Section 231. Motions for admission

(a) General rule. Motions for admission to the bar of this Commonwealth shall be made by filing one copy thereof with the Prothonotary. The motion shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the Board and shall include or be accompanied by:

(1) A certificate from the Board recommending such admission dated within six months of the filing of the motion. A certificate recommending an applicant’s admission to the bar expires and is no longer valid after six months from the date of issuance. Subject to the limitations set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) below, an applicant whose certificate has expired is required to file a Supplemental Application for Character and Fitness Determination in order to obtain a new certificate from the Board.

(i) An applicant seeking admission under Rule 203 who fails to file a motion for admission to the bar within three years of the date on which their bar examination results were released will be required to reapply and successfully meet all of the requirements for admission to the bar including the taking and passing of a future bar examination in order for the Board to issue a certificate recomending the applicant’s admission to the bar.

(ii) An applicant seeking admission to the bar under Rule 204 who fails to file a motion for admission within three years of the date of filing the initial application with the Board will be required to reapply and successfully meet all of the requirements for admission to the bar in order for the Board to issue a certificate recommending the applicant’s admission to the bar.

(2) The oath of office required by statute.

(3) A formal motion for admission to the bar of this Commonwealth.

(b) Subscription. The motion for admission shall be subscribed by a member of the bar of this Commonwealth in good standing.

(c) Admission to Practice—Fee. The applicant, upon filing a motion under this rule, shall pay a fee of $50.00 (plus the additional cost involved, if an engrossed certificate of admission to the bar is desired).

(d) Action by Prothonotary. If the motion and related documents are in proper order and the required fee is paid the Prothonotary shall:

(1) Enter the name of the applicant upon the docket of persons admitted to the bar of this Commonwealth and the practice of law.

(2) Notify the Administrative Office of the admission of the attorney.

(3) If the requisite fee has been paid therefor, issue an engrossed certificate of admission under seal.

Official Note

Based on former Supreme Court Rule 12B and C. The engrossed certificate of admission has been made optional at additional cost. The text of the oath of office is set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 2522 (relating to oath of office).

The provisions of this Rule 231 amended January 4, 1982, effective January 4, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 519; amended March 13, 1989, effective March 13, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 1400; amended November 13, 1991, effective November 13, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 5509; amended October 2, 1997, effective immediately, 27 Pa.B. 5401; amended August 5, 2005, effective immediately, 35 Pa.B. 4709; amended March 22, 2011, effective 30 days from the date of this order, 41 Pa.B. 1895. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (312745) to (312746).