Why Board Certification Matters in Texas
Learn what it means, why it matters, and how to find an attorney whose expertise has been tested and verified.
What Board Certification Means
When you are looking for a lawyer, you will see all kinds of claims — "experienced," "aggressive," "top-rated." But what do those words actually mean? Usually, not much. They are marketing language, and any lawyer can use them.
Board certification is different. It is a formal credential granted by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an organization established by the Texas Supreme Court in 1974. A board certified attorney has met specific standards in their area of law that go well beyond simply having a license to practice.
To earn board certification, an attorney must demonstrate substantial experience in their specialty area, pass a rigorous written examination, complete advanced continuing legal education, and be evaluated by fellow attorneys and judges who know their work firsthand.
"It is not automatic. It is not bought. It is earned."
Why It Matters When You Are Hiring a Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer for a serious legal matter is one of the most important decisions you can make. Whether you are facing criminal charges, going through a divorce, dealing with a business dispute, planning your estate, or handling an immigration matter, you want to know that your attorney has deep, proven experience in that specific area of law.
Board certification gives you a way to verify that. It is an objective credential — not a self-given title, not a paid award, and not an advertising claim. It tells you that an independent organization has reviewed the attorney's qualifications and confirmed that they meet recognized professional standards.
Only about 6% to 8% of all licensed attorneys in Texas are board certified. That small number is not an accident. The standards are demanding, and they are meant to be.
Board Certified vs. General Marketing Claims
Not every attorney who says they "handle" a type of case has deep expertise in that area. Texas law allows any licensed attorney to practice in any area of law, regardless of their actual experience. So a lawyer can advertise that they take criminal cases, family cases, or personal injury cases without ever having tried one of those cases in a courtroom.
Board certification changes the equation.
| Feature | General Marketing Claim | Board Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides? | The attorney decides for themselves | An independent board evaluates the attorney |
| Experience required? | No minimum standard | Years of substantial, verified experience |
| Examination? | None | Rigorous written exam in the specialty area |
| Peer review? | None | Evaluated by judges and fellow attorneys |
| Ongoing requirements? | Only the standard CLE every attorney must complete | 100 hours of specialty CLE every five years, plus recertification |
| Can they call themselves a specialist? | No — only board certified attorneys may use that term in Texas | Yes — this is the only credential in Texas that permits use of "specialist" or "expert" |
Who decides?
General Marketing Claim
The attorney decides for themselves
Board Certified
An independent board evaluates the attorney
Experience required?
General Marketing Claim
No minimum standard
Board Certified
Years of substantial, verified experience
Examination?
General Marketing Claim
None
Board Certified
Rigorous written exam in the specialty area
Peer review?
General Marketing Claim
None
Board Certified
Evaluated by judges and fellow attorneys
Ongoing requirements?
General Marketing Claim
Only the standard CLE every attorney must complete
Board Certified
100 hours of specialty CLE every five years, plus recertification
Can they call themselves a specialist?
General Marketing Claim
No — only board certified attorneys may use that term in Texas
Board Certified
Yes — this is the only credential in Texas that permits use of "specialist" or "expert"
This distinction matters. When someone says "I'm board certified in criminal law," it means something specific and verifiable. When someone says "I handle criminal cases," it does not.
Who Oversees Board Certification in Texas
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) is the only organization authorized by the Texas Supreme Court to certify attorneys as specialists in specific areas of law. TBLS has been doing this since 1974, making Texas home to one of the oldest and most respected legal specialization programs in the country.
TBLS is governed by a twelve-member board appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas. It currently recognizes 28 specialty areas for attorneys and 8 for paralegals.
The organization also maintains a free public directory at tbls.org/findlawyer where anyone can search for a board certified attorney by specialty area, name, city, county, or ZIP code.
Search for a Board Certified Attorney
Ready to search? The official Texas Board of Legal Specialization directory lets you search for a board certified attorney by specialty area, name, city, county, or ZIP code.
This directory is maintained by TBLS and is the authoritative source for verifying an attorney's board certification status.
Search the Official TBLS Directory
You can search by any of the following:
Specialty Area
Choose from 28 areas of legal specialization
Attorney Name
Search for a specific lawyer
City or County
Find board certified attorneys in your area
ZIP Code
Find attorneys exactly near you
This search is conducted through the official Texas Board of Legal Specialization website.
Common Questions
Board certification is a credential granted by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization to attorneys who have demonstrated special competence in a particular area of law. It requires years of experience, advanced legal education, peer review by judges and attorneys, and passage of a written examination.
No. Only about 6% to 8% of all licensed attorneys in Texas hold board certification. It is a voluntary credential that requires significant effort to earn and maintain.
No. No credential can guarantee the outcome of a legal matter. Board certification indicates that an attorney has met recognized professional standards in a specific area of law. It is one important factor to consider, but every case is different.
Board certification provides an objective, independently verified way to evaluate an attorney's qualifications. When you are making a decision that could affect your freedom, your family, your finances, or your future, having a way to identify attorneys with demonstrated expertise can help you make a more informed choice.
Yes. The TBLS directory allows you to search by specialty area, attorney name, city, county, or ZIP code.
Need a Lawyer in Texas?
Start With the Official Board Certification Directory.
When the stakes are high, the credential matters. Search for a board certified attorney through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — the only organization authorized by the Texas Supreme Court to certify legal specialists in the state.
Search the Official TBLS DirectoryThis search is conducted through the official Texas Board of Legal Specialization website.