Updated: May 15, 2024

Rules and Regulations

The WSBA administers the admission and licensing of Washington licensed legal professionals on behalf of, and under the Admission and Practice Rules (APR) adopted by, the Washington Supreme Court. 

The WSBA Board of Governors adopts Admission Policies consistent with the Washington Supreme Court's APR.

The WSBA Application Instructions inform lawyer applicants about the procedures for applying for admission based on the Washington Supreme Court Admission and Practice Rules (APR) and admissions policies. 

  • Lawyer applications and admissions are governed by APR 1-5, 13.
  • Limited License Legal Technicians (LLLT) applications and admissions are governed by APR 1-5, 13, 28.
  • Limited Practice Officers (LPO) applications and admissions are governed by APR 1-5, 12-13
  • The Law Clerk Program is governed by APR 6
  • Rule 9 Licensed Legal Interns are governed by APR 9
  • Character and fitness requirements and proceedings are governed by APR 20-24.3.

Washington Professional Responsibility Duties are set forth in the following Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Washington Supreme Court:

WSBA Bylaws relate to some aspects of administration of the licenses to practice law.


Any discrepancy or conflict between the information provided here and the rules and regulations set by the Washington State Supreme Court, or the bylaws and policies of the Washington State Bar Association, is unintentional and will be resolved in favor of strict compliance with the rules, regulations, bylaws and policies.