Texas Attorney License Verification: Check Status, Discipline and Annual Compliance
Use this guide to verify whether a Texas attorney appears in the State Bar of Texas directory, confirm the correct lawyer by bar card number, review eligibility and public disciplinary history, and understand the annual dues and MCLE steps that affect an attorney’s ability to remain eligible to practice.
Texas does not use a simple consumer-style “license renewal” every year. The Supreme Court of Texas issues the attorney license, while ongoing eligibility is tied to State Bar membership requirements, annual dues and fees, MCLE compliance, profile updates and the absence of a suspension or other ineligible status.
Quick Answer: How to Verify a Texas Attorney License Online
Use the State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer directory for a public attorney lookup. Search by the lawyer’s name, law firm or advanced criteria, then open the full profile and confirm the bar card number, Texas license date, current eligibility wording, primary practice location and any public disciplinary history.
The directory says only one field is required, but using more than one search criterion can improve accuracy. If two attorneys have the same or similar name, the bar card number is the strongest practical identifier. Do not rely on a law-firm biography, social profile or old business card as a substitute for the current State Bar record.
For lawyers, “renewal” usually means maintaining annual State Bar obligations rather than applying for a brand-new attorney license each year. Annual membership fees are due June 1, active attorneys generally must meet MCLE requirements, and failure to satisfy certain obligations can lead to administrative suspension or another ineligible status.
Who Should Run a Texas Attorney License Verification?
Before hiring a lawyer
Confirm that the person you plan to hire matches a State Bar profile and review the eligibility and public discipline information before paying a retainer or sharing sensitive case information.
Before onboarding or credentialing
Use the bar card number when available, record the verification date and save the current status for an audit or personnel file when the role requires an active Texas law license.
Before a filing, appearance or renewal deadline
Check your public profile after dues, MCLE, status or contact changes and resolve any eligibility issue before practicing or representing that you are currently eligible.
Texas Attorney License Verification: Step-by-Step Lookup
The public directory is simple, but the quality of the verification depends on matching the right lawyer and reading more than the name.
Open State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer
Use the State Bar public directory rather than a commercial people-search site. The directory is the primary public route for Texas attorney membership and profile information.
Search by name, firm or advanced criteria
The directory allows a basic search and an advanced search. One field is enough to search, but adding useful criteria can reduce false matches.
Match the bar card number
If you already have a bar card number from a pleading, engagement letter, signature block or prior record, use it to distinguish attorneys with similar names.
Read the full profile
Confirm the Texas license date, eligibility wording, primary practice location and other public profile information instead of relying only on the search-results list.
Review public disciplinary history
If public discipline exists, the State Bar says it is shown on the lawyer’s online profile along with available public judgments. Pending and dismissed grievance matters are confidential and are not a public “all complaints” database.
Save dated proof when the check matters
For hiring, vendor onboarding, litigation support or compliance, record the date checked, lawyer name, bar card number, eligibility wording and any public discipline note relevant to your decision.
What the State Bar Attorney Profile Can Tell You
| Profile item | What to verify | Why it matters | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Card Number | Match the unique number to the person you intend to verify. | It is the cleanest way to distinguish same-name or similar-name attorneys. | Matching on name alone. |
| Eligibility status | Look for current eligibility wording on the State Bar profile. | A lawyer can exist in the directory while not currently eligible to practice. | Assuming a directory listing automatically means active eligibility. |
| Texas license date | Confirm the date the lawyer was licensed in Texas. | It helps verify identity and explains the applicable membership dues tier. | Confusing years in practice elsewhere with the Texas license date. |
| Primary practice location | Compare the public location with the lawyer or firm’s current representation. | It is another identity check and can reveal stale public-profile information. | Treating a changed office location as proof of invalid licensure. |
| Public disciplinary history | Review public sanctions and available public judgments shown by the State Bar. | Public discipline can be material to hiring and client decisions. | Expecting confidential pending or dismissed grievance information to appear publicly. |
The State Bar directory is the practical public lookup. When an institution specifically requires a formal Certificate of Good Standing, use the separate Supreme Court of Texas certificate process described below.
Eligible, Ineligible, Suspended and Disciplinary Status: What to Check
A Texas attorney can appear in public records even when an administrative or disciplinary issue affects current eligibility. Use the profile and, when appropriate, the State Bar’s daily-updated Ineligible Attorney List.
Profile indicates eligibility to practice
Match the lawyer’s identity, bar card number and current profile. If your purpose is time-sensitive, make the check close to the filing, hiring or engagement date.
Do not assume the reason
Ineligibility can arise from administrative or disciplinary causes. Use the official list or contact the State Bar Membership Department for the appropriate current explanation.
Public history is different from confidential grievances
Public sanctions can appear on the online profile. The existence of pending grievances and dismissed grievance matters is generally confidential under the disciplinary rules.
State Bar disciplinary notices specifically caution that attorneys may share the same or similar names. Verify the bar card number before attributing a disciplinary action to a particular lawyer.
Texas Attorney License Renewal: What “Renewal” Actually Means
For an already licensed Texas attorney, annual renewal is primarily a membership and compliance process. The lawyer does not reapply to the Board of Law Examiners each year for a new license.
Pay annual membership dues and applicable fees
State Bar membership fees are due on the first day of the fiscal year, June 1. Failure to pay by the applicable deadline can result in administrative suspension and reinstatement penalties.
Maintain continuing legal education compliance
Active members generally must complete 15 CLE hours in each compliance year, including at least 3 hours in legal ethics or professional responsibility.
Keep required profile information current
Texas attorneys must create and annually update their State Bar public profile, including required license and practice information.
The Texas Board of Law Examiners determines admission eligibility under the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas, and the Supreme Court of Texas issues the license. This page focuses on verification and ongoing status after admission.
Texas Attorney Annual Dues and Fees for 2026–2027
The current State Bar dues schedule for the fiscal year June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 keeps the membership dues rates that took effect June 1, 2025.
| Membership category | Annual membership dues | Additional fee or note | Deadline consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed less than 3 years | $74 | Active attorneys generally also owe the $65 legal services fee unless exempt. | Dues are due June 1; late nonpayment can lead to administrative suspension. |
| Licensed 3–5 years | $162 | The same legal services fee rules apply unless an exemption is available. | After August 31, reinstatement includes a 50% late penalty on membership dues. |
| Licensed more than 5 years | $258 | The exact amount due can vary with exemptions, sections or other selected items. | After November 30, the membership-dues reinstatement penalty rises to 100%. |
| Inactive attorney | $55 | Inactive status limits practice and generally carries different MCLE treatment. | Inactive members still must pay applicable inactive dues to remain in good standing. |
Texas imposes an annual $65 legal services fee on many active attorneys, with statutory exemptions for specified categories. The State Bar explains that this fee is imposed by law, is not a State Bar program fee, and does not fund State Bar activities. Check the official exemption rules before assuming you owe or do not owe it.
The State Bar publishes a separate licensing-fees schedule with prorated amounts for newly licensed attorneys. If admission occurs after December 1, membership dues are generally prorated 50% for that year; newly licensed attorneys should use the current schedule rather than the standard annual table alone.
How to Complete the Texas Attorney Annual Renewal Online
Log in to My Bar Page
Use your State Bar account and bar number credentials. Do not enter payment information through an emailed third-party link or unofficial renewal site.
Select “Pay Membership Fees”
Review your membership status, dues, legal services fee or exemption options, section dues and other items shown in the official workflow.
Review the final amount before paying
Confirm that your status and fee selections are correct before you submit the transaction.
Choose EFT or credit card
The current State Bar renewal guide says credit-card transactions add a $5 processing fee. Electronic Funds Transfer using a bank account and routing number avoids that $5 processing fee.
Complete the order and keep confirmation
The State Bar says online and email confirmation is immediate. The payment is applied to the database overnight, and a receipt can be ordered through My Bar Page the next day.
Texas MCLE Requirements That Can Affect Attorney Eligibility
The State Bar’s MCLE Regulations effective April 24, 2026 require active members to complete 15 total CLE hours during each compliance year, including 3 hours of legal ethics or professional responsibility.
Minimum annual CLE
At least 12 of the 15 required hours must be accredited CLE activities. Up to 3 hours can be self-study under the MCLE rules.
Ethics requirement
At least 3 hours must cover legal ethics or professional responsibility. Under the current regulations, at least 2 ethics hours must be accredited CLE and up to 1 ethics hour may be self-study.
No in-person minimum
The State Bar states that all 15 hours may be completed online. Attorneys should still confirm that courses are properly accredited or otherwise qualify for credit.
Inactive Texas Attorney Status and Reinstatement
Inactive status is not the same as an active license with a temporary break from client work. State Bar rules restrict what an inactive attorney may do in Texas.
Generally may not practice law for others
An attorney on inactive membership status may not provide legal services for another person or entity, hold a position that requires an active Texas law license, or represent the inactive status as active eligibility, subject to narrow rule-based exceptions.
Reactivation requires more than changing a profile label
Contact the Membership Department for the current amount and required forms, complete any applicable MCLE steps, submit the reinstatement materials and wait until the official public status reflects eligibility before resuming practice.
If inactive status is effective on or before June 1, the current inactive membership dues are $55. If the change is effective after June 1, the State Bar says active membership fees are due for that fiscal year and the reduced inactive dues apply in subsequent years.
Texas Certificate of Good Standing: When a Directory Lookup Is Not Enough
A public State Bar profile is useful for everyday verification, but courts, employers, other jurisdictions or credentialing bodies may ask for an official Certificate of Good Standing.
Supreme Court of Texas
The certificate is issued by the Supreme Court of Texas even though the online request is initiated by logging into the State Bar website.
$25 per certificate
The Supreme Court lists a $25 certificate fee plus $1 postage/handling. Overnight delivery carries an additional $25 charge.
Handled within five business days
The Supreme Court says requests are handled within five business days. Each request may specify up to three separate recipients.
Texas Attorney Public Profile and Contact Information Updates
Texas attorneys have an ongoing responsibility to keep required public profile information current. The State Bar’s public-information guidance says attorneys must create and annually update a public profile containing specified license and practice information.
Review the profile annually
Check the Texas license date, primary practice location, law school information and any applicable out-of-state discipline information required for the public profile.
Use My Bar Page
State Bar member tools provide the online route for contact and profile updates. After changing information, recheck the public profile once the update has processed.
Stale contact data is not automatically a license problem
An old office address may indicate a profile update issue rather than an invalid license. Verify eligibility and contact the attorney or State Bar when identity remains uncertain.
Texas Attorney Verification Checklist for Clients and Employers
- State Bar of Texas source used.
- Date the lookup was completed.
- Attorney’s full name.
- Bar Card Number.
- Texas license date.
- Current eligibility wording.
- Primary practice location.
- Public disciplinary history reviewed.
- Certificate of Good Standing obtained when formally required.
- A law-firm website biography.
- A social-media profile.
- An old business card.
- A commercial attorney directory.
- A similar-name registry result without the bar card number.
- An old screenshot when current eligibility matters.
- A claim that “no discipline appears” without checking the official profile.
Texas Attorney Lookup Problems: What to Do
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No attorney appears | Spelling, former name, incomplete search input or the person may not be a Texas-licensed lawyer. | Try a shorter name search, firm name or advanced search; ask for the bar card number when appropriate. |
| Several lawyers share the name | Common or similar name. | Match the bar card number, license date and primary practice location before relying on the profile. |
| Profile says ineligible | Administrative or disciplinary issue may affect practice eligibility. | Do not assume the reason. Check official State Bar information and contact Membership when clarification is needed. |
| Lawyer says dues were just paid | The State Bar says online payment is applied to its database overnight. | Recheck the public profile after processing and confirm the official status before a time-sensitive legal action. |
| Need proof for another court or state | A public profile screenshot may not meet the receiving body’s requirement. | Order a Certificate of Good Standing from the Supreme Court of Texas when formal proof is requested. |
State Bar of Texas Contact Information
| Need | Contact | Use this for |
|---|---|---|
| State Bar main office | 512-427-1463 or 800-204-2222 | General State Bar questions and routing. |
| Membership Department | 512-427-1383 | Membership dues, inactive status, reinstatement and profile questions. |
| MCLE Department | 512-427-1806 | CLE compliance, reporting, exemptions and noncompliance questions. |
| Texas Law Center | 1414 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701 | State Bar headquarters. |
VerificationLicense.org is not the State Bar of Texas, the Supreme Court of Texas or the Texas Board of Law Examiners. Use the official State Bar or court record for final licensing, eligibility, discipline, payment and legal-practice decisions.
Official Texas Attorney Verification and Renewal Resources
Texas Attorney License Verification FAQs
How do I verify whether a Texas attorney is licensed and eligible to practice?
Use the State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer directory. Search by name or other available criteria, open the full profile, and confirm the bar card number, Texas license date, eligibility wording, primary practice location and any public disciplinary history. Use the bar card number when possible because lawyers can have similar names.
What is the best identifier for a Texas attorney lookup?
The Bar Card Number is the strongest practical identifier because it helps distinguish attorneys with the same or similar names. If you do not have the number, use the lawyer’s exact name and compare the license date and primary practice location before relying on the match.
Does the State Bar profile show disciplinary history?
Yes. Public disciplinary history may be listed on the attorney’s profile. Pending grievances and dismissed grievance matters are confidential, so the profile should not be treated as a list of every complaint ever made.
How often do Texas attorneys renew their license?
Texas attorneys do not reapply for a new license every year. After admission, they maintain eligibility through annual State Bar membership obligations such as dues and applicable fees, MCLE compliance, profile updates and other requirements. Membership fees are due June 1 each year.
How much are Texas attorney annual membership dues in 2026–2027?
The State Bar lists annual membership dues of $74 for attorneys licensed less than three years, $162 for those licensed three to five years, $258 for those licensed more than five years, and $55 for inactive attorneys. Many active attorneys also owe a separate $65 legal services fee unless an exemption applies.
What happens if a Texas attorney pays annual dues late?
Membership fees are due June 1. If fees remain unpaid after the applicable deadline, administrative suspension and reinstatement penalties may apply. Attorneys should use the current State Bar fee page for the exact amount due.
What are the Texas MCLE requirements for active attorneys?
Active State Bar members generally must complete 15 CLE hours during each compliance year, including at least three hours in legal ethics or professional responsibility. Current MCLE regulations also distinguish accredited CLE from self-study credit.
Can an inactive Texas attorney practice law?
Generally no. An attorney on inactive membership status may not provide legal services for another person or entity or hold a position that requires an active Texas law license, subject to limited rule-based exceptions. Eligibility should be restored before practice resumes.
How do I get a Texas attorney Certificate of Good Standing?
Use the Supreme Court of Texas certificate process. The certificate is issued by the Supreme Court, while the online request process is connected to the State Bar member system. Current fees and processing information should be confirmed on the court’s certificate page.
What should I do if I cannot find a Texas attorney in the State Bar directory?
Check the spelling, try a shorter name search or firm name, use advanced search, and ask the attorney for the Bar Card Number when appropriate. If you still cannot resolve the record, contact the State Bar rather than assuming the person is unlicensed from one unsuccessful search.
Verify the Lawyer First, Then Use the Correct Texas Renewal or Compliance Route
For a Texas attorney license verification, start with the State Bar of Texas Find a Lawyer directory and match the exact attorney by bar card number whenever possible. Then review eligibility and public discipline. Attorneys maintaining active status should separately track annual dues, MCLE, profile information and any administrative issue that could affect eligibility. Use the Supreme Court certificate process when formal proof of good standing is required.