Attorney Registration - Frequently Asked Questions

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    Which Court rules govern the registration of attorneys in Rhode Island?

    Article IV, Rule 1 of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules for the Periodic Registration of Attorneys. ​

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    How often do attorneys have to register with the Supreme Court?
    ​All attorneys are required to register with the Supreme Court each year between April 1 and July 1 using the Rhode Island Supreme Court Attorney Portal (RISCAP). 
    ​

    Attorneys are also required to update registration information in the records of the Supreme Court within thirty (30) days of any change.  Attorney registration information must be changed online using the "MANAGE" link on your RISCAP homepage​.

    ​Below are important instructions you will need for attorney registration on RISCAP.

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    What services are available on RISCAP?

    Attorneys must use RISCAP for the following attorney services (unless the attorney has obtained a waiver of the electronic filing requirements):

    1. To update registration information within thirty (30) days of any change;
    2. To change attorney status (active, inactive, etc.);
    3. To submit the required annual attorney registration; 
    4. To request a Certificate of Good Standing; and
    5. To request to resign from the Rhode Island Bar.​
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    What are the different attorney statuses in Rhode Island?
    Active - Attorneys who maintain active status may practice law in Rhode Island. Active attorneys must register each year with the Supreme Court.

    Inactive - Attorneys who maintain inactive status are on the Master Roll of Attorneys but cannot practice law in Rhode Island. Attorneys who maintain inactive status must still register each year with the Supreme Court. 

    Removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys - Attorneys may be removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys by the Supreme Court if the attorney fails to timely submit the annual attorney registration or fails to comply with MCLE. 

    Suspended Bar Dues - The Supreme Court may suspend attorneys who fail to pay mandatory membership dues to the Rhode Island Bar Association. 

    Disciplinary Statuses - Attorneys who have been suspended or disbarred by the Supreme Court after disciplinary action are placed in the appropriate disciplinary status.

    Resigned - Attorneys seeking to resign membership from the Rhode Island Bar shall file a motion to resign on RISCAP. Resigned members of the Rhode Island Bar cannot practice in Rhode Island.  Additionally, resigned members shall file the statements of registration presently required by Article IV, Rule 1 of attorneys for a period of five (5) years following the acceptance of the resignation.

    See the “How do I change my attorney status” question below for information on how attorneys can change their attorney status.
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    What are the annual attorney registration fees?
    Active attorneys are required to pay $200.00 by July 1 of each year. 
    Inactive attorneys are required to pay $50.00 by July 1 of each year.  

    Attorneys who fail to register by the July 1 deadline are assessed a $125.00 late fee in addition to the applicable registration fee and are removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys. Removed attorneys are not in good standing with the Supreme Court and are prohibited from practicing law in Rhode Island.

    ​Inactive attorneys who are seventy (70) years of age or older are exempt from the annual attorney registration requirement but must notify the Clerk within thirty (30) days of any change to the registration information. ​
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    What do I need to do if I fail to submit my annual attorney registration on time?
    If you have failed to submit your annual attorney registration by the July 1 deadline and you have been removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys you must apply for reinstatement in order to return to good standing. Attorneys removed from the Master Roll of Attorneys must apply for reinstatement.  Art. IV, Rule 1(e).  

    Instructions for how to apply for reinstatement on RISCAP are available below.  

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    Do I have to pay my annual attorney registration fees online using RISCAP?

    Yes, registering online using RISCAP is mandatory. There are two (2) exceptions to the mandatory online filing requirement. First, the Court will accept a single registration fee payment manually when the payment is for five (5) or more attorneys. Single payments for five (5) or more attorneys must be accompanied by a completed Annual Attorney Registration Statement Single Payment form​ which lists each attorney for whom payment is being submitted and which acknowledges that any changes to the registration information for those attorneys have been submitted online via RISCAP. Second, attorneys may petition the Court for an exemption of the mandatory online filing requirement in accordance with the existing electronic filing waiver process set forth in Article IV, Rule 1(i). 

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    What forms of payment are accepted on RISCAP when paying annual attorney registration fees?
    Annual attorney registration fees must be paid on RISCAP using a credit card or eCheck. Please note American Express is not an accepted form of payment. Please see below for information regarding the current RISCAP processing fees.

    Credit Card Fee: 3.25% of the transaction amount
    eCheck Fee: 25¢ per transaction
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    What is an eCheck?
    An eCheck or electronic check is a method of paying by check online by entering your bank account routing number.​​
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    How will I know my payment has been received?
    You will receive an email confirmation to your RISCAP username email address.​
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    Do I need to register annually with the Supreme Court after assuming inactive status?
    Yes, inactive attorneys must register annually with the Rhode Island Supreme Court.​
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    I have retired from the practice of law, now what?
    If you have retired from the practice of law, you can stay in active status or you can go inactive or resign from the Rhode Island Bar. Inactive attorneys must still register annually with the Supreme Court but pay a reduced registration fee. Inactive attorneys who are seventy (70)  years of age or older are exempt from the annual attorney registration requirement. Otherwise, the only way to be relieved of the annual attorney registration requirement is to resign from the Rhode Island Bar. Attorneys should be mindful that seeking reinstatement to active status after resignation requires filing a petition pursuant to Article III, Rule 16 and passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) after being resigned for one (1) year or more.  Reinstatement to active status from inactive status requires submitting an application for reinstatement pursuant to Article IV, Rule 1(e).​​
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    How do I change my attorney status?
    Active to Inactive - Active attorneys can change to inactive status online using RISCAP using the "MANAGE" link on the RISCAP account homepage. Instructions on how to change your attorney registration status from active to inactive on RISCAP are available below.

    How to Change Attorney Status from Active to Inactive on RISCAP
    ​​
    Inactive to Active or Removed to Active or Inactive - Returning to active status or changing to active or inactive status after removal from the Master Roll of Attorneys or suspension for failure to pay Rhode Island Bar Association dues requires filing an application for reinstatement on RISCAP.  

    Instructions for how to apply for reinstatement on RISCAP are available below. 
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    Can I get my attorney registration fees waived?
    Rhode Island attorneys who are unable to comply with the attorney registration requirements "due to illness, financial or personal difficulties, may petition the court, with proper documentation, for an exemption." Art. IV, Rule 1(e)(4). Accordingly, attorneys seeking to be exempt from any of the attorney registration requirements, including late fees, must obtain an exemption from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Clerk's Office has no authority to waive attorney registration late fees.​​
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    Do I have to notify the Rhode Island Supreme Court of changes to my contact information after I have registered?
    Yes, all Rhode Island attorneys are required to notify the Supreme Court within thirty (30) days of any change to the registration information which includes contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses).  Contact information can be changed at any time using the "MANAGE" link on the RISCAP account homepage. 

    Instructions on how to change your attorney registration status from active to inactive on RISCAP are available below.​

    How to Update your Attorney Registration Information on RISCAP

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    Is there an age exemption from the annual attorney registration requirements?
    Inactive attorneys who are seventy (70) years of age or older are exempt from the annual attorney registration requirement but must notify the Clerk within thirty (30) days of any change to the registration information. If the attorney’s date of birth falls after the July 1 deadline, the attorney is required to submit annual attorney registration and the required fee.​​
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    How do I resign from the Rhode Island Bar?
    Any attorney who wishes to resign from the Rhode Island Bar must file a Petition to Resign from the Rhode Island Bar on RISCAP. Attorneys should consult Article III, Rule 23 for information about resigning from the Rhode Island Bar and reinstatement after resignation​.
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    Can I get reinstated after resignation?
    Resigned members seeking reinstatement must follow the procedures set forth in Article III, Rule 16. Reinstatement after being resigned for one (1) year or more requires passing the MPRE. The questionnaire referred to in Rule 16 can be obtained by contacting the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at (401) 823-5710.​
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    How do I obtain a certificate of good standing?
    You must request a certificate of good standing online using RISCAP.  Select Request Good Standing Certificate from the Filing Options listed on the right of RISCAP homepage.​
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    As a Rhode Island attorney, do I have to join the Rhode Island Bar Association?
    Yes. The State of Rhode Island has a unified bar and, therefore, membership with the Rhode Island Bar Association is mandatory for all attorneys licensed to practice law in Rhode Island. As a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, you must pay annual dues. The Rhode Island Bar Association annual dues are separate and apart from the Supreme Court annual attorney registration fees.​
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    What happens if I failed to pay my Rhode Island Bar Association annual dues?
    The Rhode Island Bar Association may ask the Supreme Court to suspend you for failure to pay bar dues.​
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    Whom should I contact with questions about attorney registration?
    Please contact the Supreme Court Clerk's Office at attorneyreginfo@courts.ri.gov​ for questions about attorney registration. If you need technical assistance with RISCAP, please contact Tyler Technologies at 1-833-307-2324. 
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    Where can I obtain my bar card?
    Please contact the Rhode Island Bar Association at info@ribar.com​ or by telephone at (401) 421-5740.