NOTE ABOUT THIS WEBPAGE:<\/strong> The information provided below is designed as general guidance to help students get started on the bar application process.\u00a0 Because our students apply to a range of state bars, we cannot provide individualized guidance through this website. We also are not providing information on all state bar requirements through this website.\u00a0 We expect each student to take responsibility for researching the exam requirements and application process for the jurisdiction in which he\/she plans to apply for admission.\u00a0 We urge students to pay careful attention to deadlines and to fully research the overall application process in his\/her preferred jurisdiction.<\/p>\n In order to be licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction, applicants must apply for admission to the bar of that state’s highest court.\u00a0 Federal court admission comes later and may be granted based on an attorney’s active state license.\u00a0 Admission requirements vary from state to state, but all states require that applicants pass a bar examination and virtually all require that the applicant pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), and undergo a Character and Fitness evaluation.<\/p>\n Frequently Asked Questions about the Bar Certification process<\/p>\n Most states have adopted multiple bar examination formats given over a two-to-three day period at the end of February and the end of\u00a0 July.<\/p>\n The MBE is a 6-hour, 200-question, multiple-choice examination covering Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.\u00a0 The MBE is required for admission to the bars of all but two U.S. jurisdictions (Louisiana and Puerto Rico) and is administered by participating jurisdictions on the last Wednesday in February and the last Wednesday in July of each year.<\/p>\n Depending on the particular jurisdiction, the following standardized tests may be given in addition to or in lieu of the MBE.<\/p>\n You should check individual state bar admission requirements for their bar exam deadlines, but frequently the deadline for the February bar exam is the preceding November and the deadline for the July bar exam is the preceding April.\u00a0 Keep in mind that it might take weeks to gather all the materials required in order to apply and many jurisdictions have no late filing option.<\/p>\n Application requirements vary from state to state and can include certification requests from Georgetown Law<\/strong><\/a>, a certified birth certificate, certified fingerprints and a certified writing sample.\u00a0 Other materials commonly required include your DMV record, credit record, and pro bono service affidavit (NY).<\/p>\n While Georgetown Law does not endorse any particular bar review course, taking such a course is recommended given the large volume of material that will be covered on the bar exam. Listed below are links to popular bar review courses:<\/p>\n In addition to the state bar examination, most U.S. jurisdictions require applicants to take the MPRE for admission to their respective bars (currently only Puerto Rico and Wisconsin do not require it).<\/p>\n In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction.\u00a0 Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction.\u00a0 Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every jurisdiction requires bar applicants to meet the burden of showing they are of good moral character and otherwise fit to practice law.\u00a0 Problematic issues can include the existence of a criminal record, untreated mental illness, untreated substance abuse and financial irresponsibility.\u00a0 Bar examiners might also compare your bar application to your law school application and\/or your supporting bar admission materials, and admission could be difficult if there are any omissions or contradicting information among these documents.\u00a0 If you have any questions or concerns about the character and fitness requirements, please contact Professor and Georgetown Law Ethics Counsel Michael Frisch at 202-662-9926 or at frischm@law.georgetown.edu<\/span>(This link opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n If you have already secured employment, get in touch with your employer to learn more about their policy on bar admission and expense reimbursement (including reimbursement of bar review courses). Please be aware that some employers will only provide reimbursement for bar-related expenses for designated state bars, and some do not provide any reimbursement.<\/p>\n Bar loans are private, credit-based student loans designed to assist students and recent graduates with the costs of preparing for and taking the bar exam. Interest rates on these loans are variable and none of these loans are eligible for Income-Based Repayment or Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Georgetown’s LRAP, however, will provide up to $100\/month for Bar Loans (for incomes up to $75,000).<\/p>\n Each jurisdiction has its own requirements and deadlines to request testing accommodations for their respective bar exams.\u00a0 Such requests should be made well in advance of the deadline in order to allow sufficient time for review.\u00a0 Please be aware that the process of providing accommodations used by Georgetown Law is not necessarily the same for receiving bar exam accommodations.\u00a0 For additional assistance and information, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 202-662-4042.<\/p>\n Information about requesting accommodations on the MPRE can be found at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information about applying for a state bar exam as a foreign-educated attorney, please check LLM Academic Services’ webpage.<\/p>\n Please be aware that state bars impose restrictions on the use of computers, and often require the download of certain software, during the bar examination.\u00a0 It is imperative that you check with your jurisdiction before your exam date.<\/p>\n District of Columbia:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n DC is a UBE jurisdiction.\u00a0 DC is also unique in that you may take the bar exam in another jurisdiction, including a non-UBE jurisdiction, and waive into DC based on your admission in that jurisdiction.\u00a0 (This process can take up to a year.)<\/p>\n Maryland:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n As of July 2019, Maryland is a UBE<\/a> jurisdiction.\u00a0 You must file both a Character Questionnaire and a Notice of Intent to Take the UBE in Maryland to take the exam.\u00a0 You will also be required to review outlines and complete confirmatory questions (an online quiz) of a Maryland law component.\u00a0 Maryland also requires an in-person or electronic interview<\/span>(This link opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/span><\/a> regarding character and fitness.\u00a0 For questions regarding this interview, please contact\u00a0Professor Michael Frisch<\/span>(This link opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n Massachusetts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Massachusetts is a UBE<\/a> jurisdiction.\u00a0 Notably, you must achieve a passing score on the MPRE before<\/u> you may sit for the bar in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n Texas:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Texas bar exam is two-and-a-half days, and is offered in several locations <\/a>throughout the state.\u00a0Beginning February 2021, Texas will begin administering the UBE<\/a>.\u00a0 As of August 2019, Texas has not yet determined when it will begin accepting transferred UBE scores from other jurisdictions, but it will likely <\/a>be by July 2020.<\/p>\n Virginia:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The Virginia bar exam is administered in one location, generally not in Northern Virginia, each February and July.\u00a0 Note that the application and the character and fitness questionnaire must be received<\/u> by the deadline, and you may file them as early as 90 days before the deadline.\u00a0 Please be aware that, in addition to the rules each state has regarding the bar exam, Virginia has a strict dress code.<\/p>\n New York<\/a> and <\/strong>New York State Skills Competency Requirement:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n New York is a UBE<\/a> jurisdiction, but also imposes additional requirements.\u00a0 Besides passing the bar exam, you must also certify 50 pro bono hours<\/a> and pass the New York Law Exam (NYLE).\u00a0 The New York Law Exam is offered four times per year<\/a>, and requires you to register in advance, and to complete the New York Law Course<\/a>.The application also requires a handwriting<\/a> certification that you\u2019ll need to work on with the Registrar\u2019s office AFTER receiving the relevant paperwork from the bar.<\/p>\n Unlike most other jurisdictions, you will complete the Character and Fitness application after taking the bar exam.<\/p>\n You will also turn in your pro bono hour certification<\/a> after the exam, but if you\u2019ll need to certify DC-area internships or externships as part of your hours, you should begin the process while you\u2019re still in DC.\u00a0 For questions, please contact Georgetown Law\u2019s pro bono coordinator, Jen Tschirch<\/span>(This link opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n Registration for the July NY Bar Exam typically opens April 1, with a deadline of April 30.<\/p>\n Be aware that not all test-takers may take the exam in New York City.\u00a0 The bar exam is also administered in White Plains, Albany, Buffalo, and Saratoga.\u00a0 After registering for the bar in April, you will receive an email (likely in May) listing all available locations<\/a> for your test – please take the steps outlined in the email promptly, as assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n California:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In addition to registering for the California bar, you will also complete the Character & Fitness application.\u00a0 This part of the process can take 6 months or longer to be approved, so students should complete the C&F application before registering for the exam itself (consider completing this in January of your 3L year for a July bar exam).<\/p>\nOverview of Bar Application and Exam Procedures<\/h3>\n
Bar FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Bar Exams<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Other Standardized Bar Exams<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\nThe MPT consists of 90-minute tasks requiring the application of fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation.\u00a0 Skills tested are factual analysis, legal analysis and reasoning, problem solving, identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas, written communication, and organization and management of a legal task.<\/li>\n
\nThe MEE consists of 30-minute essay questions. Areas of law tested are Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Secured Transactions, Torts, and Trusts and Estates.<\/li>\n
\nThe UBE tests knowledge and skills that every lawyer should be able to demonstrate prior to becoming licensed to practice law.\u00a0 It is composed of the MEE, two MPT tasks, and the MBE.\u00a0 It is uniformly administered, graded, and scored and results in a portable score that can be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions.\u00a0 UBE jurisdictions may impose additional requirements on applicants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhen to Apply<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Materials Needed<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Bar Review Courses<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Character and Fitness<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Financial Considerations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Disability-Related Accommodations for the Bar Exam<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Disability-Related Accommodations for the MPRE<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Information for Foreign-Trained Attorneys<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Specific State Bar Requirements<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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