What happens when your Florida bar membership lapses and how to restore it

A lapsed Florida bar membership means you have not paid your annual membership dues or met continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, and the Florida Supreme Court has removed your name from the active attorney roll. You cannot practice law, appear in court, or hold yourself out as a licensed attorney while lapsed. Reinstatement is possible, but the path depends on how long you have been inactive and whether you left voluntarily or were administratively removed.

The Florida Bar handles reinstatement through its Membership Department. The process is not automatic — you must submit a formal petition, pay back dues, complete any outstanding CLE hours, and sometimes pass a character and fitness review. How long reinstatement takes and what you must prove varies based on your specific situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Reinstatement requires a written petition to the Florida Supreme Court through the Florida Bar's Membership Department, not a straightforward renewal.
  • You must pay all back annual membership dues from the year you lapsed through the current year, plus a reinstatement fee.
  • If you have been inactive for more than five years, you may need to retake the Florida Bar exam or pass a special reinstatement exam instead of just paying dues.
  • Completing any outstanding CLE credits is required before reinstatement is granted, and the number of hours owed depends on how long you were inactive.
  • The Florida Bar's Membership Department can tell you your specific reinstatement requirements based on your lapse date and reason for inactivity.

How to file a reinstatement petition with the Florida Bar

Contact the Florida Bar's Membership Department directly to request a reinstatement packet. You can reach them by phone at 850-561-5600 or through the Florida Bar website. They will send you the petition form, a list of your outstanding dues and CLE requirements, and instructions specific to your situation.

Complete the petition form and submit it to the Florida Supreme Court, not to the Florida Bar itself. The form asks for your bar number, the reason for your lapse, and a statement of your intent to resume practice. Include proof of payment for all back dues and the reinstatement fee. The Membership Department can tell you the exact dollar amount owed, which varies by how many years you were inactive.

Once the Supreme Court receives your petition, it is assigned to a referee or reviewed by the Court directly, depending on your circumstances. This review typically takes 30 to 90 days. If there are no disciplinary issues or character concerns, the Court issues an order reinstating your membership.

Back dues, fees, and what reinstatement costs

You owe annual membership dues for every year you were inactive, calculated from the year your membership lapsed through the current year. As of recent years, annual dues are approximately $500 to $600, but this amount changes annually and varies slightly by practice area. You also owe a separate reinstatement fee, which is typically $250 to $500.

The total cost depends on how many years you were lapsed. For example, if you lapsed in 2019 and are reinstating in 2025, you would owe six years of back dues plus the reinstatement fee. The Florida Bar's Membership Department will calculate the exact amount when you contact them.

Payment must be submitted with your petition. The Florida Bar accepts payment by check, credit card, or electronic transfer. Do not send payment before contacting the Membership Department, because the amount owed is specific to your case and paying the wrong amount delays processing.

Continuing legal education requirements for reinstatement

Florida requires all active attorneys to complete 30 CLE credits every three years. If you were inactive, you owe the CLE hours for the period you were lapsed. The number of hours required depends on how long you were inactive and which reporting cycle you fell into.

You must complete these hours before your reinstatement petition is approved. The Florida Bar maintains a list of approved CLE providers, and you can take courses online, in person, or through recorded seminars. Most courses cost $50 to $200 per credit hour.

If you have been inactive for more than five years, the CLE requirement may be waived or reduced, but you may instead be required to pass a reinstatement exam or retake the Florida Bar exam. The Membership Department will clarify which applies to you based on your lapse date.

When you need to retake the bar exam instead of just paying dues

If your membership lapsed more than five years ago, the Florida Supreme Court may require you to pass a reinstatement exam or the full Florida Bar exam before your petition is granted. This is not automatic — it depends on the Court's assessment of whether you have stayed current with changes in law and legal practice.

The reinstatement exam is shorter than the full bar exam and focuses on Florida law and professional responsibility. If the Court requires the full exam instead, you take the same test as new bar applicants. Either way, you must pass before reinstatement is final.

Contact the Florida Board of Bar Examiners to learn which exam applies to your situation and when the next administration is scheduled. Exam registration typically opens several months before the test date, and you must register separately from your reinstatement petition.

Character and fitness review during reinstatement

The Florida Supreme Court reviews your character and fitness as part of the reinstatement process. This is a standard check, not an investigation — the Court looks at your bar record, any disciplinary history, and the reason you became inactive.

If you lapsed straightforward because you did not pay dues or complete CLE, reinstatement is usually straightforward. If you lapsed because of a disciplinary suspension or because you resigned while under investigation, the review is more thorough. You may need to submit additional documentation explaining the circumstances and demonstrating that you are fit to practice.

If you have been arrested, convicted of a crime, or faced civil litigation since you lapsed, disclose this in your petition. The Court will consider it, but disclosure is required and failure to disclose can result in denial of reinstatement.

Timeline: how long reinstatement takes from start to finish

The reinstatement process typically takes 60 to 120 days from the date you submit your petition to the Florida Supreme Court. The timeline depends on whether you have any outstanding issues, whether an exam is required, and how quickly you complete CLE credits.

Here is the typical sequence: contact the Membership Department (1 to 2 days), receive your reinstatement packet (3 to 5 days), complete CLE if required (2 to 8 weeks depending on course availability), submit your petition with payment (1 day), Court review (30 to 90 days), and issuance of the reinstatement order (1 to 5 days). If an exam is required, add 4 to 12 weeks for exam registration and administration.

You cannot practice law until the Florida Supreme Court issues the reinstatement order. Once the order is issued, your name is restored to the active attorney roll and you may resume practice when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I practice law while my reinstatement petition is pending?

No. You cannot practice law, appear in court, or sign legal documents on behalf of clients while your membership is lapsed, even if your reinstatement petition has been filed. You must wait for the Florida Supreme Court to issue the reinstatement order. Practicing while lapsed is unauthorized practice of law and can result in criminal charges.

What if I cannot afford to pay all the back dues at once?

Contact the Florida Bar's Membership Department to ask about payment plans. Some situations allow you to pay dues in installments, though this is not may provide. You must make arrangements before submitting your petition, because the petition requires proof of payment.

Do I need a lawyer to file my reinstatement petition?

No. The reinstatement petition is a straightforward form that you can complete yourself. The Florida Bar's Membership Department provides instructions and will answer questions about what to include. Many attorneys handle their own reinstatement without legal representation.

What if my reinstatement petition is denied?

If the Florida Supreme Court denies your petition, the order will explain the reason. Common reasons include outstanding disciplinary issues, failure to pay dues, or character concerns. You can file a new petition after addressing the stated reason, or you can request a hearing before a referee to contest the denial.

Can I reinstate if I was suspended for discipline rather than just lapsed?

Reinstatement after a disciplinary suspension follows a different process than reinstatement for non-payment of dues. You must petition the Florida Supreme Court to lift the suspension, and the Court may require you to demonstrate rehabilitation, complete additional CLE, or pass an exam. Contact the Florida Bar's Disciplinary Department for guidance on your specific suspension.