Central District of California (C.D. Cal.)

Circuit 9 · Home-state bar only Verified

Common questions

Who can be admitted to the bar of the Central District of California (C.D. Cal.)?

California State Bar (L.R. 83-2.1.2). Rule: L.R. 83-2.1.2.2.

What is the admission fee for the Central District of California (C.D. Cal.)?

$281 if admitted to the California bar fewer than 3 years; $331 if 3 or more years (General Order 25-05, Oct. 17, 2025). Payment: paying the required fee by credit or debit card at the time of submission.

Does the Central District of California (C.D. Cal.) allow pro hac vice admission, and what does it cost?

Pro hac vice available: yes. Local counsel: Must designate Local Counsel who is a member of the Bar of this Court and maintains an office within the District where physically present on a regular basis. Fee: $450 per case (General Order 25-05, Oct. 17, 2025; reduced from $500).

General admission

Who qualifies: California State Bar (L.R. 83-2.1.2)
Rule: L.R. 83-2.1.2.2
Oath: Signed Oath of Attorney required; in-person swearing-in by a judge not required
Swearing-in: Not necessary to be sworn in by a judge; submission online of signed Application with Oath is all that is required
Fee: $281 if admitted to the California bar fewer than 3 years; $331 if 3 or more years (General Order 25-05, Oct. 17, 2025)
Fee payment: paying the required fee by credit or debit card at the time of submission

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Sponsor: Not in the pulled documents
Exam or course: Not in the pulled documents
Good standing cert.: Not in the pulled documents
Certificate age: Not in the pulled documents
Apply: Not in the pulled documents

Pro hac vice

Available: yes
Who qualifies: An attorney who is not a member of the State Bar of California who is a member in good standing eligible to practice before the bar of any U.S. Court or highest court of any State, Territory or Insular Possession, is of good moral character, has been retained, and is not disqualified
Rule: L.R. 83-2.1.3
Local counsel: Must designate Local Counsel who is a member of the Bar of this Court and maintains an office within the District where physically present on a regular basis
Residency limits: Not eligible if resides in California, is regularly employed in California, or is regularly engaged in business, professional or other similar activities in California
Fee: $450 per case (General Order 25-05, Oct. 17, 2025; reduced from $500)

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Limits: Not in the pulled documents
Certifications: Not in the pulled documents
Fee covers: Not in the pulled documents
Form: Not in the pulled documents
E-filing: Not in the pulled documents

Ongoing and other

Renewal: Annual renewal fee of $25 due on September 1 of each year for attorneys admitted before September 1 of the prior year
Rules dated: 6/1/2026

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CLE or course: Not in the pulled documents
Bankruptcy court: Not in the pulled documents
Pending changes: Not in the pulled documents

Checked against the rule text

(L.R. 83-2.1.3.1-.3, rules eff. 6/1/2026): PHV "An attorney who is not a member of the State Bar of California may apply ... if the attorney: (a) is a member in good standing of, and eligible to practice before, the bar of any United States Court, or of the highest court of any State, Territory, or Insular Possession"; (b) good moral character; (c) retained. L.R. 83-2.1.3.2: ineligible if applicant "(a) resides in California; (b) is regularly employed in California; or (c) is regularly engaged in business, professional, or other similar activities in California." Application filed by Local Counsel with certificate of good standing from each state bar issued no more than 30 days before filing; fee set by General Order (none for federal government attorneys). Source: cacd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2026-June-LRs-Chap-1.pdf

Language from the source documents

12 quoted passages

Who qualifies

Admission to and continuing membership in the Bar of this Court are limited to persons of good moral character who are active members in good standing of the State Bar of California.

cacd.uscourts.gov

Admission rule

L.R. 83-2.1.2.2 Admission to the Bar of this Court.

cacd.uscourts.gov

Oath

It is not necessary to be sworn in by a judge of this Court in order to be admitted to the Bar of this Court.

cacd.uscourts.gov

Pro hac vice: who qualifies

An attorney who is not a member of the State Bar of California may apply for permission to appear pro hac vice in a particular case in this Court if the attorney:

cacd.uscourts.gov

Pro hac vice rule

L.R. 83-2.1.3.1 Who May Apply for Permission to Practice Pro Hac Vice

cacd.uscourts.gov

Local counsel

Every attorney seeking to appear pro hac vice must designate as Local Counsel an attorney with whom the Court and opposing counsel may readily communicate regarding the conduct of the case and upon whom documents may be served.

cacd.uscourts.gov

Residency limits

(a) resides in California; (b) is regularly employed in California; or (c) is regularly engaged in business, professional, or other similar activities in California.

cacd.uscourts.gov

Renewal

Beginning in 2020, this annual renewal fee of $25 is due on September 1 of each year for all attorneys admitted to the Court’s bar before September 1 of the prior year.

cacd.uscourts.gov

Rules effective