You must pass the Moral Character and Fitness review before you can be sworn in to practice law. Please note that the review process often takes from 8 to 10 months so you should submit this application early in your last year of school.
The application forms are available year round at the Bar website:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov
. A positive moral character evaluation is valid for two years.
The Determination of Moral Character is the most extensive of the bar applications. It requests detailed information from as far back as high school, including all residential addresses and employment. An applicant is generally cleared when the state bar receives a fingerprint clearance, a DMV clearance, positive references (confidential questionnaires) from friends and employers as well as certificates of good standing from the law school (Office of the Registrar).
An applicant not meeting these prerequisites may still be cleared although further investigation may be required. The types of applications requiring further investigation are referred to as Level IV cases.