- Upon certification as a legal specialist in workers’ compensation law, attorneys are required to pay an annual fee to cover administrative fees and maintain their certification with the Review and Certifying Board. The certification year runs from July 1 through June 30.
- Certified attorneys are also required to submit reports of continuing legal education from the Supreme Court Continuing Legal Education Board, for the period July 1 through June 30, evidencing the completion of at least nine hours of mandatory continuing legal education in the field of workers’ compensation as required by Section 6.a.1.g) of Article IX of the PBA Workers Compensation Law Section Bylaws. Get the list of examples of approved courses and seminars.
- Certified attorneys will receive an invoice and letter in May reminding them of this requirement. No fee will be due during the reporting year immediately following Recertification.
Certified attorneys are permitted to use the following language when communicating about your certification to the public: "Certified as a specialist in the practice of workers' compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Section on Workers' Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court." This language can be used on your website, marketing brochures, news releases and other public communications.
In accordance with Section 10 of Article IX of the PBA Workers’ Compensation Bylaws, as it pertains to the Certification Committee and program, this Certified Specialists Designation Discontinuation Policy will be effective March 1, 2021.
Certified Specialists Designation Discontinuation Policy
Attorneys whose certification for specialization has discontinued due to resignation, revocation, suspension or any other stipulations in Article IX of the Bylaws which terminate certification, shall discontinue the using of the Certified Specialist designation. Attorneys must cease and desist the use of the designation, whether expressly or implicitly, from professional titles, letterhead, business cards, signage, websites, advertisements and social media within 30 days of termination. Furthermore, language may not be used in a misleading, inaccurate, fraudulent, or illegal manner, or for other improper purposes that may infer an actively certified status.
The PBA Workers’ Compensation Certification Committee reserves the right to take action through the PBA Review & Certifying Board, which answers to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in the event of any unauthorized or impermissible use of the designation.