Membership Class Changes

Membership class changes must be made in writing, either via the dues statement mailed annually in June or by filling out a blank dues statement (PDF). Some changes require extra documentation with the request:

Classes Summary Description*
Active Practicing lawyers that represent clients in Virginia
Associate Non-practicing lawyers, such as law professors or lobbyists
Emeritus Experienced lawyers practicing only pro bono
Judicial Virginia judges and other qualified officers of the court
Retired 70+ in age and not practicing law in Virginia
Disabled Disabled lawyers not practicing law in Virginia
*see classes of membership as fully defined by the rules

Limited Admission

Corporate Counsel

Corporate Counsel are lawyers that provide legal advice to a for-profit or a non-profit corporation, association, or other business entity. Learn more about the options and about registering as corporate counsel in Virginia. 

Foreign Legal Consultants

This is a person admitted to practice law by the professional body or governmental authority of a foreign nation. Read the rule and apply with the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners.

Military Attorneys and Spouses

A military lawyer or military spouse may apply to the Board of Bar Examiners for a certificate to practice law. Read the rules about military lawyers and the military spouse provision. Virginia CLE sponsors a military spouse provisional admission course.

Pro Hac Vice

This rule allows an attorney from another jurisdiction to appear as counsel in a particular case. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Membership Class Changes and Limited Admission

NOTE: Thorough consideration should be given before changing from Active or Emeritus status to any other membership class as defined in Paragraph 3 of Section IV, Part Six, Rules of Virginia Supreme Court. Contact the Regulatory Compliance Department to discuss the implications of changing your status.

I am not actively practicing law in Virginia. What are my options?

Change your class to Associate. If you are not actively practicing Virginia law, you may consider changing your class to Associate. Associate lawyers pay annual license renewal fees equal to half that of Active lawyers and have no Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements. Any outstanding MCLE requirements will be deferred until such time as you may wish to return to Active in the future. See MCLE Regulation 111(c).

Change your class to Retired. You must be 70 years old or older to change your class to Retired. There are no dues or fees with this status and there are no MCLE requirements. 

Resign. You may resign from the bar; however, resignation is a decision that should be made only after serious consideration is given to the ramifications and after a review of your options. See the applicable rules of court in the Application for Resignation (pdf).

What’s the difference between Retired and Emeritus?

For one, emeritus lawyers needn’t be 70 years old. But they must have practiced law for 20 years or more. When you transition to emeritus class with the bar, you practice only pro bono in your retirement. You pay no fees and have access to free CLEs through Virginia CLE. Rules changed in 2018 to allow lawyers to do this more easily. See if you qualify and start the transition at any time.

How do I return to Active class from Associate class?

To return to Active class you must submit a written request via the dues statement and pay the Active fee (or the difference between the Associate and Active fee if you have already paid the Associate fee for the year), the Clients’ Protection Fund fee, the Attorney Wellness Fund fee, and certify your Professional Liability. You must also complete your MCLE obligations (see next question) before your class can be changed. The Professional Liability certification is on the annual dues statement or can be downloaded separately.

What are the MCLE obligations to return to Active class?

To activate or re-activate your class with the bar you must satisfy any outstanding MCLE obligations from prior years when you were last active (see MCLE Regulation 111(c) and Paragraph 19), including any outstanding MCLE delinquency fee obligations. You must also complete the current CLE year requirement of 12 hours out of which 2 must be in ethics and 4 must be from live-interactive programs. Hours for the current year must have been completed within 12 months of your membership class change request. Contact the MCLE office at (804) 775-0577 or [email protected] to determine your specific MCLE obligations.

How do I get a third-year practice certificate?

The dean of your law school must submit a letter to the Virginia State Bar certifying that you have completed all the necessary requirements as outlined in the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court, Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 15. Please review the rules and the sample request letter (Word doc). Contact the Membership office at (804) 775-0530 or [email protected] with questions. 

How do I change my name?

The Virginia State Bar cannot change your name until it has been changed with the Supreme Court of Virginia, if you have qualified before the court – or, with the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, if you have not been licensed. When you change it with the appropriate agency, they will send us a name change order and we will change it in the Virginia State Bar database automatically. To change it with the Supreme Court of Virginia, please contact them at (804) 786-2251 or download their attorney name change form. To change your name with the Board of Bar Examiners please contact them at (804) 367-0412.