How to Become a Certified Law Clerk in California
Career & Professional Development Office
The State Bar of California's Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program certifies law students to provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney.
NOTE: Students interested in the PTLS program should read the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students and all instructions for certification at the following website:
www.calbar.ca.gov – click on Admissions Special Admissions Practical Training of Law Students
An applicant intending to file a PTLS application must first be registered as a law student with the State Bar of California Office of Admissions. The cost to register is currently $119.00, but is subject to change.
To apply for PTLS certification, new applicants must submit the following: 1. Student Application 2. Declaration by Supervising Attorney 3. Declaration by Dean of Law School 4. $55 non-refundable application fee, made payable to the State Bar of California
All four items must be submitted together. Any documents received separately will be returned according to the instructions on The State Bar of California’s website.
For additional assistance, send an email to [email protected] or call 415-538-2117.
350 Cedar Street, 2nd Floor │ San Diego, CA 92101 │ (619) 525 – 7087│www.cwsl.edu/career Courtney Miklusak, Esq., Assistant Dean Matthew Lab, Esq., Director, Access to Law Initiative (ALI) & Professional Development Jocelyn Salvatori, Esq., Associate Director – Noelle Dorman, Assistant Director, Projects & Employer Development – Drew Lautemann, Esq., Assistant Director, Pro Bono & Public Service Robin Lake, Esq., Graduate Career Advisor – Heidi Weaver, Esq., Career Advisor Efa Akutekha, Department Coordinator – Riley Davis, Administrative Assistant
Revised August 2017 All of the mentioned forms and further information about becoming a certified law clerk can be found on the State Bar of California’s website: www.calbar.ca.gov. For additional assistance, send an email to [email protected] or call 415-538-2117.
PLEASE NOTE: You will receive a reply by email (sent in care of your supervising attorney) within one month of the date the State Bar receives a complete and accurate application. If the application is not completed accurately, it will be returned to you. Retain a copy of your application and rules governing the PTLS program. Rule 9.42 - CA Rules of Court Certified Law Students – available to download online from website Credit Card form – available to download online from website Fee Information – available to download online from website
Draft Consent form – available to download online from website
Frequently Asked Questions
1. WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A CERTIFIED STUDENT? A student must have completed one full year of law school (270 hours) at an American Bar Association- (ABA) or State Bar of California-accredited law school or passed the First Year Law Student’s Exam (FYLSE). The student must also be enrolled in or have completed Evidence and Civil Procedure courses.
2. WHAT ACTIVITIES MAY A CERTIFIED STUDENT PERFORM? Under conditions outlined in the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students, certified students may negotiate, give legal advice, appear at depositions, appear in litigation and other proceedings and appear in prosecution of lesser criminal offenses.
3. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS MY APPLICATION? Applications are processed on a first-come basis. Usually, the student and supervising attorney receive a response approximately three weeks after the State Bar's receipt of a complete application.
4. WHAT TITLE IS A CERTIFIED STUDENT ALLOWED TO USE? A certified student may only use the title 'Certified Student' for activities performed under the PTLS program. When the certified student's name appears in written materials prepared under the PTLS program, the written materials must also contain the name of the supervising attorney, his/her role as a supervising attorney and state that the student is a certified student of the PTLS program.
5. HOW LONG DOES MY CERTIFICATION LAST? A student's certification begins on the date indicated on the Notice of Certification and remains in effect for the period specified on the Notice. The student's certification terminates sooner than the date referenced on the Notice of Certification if any of the following circumstances occur: The State Bar receives notice from the student requesting termination The State Bar determines that the student no longer meets the certification requirements The student fails to take, or does not pass, the first General Bar Examination for which he or she is eligible. If the student takes the first General Bar Examination for which she or he is eligible, certification is extended until the exam results are released (assuming all other certification requirements continue to be met) The State Bar revokes certification
6. WHEN AM I REQUIRED TO FILE FOR RECERTIFICATION? The student must file a recertification with the State Bar if he/she changes his/her information, including name of employer, name of supervising attorney, address, etc.
7. WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED IN ORDER TO APPEAR IN COURT? The Notice of Certification/Recertification issued by The State Bar of California and any other information requested by the court.
8. CAN A CERTIFIED STUDENT APPEAR IN A FEDERAL COURT? No. Rule 9.43 of the California Supreme Court and the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students only authorize California state court appearances. Federal appearances are governed by federal law.
9. CAN I PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN MY SUPERVISING ATTORNEY? A certified student must work under the supervision of a supervising attorney. Government agencies may designate an attorney in place of the supervising attorney, but the supervising attorney must still provide general supervision.
10. CAN I BECOME A CERTIFIED STUDENT AFTER I GRADUATE FROM LAW SCHOOL? IF SO, HOW LONG DOES MY CERTIFICATION LAST? Yes, a student may be certified after graduating from law school as long as the student takes the first General Bar Examination. If the student fails his/her first eligible Bar Exam, certification ends on the date of notice. If the student passes the first eligible Bar Exam, the certification extends to 30 days after date of notice.
11. CAN I BECOME CERTIFIED AFTER I PASS THE BAR EXAM AND WHILE I AM AWAITING MY MORAL CHARACTER DETERMINATION? No.