Membership Status Changes

Status changes are granted in accordance with the provisions of the WSBA Bylaws. Members should review Article II of the WSBA Bylaws and stay apprised of any changes to the Bylaws, as changes in the Bylaws can affect status change requirements.

Please follow the instructions as provided below for the status change that you are requesting. Please note that the following is general information only; there may be additional requirements.

All questions and inquiries about status changes may be directed to statuschanges@wsba.org; or call the WSBA service center at 1-800-945-9722 or 206-443-9722 and ask for status changes.

To Active

To Active from Inactive, Judicial or Emeritus Status:
An Inactive, Judicial or Emeritus member to return to Active status must be current on MCLE requirements, annual licensing fees, and all conditions set forth in the WSBA Bylaws and the Admission to Practice Rules (APR). In order to determine eligibility and requirements to return to Active status, submit a Request for Application to Active Status form with the required non-refundable $100 status change investigation fee. Following receipt and processing of the required fee and request form, we will provide a status change application packet. This packet will contain specific and individual requirements to change status to Active and will include all of the necessary forms.

Because the requirements for each particular status change are based on the facts of the individual member's situation and requires investigation of that member's records, the WSBA cannot assess or discuss specific requirements prior to receiving the Request for Application to Active Status form and the investigation fee.

All status changes to Active require a review of the information for possible character and fitness issues, and it is possible that a character and fitness investigation and/or hearing could be required if warranted by the available information.

Print and complete the Request for Application to Active Status form and submit with the $100 fee. (This form for members currently Inactive, Judicial or Emeritus only.)

You may request a form from the WSBA by emailing statuschanges@wsba.org or by contacting the WSBA Service Center at 206-443-9722 or 800-945-9722.

Processing times for status changes to Active vary greatly depending on each individual situation and time of year.

Please see the To Active FAQ for additional information.

Status changes are not effective until confirmed in writing by the WSBA.

To Active from Honorary:
To return to Active status, you must be current on MCLE requirements, annual licensing fees, and all conditions set forth in the WSBA Bylaws and the Admission to Practice Rules (APR).

Print, complete and submit the Request for Application to Active Status from Honorary form.

You may request a form from the WSBA by e-mailing statuschanges@wsba.org or by contacting the WSBA Service Center at 206-443-9722 or 800-945-9722.

To Active from Suspended:
To return to Active status, you must be current on MCLE requirements, annual licensing fees, and all conditions set forth in the WSBA Bylaws and the Admission to Practice Rules (APR). In addition, you must cure the reason for your suspension and meet any other terms of the suspension order.

Print, complete and submit the Request for Application to Active Status from Suspended form.

You may request a form from the WSBA by emailing statuschanges@wsba.org or by contacting the WSBA Service Center at 206-443-9722 or 800-945-9722.

To Inactive

Active, Emeritus and Judicial members may apply for Inactive status by completing and filing the Application for Change of Membership Status to Inactive. Before applying for Inactive status, members should read and be familiar with WSBA Bylaws Art. II. Please read the Inactive Status FAQs for important information about Inactive status. Applications for Inactive status are generally confirmed within one week of receipt of the application, provided the member is eligible and everything is in order.

To Inactive from Suspended

Suspended members may apply for Inactive status by completing and filing the Application for Change of Membership Status from Suspended to Inactive. To be reinstated to Inactive status, a member must be current on annual licensing fees and all conditions set forth in the WSBA Bylaws and the APR. In addition, the members must cure the reason for the suspension and meet any other terms of the suspension order.

Please read the Inactive Status FAQs for important information about Inactive status. Processing times for reinstatements from suspension to Inactive vary greatly depending on each individual situation. Expect 2-4 weeks on average.

To Judicial

An active member may request Judicial status by sending a letter on the member's judicial letterhead to the WSBA to the attention of Special Admissions if they fall within one of the categories set forth in WSBA Bylaws Art. II:

A judge or former judge of the courts of record in the State of Washington, or the courts of the United States;
A full-time or former full-time judge in the district or municipal courts in the State of Washington;
A full-time or former full-time commissioner or magistrate in the courts of record or in the district or municipal courts in the State of Washington, or in the courts of the United States;
A full-time administrative law judge in the State of Washington; or
A full-time Tribal Court judge in the State of Washington.

Judicial members are deemed inactive members and shall not engage in the practice of law. Judicial members are not required to pay the annual membership fee required of inactive members. Applications for Judicial status are generally confirmed within one week of receipt of the application, provided the member is eligible and everything is in order.

To Honorary

A member who has been admitted to the WSBA for 50 years or more may apply for Honorary status by completing and filing the Application for Change of Membership Status to Honorary. Honorary members are inactive members but are not required to pay any fees. Applications for Honorary status are generally confirmed within one week of receipt of the application, provided the member is eligible and everything is in order.

To Emeritus

Please click here for information about Emeritus membership.

Resignation

Members may request to resign their membership by completing and filing the Resignation of Membership Form. Once resigned, a member may not practice law and must reapply for membership and re-take the bar exam in order to return to the practice of law. A member with discipline pending may resign only as set forth in the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct. Applications to Resign are generally confirmed within one week of receipt of the application, provided the member is eligible and everything is in order. See WSBA Bylaws Art. II.