North Carolina Third Year Practice Certificate

Certification under the Third-Year Practice Rule allows Elon Law students to gain practical experience, including appearing in court, under the supervision of a licensed North Carolina attorney. An information packet and the forms for seeking certification are available through the Registrar’s Office. Elon Law students who have completed at least three semesters or trimesters (or 43 credit hours) and are in good standing are eligible for third-year practice certification. The North Carolina State Bar issues the third-year practice certifications. The certification process is detailed in the North Carolina State Bar Rules Governing Practical Training of Law Students, Subchapter C, Sections .0200 through .0207.

Certification allows students to represent indigent clients, the state in criminal prosecutions, a criminal defendant represented by the public defender, and government agencies, under the supervision of a licensed North Carolina attorney. Potential employers include government agencies and non-profits such as Legal Aid, the Public Defender’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. Students working with private law firms are also eligible for certification, but their certification extends only to pro bono matters. If a student or supervising attorney has questions about the scope of the representation allowed under the certification, they should consult the rules and/or contact the North Carolina State Bar.