California Rules of Court 2025

Rule 9.7. Oath required when admitted to practice law

Rule 9.7. Attorney oath and annual declaration

(a) Oath required when admitted to practice law

In addition to the language required by Business and Professions Code section 6067, the oath to be taken by every person on admission to practice law is to conclude with the following: "As an officer of the court, I will strive to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy and integrity.

(b) Annual declaration

Each active licensee and each special admissions attorney (permitted to practice law in the State of California under rules 9.41.1, 9.44, 9.45, or 9.46) must, pursuant to the procedure adopted by the State Bar, declare adherence to the oath language provided by (a) of this rule and Professions Code section 6067 on an annual basis.

(c) Implementation schedule and penalty for noncompliance

(1) The State Bar must develop a schedule to implement the submission of the declaration required by (b) of this rule by the deadline for the payment of the annual license fee.

(2)  Beginning on April 1, 2026, an active licensee or special admissions attorney who fails to submit the annual declaration as required by this rule must be enrolled as an inactive licensee of the State Bar under rules adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar.

(d) Authorization for the Board of Trustees of the State Bar to adopt rules and procedures

The Board of Trustees of the State Bar is authorized to adopt such rules and procedures as it deems necessary and appropriate to ensure compliance with this rule.

(e) Fees and penalties

The State Bar has the authority to set and collect appropriate fees and penalties for violations of this rule.

Rule 9.7 amended effective October 1, 2025; adopted as rule 9.4 effective May 27, 2014; previously renumbered as rule 9.7 effective January 1, 2018.