The Character & Fitness Healthcare Form addresses recent mental health and chemical or psychological dependency matters. The purpose of such inquiries is to determine the current fitness of an applicant to practice law.
The Board does not, by its questions, seek information that is fairly characterized as situational counseling. Examples of situational counseling include stress counseling, domestic counseling, grief counseling, and counseling for eating or sleeping disorders. Generally, the Board does not view these types of counseling as germane to the issue of whether an applicant is qualified to practice law.
If any of the following inquiries is applicable to you, the Character & Fitness Healthcare Form must be completed by your Licensed Healthcare Professional(s).
- Have you been chemically or psychologically dependent upon or treated for the use of any drug, including alcohol?
- Within the past five (5) years, have you been diagnosed with or have you been treated for any of the following: schizophrenia or any other psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar or manic depressive mood disorder, major depression, antisocial personality disorder, or any other condition which impaired your behavior, judgment, understanding, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to function in school, work, or other important life activities? If you are uncertain of a diagnosis, it is your responsibility to check with your licensed healthcare professional.
- Do you currently have any condition or impairment, including, but not limited to, (1) any related to substance or alcohol abuse or (2) a mental, emotional, or nervous disorder or condition not reported above, which in any way affects, or if untreated could affect, your ability to perform any of the obligations and responsibilities of a practicing lawyer in a competent and professional manner? “Currently” means recently enough so that the condition could reasonably have an impact on your ability to function as a practicing lawyer.
Click here to download the Character & Fitness Healthcare Form.