Military Waivers/Exemptions FAQ
Membership Dues Waiver
Do I qualify for a waiver of my annual
dues?
How do I request a waiver of annual
dues?
What if my deployment orders are
extended?
Do I qualify for a waiver if I am deployed
later in the year, after I have paid dues?
How do I contact the Membership
Department for more information regarding annual dues
waivers?
MCLE Exemption
Do I qualify for an exemption from MCLE
requirements?
How do I request an MCLE exemption?
What if I missed my MCLE compliance due to
deployment in a combat zone?
How do I renew my MCLE Hardship
exemption?
How do I contact MCLE for more information
regarding a Hardship exemption?
Do I qualify for a waiver of my annual
dues?
Attorneys serving in the U. S. Armed Forces performing services in a
Combat Zone (as designated by an Executive Order of the President of
the United States) and who will not practice law in Texas during this
time period are eligible to be considered for a waiver of annual bar
dues for each fiscal year designated in the order.
The Supreme Court of Texas has inherent authority to regulate the practice of law, and the authority to set member dues. All requests for waivers submitted to the State Bar Membership Department will be forwarded to the Supreme Court. If a waiver is granted by the Supreme Court, it will be for any "dues year" in which that member is serving in a combat zone. The member should notify the Bar upon the member's release from duty in a combat zone, and the dues obligations will be reactivated commencing the "next bar year".
How do I request a waiver of annual
dues?
Click
here to print the Active Military Dues Waiver form to be exempt
from annual dues. Complete the form and send to the Membership
Department along with your military assignment orders. You may email,
fax or mail your request.
Email requests can be sent to:
combatzone@texasbar.com
Our mailing address is:
State Bar of Texas
Membership Dept.
P. O. Box 12487
Austin, TX, 78711
Or fax to:
(512) 427-4124
What if my deployment orders are
extended?
If your deployment orders change and you are able to notify us, please
let us know. Otherwise, we will not change your military waiver
status until you notify us upon your release from duty in a Combat
Zone.
Do I qualify for a waiver if I am
deployed later in the year, after I have paid dues?
If you have already paid your dues for the current fiscal year, your
dues will not be refunded. However, your annual dues will be waived
for any subsequent fiscal year(s) as designated in your deployment
orders.
How do I contact the Membership
Department for more information regarding annual dues
waivers?
You can contact the Membership via email, phone, fax or mail.
Email requests can be sent to:
combatzone@texasbar.com
Our phone is:
(800) 204-2222, ext. 1383
Our fax number is:
(512) 427-4124.
Our mailing address is:
State Bar of Texas
Membership Dept.
P. O. Box 12487
Austin, TX 78711
Express mail should be sent to:
State Bar of Texas
Membership Dept.
1414 Colorado, Fifth Floor
Austin, TX 78701
Do I qualify for an exemption from
MCLE requirements?
MCLE Rules and Regulations support the granting of a hardship
exemption for any member who is faced with extraordinary hardship
during the MCLE compliance year. If you are a member who is currently
deployed to a combat zone, or if you will soon be deployed during the
current MCLE compliance year, you can qualify for an exempt
status.
How do I request an MCLE
exemption?
If you are currently deployed to a combat zone, or if you will be
deployed during your current MCLE compliance year (first day of the
birth month to the last day of the month immediately preceding the birth
month of the following year), then you may request a Hardship
exemption from MCLE requirements. You may email combatzone@texasbar.com with a
request, including your name, bar number and time that you will be
deployed, OR, click
here to complete a form that can be mailed or faxed to MCLE to
request your Hardship exemption.
What if I missed my MCLE compliance due to
deployment in a combat zone?
If you missed your MCLE compliance year due to deployment in a combat
zone, and you were in non-compliance due to your deployment, you will
need to notify the MCLE department as soon as your deployment has
ended to request a "retroactive" hardship-exempt status for the
year(s) that you were deployed. Click
here to request a retroactive hardship exemption.
How do I renew my MCLE hardship
exemption?
If you have received an MCLE hardship exemption for military
deployment in a combat zone, the exempt status will be automatically
renewed and will remain on your MCLE record until you have notified the
MCLE department that your deployment has ended. Once you have returned
from your deployment, you will need to contact the MCLE department by
mail, email or fax to make arrangements to return to a Regular
(practicing) MCLE status.
How do I contact MCLE for more
information regarding a Hardship Exemption?
Please call for more information regarding MCLE hardship
exemptions:
1 (800) 204-2222, ext 1806;
or locally 1 (512) 427-1806
Otherwise, you may fax your questions to:
1 (512) 427-4123
Or email to:
combatzone@texasbar.com.
Please include your name and bar number with your request.
Correspondence sent by regular mail delivery should be sent
to:
MCLE Dept.
P.O. BOX 13007
Austin, TX 78711-3007
Express mail should be sent to:
MCLE Dept.,
1414 Colorado Street, Fifth Floor
Austin, TX 78701
