will I receive my license packet?
Mid-November. If you haven't received your packet, you may complete your entire renewal online or contact the WSBA Service Center to request a replacement packet. If you signed up for paperless license renewal, you will receive an email reminder instead of a paper packet.
Should I mail the paper form if I renew online?
No. If you renew online or certify MCLE compliance online, please do not mail those forms.
Please see the License Fees webpage.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Credit card: Online or paper form - Please note: Our service provider will charge you a separate, non-refundable transaction fee of 2.5% on all bank card transactions. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express only.
Electronic funds transfer: Online only – no transaction fee
Check: Those who renew online will have the option of printing an invoice to mail in with a check.
How can I update my contact information?
Logon to myWSBA and click "Edit Addresses" or "Edit Contact Information." Or you may update your contact information within the online renewal process.
How can I change to a different status?
Active licensed legal professionals renewing online may change to inactive or request voluntary resignation within the online license renewal process. Active licensed legal professionals using the paper form may change to inactive on page 2 of the form. Review WSBA Bylaw article III, section D.1, regarding transfer from inactive to active.
For information on other changes, visit the Status Changes webpage.
Am I due to report MCLE this year?
If you are in the 2016–2018 reporting period, you will be due to report. Those due to report must complete credits by Dec. 31, 2018, and certify compliance by Feb. 1, 2019. Learn more.
Can I certify my MCLE credits online without starting the online licensing process?
Yes. You can submit your certification directly from your online MCLE roster page after your credits are complete. Follow the instructions on the page to submit your certification.
How can I join or renew section memberships?
You may join or renew your practice sections memberships within the online license renewal process or by submitting the section membership form in your license packet. The section membership year is Jan. 1–Dec. 31.
What are the donations listed along with the license fee?
An optional charitable donation to the Washington State Bar Foundation to help advance justice by supporting the WSBA’s public service and diversity programs. An optional charitable donation to Campaign for Equal Justice to support our state's poorest families and individuals is also listed. You may opt out or donate a different amount to the Bar Foundation and LAW Fund.
Do I have to file the professional liability insurance or financial responsibility disclosure?
All active licensed legal professionals must file this disclosure (Lawyers APR 26, LLLTs APR 28, LPOs APR 12). Visit the Professional Liability Insurance page for more detailed information.
Do I have to file the trust account declaration?
All active licensed legal professionals must file this disclosure regardless of whether they have a trust account (Lawyers ELC 15.5, LLLTs APR 28, LPOs APR 12). Visit the Trust Account FAQs page for more detailed information.
Do I have to renew my judicial license?
Yes, if you who wish to preserve eligibility to transfer to another status upon leaving service as a judicial officer. In that case, you are required to provide annual registry information and pay a $50 annual license fee.
Do administrative law judges have to certify MCLE compliance?
Yes. Administrative law judges must report MCLE credits in the same manner as active licensed legal professionals.
How can I report pro bono service hours?
Lawyers and LLLTs may voluntarily report hours of pro bono publico service as defined in RPC 6.1 (lawyers) and LLLT RPC 6.1 (LLLTs) within the online license renewal process or using the paper renewal form. Learn about pro bono service opportunities.
You may complete the other portions of your renewal early and report your service hours online at the end of the year.
If you contributed 50 or more hours, you will receive commendation in NWLawyer and the WSBA website unless you check the box stating that you prefer to remain anonymous.
What if I don’t complete my license renewal or MCLE certification?
Failure to comply with licensing requirements may result in a Supreme Court order of suspension (Washington Supreme Court Admission and Practice Rule 17).
