California Rule of Court Requires Active Attorneys and Multijurisdictional Practitioners to be Re-Fingerprinted

On May 23, 2018, the Supreme Court issued the California Rule of Court, rule 9.9.5, requiring the re-fingerprinting of most active attorneys licensed in California, effective June 1, 2018. In-state attorneys must follow the instructions below (as listed by the State Bar website):

1.       Fingerprints Need to Be Taken by a Live Scan Vendor

2.       View and Print Prepopulated Live Scan Form

3.       Live Scan Vendors in California and Related Fees

4.       Automated Transaction Identifier Number

5.       Proof of Live Scan Submission

6.       Resubmit Fingerprints When Notified of a Rejection

7.       Return to Fingerprinting Rule Requirements Menu

8.       Return to My State Bar Profile

The State Bar of California states that this is done to ensure the State Bar is in compliance with Business and Professions Code Section 6054, which requires the State Bar to receive notifications of attorney arrests and convictions from the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Even if attorneys were fingerprinted at the time of admission to the State Bar, neither the State Bar nor the DOJ has retained those fingerprints for future notification services.

The deadline to submit proof of fingerprints without penalty is April 30, 2019. For any other questions or additional information, please refer to the State Bar of California’s website: <http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Attorney-Regulation/Fingerprinting-Rule-Requirements>