To Active from Suspension Information

General Requirements for Reinstating to Active Membership from Suspension

Reinstatements from suspension are granted in accordance with the provisions of the WSBA Bylaws.  Members should review Article III of the WSBA Bylaws as changes in the Bylaws can affect membership change requirements. Some key provisions to consider are:

  • Suspended members are not required to earn or report MCLE credits while suspended, but may choose to do so, and will be required to do so to return to Active membership.
  • Members who have been Inactive and/or Suspended for a combined total of less than six consecutive years will be required to have earned 45 MCLE credits within six years prior to the return to Active date.
  • Members who have been Inactive and/or Suspended for greater than a combined total of six consecutive years must earn 45 MCLE credits within three years prior to the return to Active date and, in addition, complete 15 hours of live reinstatement courses sponsored by the WSBA and specifically approved for this purpose.  The reinstatement course credits will apply to the member’s next reporting period.
  • For purposes of determining whether a member has been Inactive and/or Suspended for more than six consecutive years, the time continues to run until the change to Active membership is completed, regardless of when the application is submitted to the WSBA.
  • If a member has been Inactive and/or Suspended for less than one year, and the member is in an MCLE reporting group that was required to report during the time the member was Inactive and/or Suspended, the member must establish compliance with the MCLE reporting requirements for that reporting period before changing to Active.
  • Suspended members must cure the reason for the suspension. For those suspended for failing to pay the annual license fee, that includes paying double the license and late fees for the year of the suspension.
  • Suspended members must pay a non-refundable $100 fee and submit a Request for Application to Active form. Upon receipt, an application packet with the member’s detailed requirements for returning to Active will be provided to the member.
  • The Bar exam may be required in unusual cases, e.g., an unusually long period of time as a suspended member without any activity in Washington or another state that qualifies as “active legal experience” (as defined in APR 3(b)(iii)) during that time.

Reinstatement Course

Information and registration for the required reinstatement/readmission course for those away from active membership for more than six years, or who resigned less than four years ago, is available online at the CLE Store.