From 1853 through 2002, more than 246,000 attorneys have been admitted to practice before the bar of the Supreme Court. No admissions records exist for the period between 1790 and 1853. Prior to 1925, no written applications were required for admission, and attorneys were admitted on oral motion by bar members. The number of living members of the Supreme Court bar is not known.
Between four thousand and five thousand attorneys are annually admitted to practice before the bar. Each of them must have been admitted to practice previously in the highest court of a state, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia for at least three years. The applicant must be free from any adverse disciplinary action and must be of good moral and professional character. As evidence of these qualifications, the applicant must provide a personal statement, a certificate from an official of the state court to which he is admitted and a statement of two sponsors who are members of the Supreme Court bar and who know but are not related to the applicant.
Based upon this documentation, the clerk notifies the applicant of his acceptance. Upon paying the required fee ($100 in 2003), the applicant may then be admitted by taking the oath of admission either before a notary public or in open Court, swearing that he will conduct himself uprightly and according to law and will support the Constitution of the United States.
— Noel J. Augustyn
