W. Va. Code » §30-2-1. Certificate of good moral character; examination of applicants for license; licenses.
West Virginia Code

W. Va. Code § 30-2-1 (2026)

Certificate of good moral character; examination of applicants for license; licenses

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ARTICLE 2. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW.

§30-2-1. Certificate of good moral character; examination of applicants for license; licenses.

Any person desiring to obtain a license to practice law in the courts of this state shall appear before the circuit court of the county in which he has resided for the last preceding year and prove to the satisfaction of the court, or to the satisfaction of a committee of three attorneys practicing before the court, appointed by the court, that he is a person of good moral character, that he is eighteen years of age, and that he has resided in such county for one year next preceding the date of his appearance; and upon the presentation of such proof, the court shall enter an order on its record accordingly. The Supreme Court of Appeals shall prescribe and publish rules and regulations for the examination of all applicants for admission to practice law, which shall include the period of study and degree of preparation required of applicants previous to being admitted, as well as the method of examinations, whether by the court or otherwise. And the Supreme Court of Appeals may, upon the production of a duly certified copy of the order of the circuit court, hereinbefore mentioned, and upon being satisfied that the applicant has shown, upon an examination conducted in accordance with such rules and regulations, that he is qualified to practice law in the courts of this state, and upon being further satisfied that such rules and regulations have been complied with in all respects, grant such applicant a license to practice law in the courts of this state, and such license shall show upon its face that all the provisions of this section and of the said rules have been complied with: Provided, That any person who shall produce a duly certified copy of such order of the circuit court, and also a diploma of graduation from the college of law of West Virginia University reflecting a date of graduation prior to July 1, 1983, shall, upon presentation thereof in any of the courts of this state, be entitled to practice in any and all courts of this state, and the order so admitting him shall state the facts pertaining to the same.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1972–2018 · leading case: State Ex Rel. Quelch v. Daugherty, 306 S.E.2d 233 (W. Va. 1983).
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State Ex Rel. Quelch v. Daugherty, 306 S.E.2d 233 (W. Va. 1983). · cites it 10× “In 1981 our state legislature amended W.Va.Code, 30-2-1, to require all West Virginia University law school graduates after July 1, 1983, to take the examination.”
In Re: Brown, 273 S.E.2d 567 (W. Va. 1980). · cites it 3× “We treated his application as an original application to practice law under W. Va. Code, 30-2-1, and determined that he did not prove he was of good moral character.”
Smith v. Davis, 350 F. Supp. 1225 (S.D.W. Va 1972). · cites it 19× “He asks that a West Virginia statute, Code, § 30-2-1 (Michie Supp.1972), be declared unconstitutional *1226 wherein it requires an applicant for a license to practice law to have been a resident of the county "for one year next preceding the date of his appearance" before the…”
State Ex Rel. Carenbauer v. Hechler, 542 S.E.2d 405 (W. Va. 2000). · cites it 4× “[19] See also W.Va.Code § 30-2-1(1998) (granting Supreme Court power to grant or deny applicant's license to practice law).”
Michael D.C. v. Wanda L.C., 497 S.E.2d 531 (W. Va. 1997). “Code § 30-2-1(a)(2) (1989); Alaska Stat. § 25.”
SER Margaret L. Workman v. Mitch Carmichael, as President of the Senate, 819 S.E.2d 251 (W. Va. 2018). · cites it 3× “2d 233 , 236 (1983) (" W.Va. Code, 30-2-1, as amended, is an unconstitutional usurpation of this Court's exclusive authority to regulate admission to the practice of law in this State.”
State Ex Rel. McCamic v. McCoy, 276 S.E.2d 534 (W. Va. 1981). “For this reason, in order to be admitted to the practice of law it is required that an attorney possess a good moral character and have a fitness to practice his profession.”
W. Va. Code § 30-2-1(1998): 1 case
State Ex Rel. Carenbauer v. Hechler, 542 S.E.2d 405 (W. Va. 2000). “[19] See also W.Va.Code § 30-2-1(1998) (granting Supreme Court power to grant or deny applicant's license to practice law).”
W. Va. Code § 30-2-1(a)(2): 1 case
Michael D.C. v. Wanda L.C., 497 S.E.2d 531 (W. Va. 1997). “Code § 30-2-1(a)(2) (1989); Alaska Stat. § 25.”
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