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Membership Applications and Scholarships

Members are the lifeblood of the North Carolina Bar Association — join to take advantage of the many member benefits that impact your practice and profession.

Select your membership type below to open the PDF application that meets your needs. You have the option to mail the completed application to Membership Services, North Carolina Bar Association, 8000 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513, or you may scan the completed application and email it to [email protected].

Alternatively, you may join online by visiting ncbar.org/join. If you have any questions pertaining to the benefits associated with membership in the NCBA, please call 919.677.0561 and ask for Membership Services.

Please note that NCBA dues are non-refundable.

2025-26 Membership Application: For attorneys and judges.

  • Attorney: Active and inactive members of the North Carolina State Bar or a resident of N.C. who is active or inactive with a state bar or other authority of another state, territory or the District of Columbia that regulates the practice of law in that jurisdiction. Attorneys who are inactive because of disbarment or disciplinary suspension are not permitted to be members of the Association.
  • Judge: A judge of a U.S. federal, state or local court who resides in N.C. Must be active to receive this membership type.

Affiliate Membership Application: A category for participation by non-lawyers in the Association or in any section, division or committee of the Association that permits non-lawyer affiliation.

Criminal Justice Subsidy Application

Law Student & Law Student Affiliate Application:

  • Law Student: Students enrolled and in good standing of an accredited law school or provisionally accredited law school are eligible for membership in the NCBA.
  • Law Student Affiliate: Student enrolled and in good standing in i) any out-of-state law school accredited, provisionally accredited or in the process of preparing for accreditation or ii) any unaccredited N.C law school preparing for accreditation.
  • Law Student and Law Student Affiliate membership end date is based on expected graduation date that student enters when they join.

Military & Veterans Law Section Discount Application: Special membership categories for the Military & Veterans Law (MVL) Section Discount.

Paralegal Membership Application: Two classes of paralegal membership are open to those who perform or are eligible to perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney:

  • Paralegal (In-state): Paralegals who reside in N.C. and are employed by an attorney for at least three consecutive years or at least one year with completion of one of the following: NCCP status by the N.C. State Bar, certification from the NALA exam, a four-year B.A. or B.S. from an accredited school, a community college paralegal program or an ABA-accredited program for paralegals.
  • Paralegal (Out-of-state): Paralegals who reside in the District of Columbia or a state or territory other than N.C. and are employed by an attorney for at least three consecutive years or at least one year with completion of one of the following: NCCP status by the N.C. State Bar, certification from the NALA exam, a four-year B.A. or B.S. from an accredited school, a community college paralegal program or an ABA-accredited program for paralegals.
  • Paralegal Provisional (In-state): Paralegals who reside in N.C. and are currently unemployed or have been employed for less than one year.
  • Paralegal Provisional (Out-of-state): Paralegals who reside in the District of Columbia or a state or territory other than N.C. and are currently unemployed or have been employed for less than one year.

Paralegal Student Membership Application

Positional Membership Application: Membership paid for by a government entity, law school or school of government located in N.C. for the benefit of a full-time employee, faculty member or administrator. The membership remains attached to the employer.

Scholarship Program: A need-based scholarship program that may cover up to 50% of basic membership dues. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.

Sections Application: Use this form to join one or more NCBA Sections.

International Membership Application: A lawyer classified by a bar or other authority of a foreign jurisdiction that regulates the practice of law in that jurisdiction, as active or inactive, regardless of where they reside, if sponsored by a regular member in good standing. Attorneys who are inactive because of disbarment or disciplinary suspension are not permitted to be members of the Association. An international membership application must be completed with the International Lawyers Sponsor form, signed by a regular member of the NCBA. To receive this sponsor form, please contact Member Services at [email protected] or 919.677.0561.