Frequently Asked Questions about Licensing Renewal
When is the deadline?
When can I renew online?
I did not sign up for paperless—will licensing forms be mailed to me?
Why is license renewal paperless?
To which address should checks be sent?
How much is my license fee?
Which payment methods do you accept?
How can I update my contact information?
How can I change to a different status?
Am I due to certify MCLE this year?
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 or provide financial responsibility information?
Do I have to file the trust account declaration?
Do I have to renew my judicial license?
How can I report pro bono service hours?
What if I don’t complete my license renewal?
The deadline is Feb. 3, 2025.
Online renewal begins in November.
I did not sign up for paperless—will licensing forms be mailed to me?
No. License renewal is now paperless (online only). If you prefer to pay by check (rather than credit card or electronic funds transfer) you may print an invoice online to mail in with a check. Certifications must be done online.
Why is license renewal paperless?
The change to universal online license renewal is being made for a variety of reasons including improving the efficiency in how the WSBA serves its members and decreasing the WSBA’s environmental footprint. The WSBA’s online payment system has recently been upgraded and is, therefore, the most secure way to make payments to the WSBA.
To which address should checks be sent?
Checks should made payable to WSBA and sent to: WSBA, LB 1035, PO Box 35143, Seattle, WA 98124-5143.
Please see the License Fees webpage.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Credit card: Accepted online only for your security. 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. Do not send credit card information via mail, fax, or email.
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?
Login 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 may change to inactive or request voluntary resignation within the online license renewal process. 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 certify MCLE this year?
If you are in the 2022-2024 reporting period you will be due to certify. Those due to certify must complete credits by Dec. 31, 2024, and certify compliance by Feb. 3, 2025. Learn more.
How can I join or renew section memberships?
You may join or renew your practice sections memberships within the online license renewal process. The section membership year is Jan. 1–Dec. 31.
What are the donations listed along with the license fee?
One is an optional charitable donation to the Washington State Bar Foundation to champion justice through support of WSBA’s pro bono and public service, and diversity equity and inclusion programs. An optional charitable donation to Campaign for Equal Justice to support 50+ civil legal aid programs serving families experiencing poverty is also listed. You may opt out or donate a different amount.
All active lawyers must make a professional liability insurance disclosure (APR 26). All LLLTs and LPOs must provide financial responsibility information (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.
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. 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 be added to the Pro Bono Publico Honor Roll list. Pro Bono Publico Honor Roll members receive commendation in the Washington State Bar News, WSBA website, and Washington State Supreme Court website unless you mark that you prefer to remain anonymous.
What if I don’t complete my license renewal?
Failure to comply with licensing requirements may result in a Supreme Court order of suspension (Washington Supreme Court Admission and Practice Rule 17).
