Law Student Practice Certification

The North Carolina State Bar provides certification to support the practical training of eligible law students during their legal education.

What Does My Certification Allow Me to Do?

Under certain conditions with the approval of the tribunal or administrative agency, your certification allows you to:

• Give advice to a client without the presence of the supervising attorney

• Represent an eligible person or entity before a federal, state or local tribunal

• Assist in the selection of and argument to the jury

• Assist in the examination and cross-examination of witnesses, motions and arguments

• Give notice of appeal

What Can I Do Without Certification?

Without certification, a law student may act as an intern for an attorney, firm, or agency and perform any of the following:

• Shadow an attorney in and out of the courtroom

• Legal research and analysis

• Assist in case file and document management

• Support client interactions

• Any other activities in support of the attorney, firm, or agency that does not fall under the Unauthorized Practice of Law

How to Get Certified

To become certified for student practice, you must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in 27 N.C. Admin. Code 1C.0203 and perform only approved activities as defined in 27 N.C. Admin Code 1C.0206. Before applying, applicants should read the full Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students: 27 N.C. Admin. Code § 1C.0200-.0209.

To qualify for student practice certification, you must:

1. Be enrolled as a J.D. or LL.M. student in an approved law school

Law schools accredited by the American Bar Association are approved by the Council of the NC State Bar. If you are unsure if your law school is approved, you may contact studentpractice@ncbar.gov.

2. Have approval in writing from your law school

In completing the Law School Representative Form, the dean of your law school authorizes the NC State Bar to provide your certification, affirming that you have the required legal ability and education to participate in a clinic, externship, or other student practice placement.

3. Be supervised by an NC-licensed attorney

In completing a supervisory attorney form for the applicable practice placement, your supervising attorney affirms they will oversee all matters in which you will appear. They will also obtain tribunal or agency approval (whether oral or written) of your appearance before the presiding judicial official, following any limitations imposed by the official.

4. Read the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct

By signing the Student Certification Rules of Professional Conduct Form, you certify that you have read the NC Rules of Professional Conduct and the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students.

5. Neither ask for nor receive any compensation of any kind from any eligible person to whom services are rendered

Certification Application

Applications and all forms need to be completed in full to be processed by State Bar staff. It takes approximately 3-5 business days to process applications. Please refer to the Forms page for all required documents, as well as application checklists to help guide you through the process.

There are two ways to apply for law student practice certification.

1. Students may submit their application via the SurveyMonkey link below and upload all forms as attachments to the application.

2. Attorneys or law school representatives may submit bulk applications by filling out the Bulk Application Spreadsheet and emailing it, along with all required forms for all students, to studentpractice@ncbar.gov.