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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
supreme court; attorney licensing
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Supreme Court to license attorneys in Arizona and adopt rules for licensing attorneys and prohibits the Arizona Supreme Court from requiring an attorney to be a member of any organization to become or remain a licensed attorney in Arizona.
Background
Persons desiring to be admitted to the practice of law in Arizona may apply for admission by one of three methods: 1) admission by the Arizona Uniform Bar Examination; 2) admission on motion; or 3) admission by transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination score from another jurisdiction. A person must also submit an application to the Committee on Character and Fitness (Committee) in the form supplied by the Committee, accompanied by other supporting documents, including evidence that the person is a graduate with a juris doctorate. In order to be recommended for admission, the Committee must be satisfied that that the applicant: 1) is at least 21 years old; 2) is of good moral character; 3) is mentally, emotionally and physically able to engage in the practice of law and possesses the knowledge to do so; 4) is a graduate with a juris doctorate from a school approved by the American Bar Association; 5) is in good standing with any other jurisdiction in which the person has been admitted to practice; and 6) has successfully completed the specified course on Arizona law (Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 34)
The Arizona Supreme Court has jurisdiction over any person or entity engaged in the authorized or unauthorized practice of law in Arizona and maintains under its direction and control a corporate organization known as the State Bar of Arizona (SBA). Every person licensed by the Arizona Supreme Court to engage in the practice of law must be a member of the SBA in accordance with the Arizona Supreme Court Rules. The Arizona Supreme Court empowers the SBA, under the Arizona Supreme Court's supervision, to: 1) organize and promote activities that fulfill the responsibilities of the legal profession and its members to the public; 2) promote access to justice for those who live, work, and do business in Arizona; 3) aid the courts in the administration of justice; 4) assist the Arizona Supreme Court with the regulation and discipline of persons engaged in the practice of law and assist the Arizona Supreme Court with the regulation and discipline of alternative business structures and legal paraprofessionals; and 5) conduct educational programs regarding substantive law, best practices, procedure and ethics and report its recommendations to the Arizona Supreme Court concerning these subjects (Sup. Ct. Rules, Rule 31 and 32).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Arizona Supreme Court to license attorneys for the practice of law in Arizona.
2. Requires the Arizona Supreme Court to adopt rules to carry out the licensing of attorneys, including:
a) minimum qualifications for licensure;
b) testing requirements;
c) requiring a background investigation before obtaining a license;
d) disciplining attorneys; and
e) disbarring attorneys.
3. Prohibits the Arizona Supreme Court from requiring an attorney to be a member of any organization to become or remain a licensed attorney in Arizona.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 16, 2026
ZD/MY/ci