State Approaches To Certification
This summary is intended as a guide. Please refer to your state's rules regarding communication. You should also review the states with special requirements. Further information on state regulation of certification can be found on the ABA website.
All three ABC programs are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA reports that fifteen (16) states currently recognize ABA accreditation as the sole or partial criteria for approving certifying organizations in the state. These states are:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
ABC Certification is a prerequisite for certification in Louisiana and Tennessee.
In addition, ABC has gained accreditation in the following 8 states:
- Alabama
- California
- Connecticut (business and consumer bankruptcy only)
- Indiana
- Minnesota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
Some states have rules that are favorable to certification. These 7 states are:*
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Oregon
*A Favorable rules change is pending before the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Ohio, Louisiana and Tennessee have Unique State Requirements.
