Please note that the New York Bar is the jurisdiction of choice for most of our foreign trained attorneys. Most other state jurisdictions have requirements for the exam that either preclude or make it more difficult for the foreign trained attorney to be eligible to sit for the exam.

Our international students who are thinking about taking a bar should first and foremost consider the New York Bar and its course requirements. We suggest that one think about these course requirements before the Fall semester begins.

Other New York Bar requirements include:

• a minimum of 20 credits from the ABA-accredited law school in the U.S.
• two basic courses in U.S. law
• the student must also complete the program of studies in which they are earning their credits (for example:  if you are enrolled in an LL.M. program, you need to have been awarded your LL.M.)
• Credits must be earned at the Law School, and in "courses."
• Graduate Independent Research credits do not count toward the 20 credits, nor do non-law courses taken at the Law Center.
• NOTE:  The LL.M. Academic Externship Seminar is considered a "traditional law class", and does count toward the 20 credits.
  

Our International students should refer to the following site regarding information about the New York Bar http://www.nybarexam.org/foreign.htm, and review the instructions on this site if you intend to sit for the exam.

Please note that the application for the New York bar requires the submission of an official transcript; an official transcript is one that contains an original seal or certification. While originals will be accepted and are considered the best proof of our legal education, please keep in mind that they will not be returned. Transcripts which do not contain the original law school stamp or certification will not be evaluated by the bar examiners.

International students intending to sit for the New York Bar must arrange with the school which awarded their first degree in law, to have their official transcript sent directly to the New York Bar. The Law Center cannot send its copy of this transcript to the New York Bar because we must maintain documentation demonstrating the basis for the admission of the student to our degree programs.

Please note that the New York bar site also states that: All requests for evaluation should be sent to the Board at least six months prior to the examination for which the applicant plans to apply.

Social Security Numbers (SSN) and the New York Bar:
The application for the New York Bar asks for your social security number. The New York Board of Bar Examiners has advised that a foreign attorney who does not have a SSN can leave the question blank [unanswered] and they will assign a number for Bar purposes.

 

For other state bar exam requirements, please review the guidelines available directly from the state bar associations.

Revised January 15, 2008 (mbj)