Everything You Need To Know About The Bar Exam Application Process

The Bar exam application process differs by state because different states have different laws that govern them. And the process may involve several steps that many people may find daunting. Understanding what Bar exam application involves can help estimate the timelines and plan adequately as you seek to become a licensed attorney. This article will provide everything you need to know about Bar applications and answer your questions. 

Step-by-Step Bar Exam Application Process

The Bar application process is a lengthy process involving several steps. Each state has its own admission process, and you must pass the state-specific exam to practice law in that state. Start a year or earlier before the Bar exam date to be safe. 

The common steps for Bar admission in the U.S. are:

• Step 1: Earn a Juris Doctor degree (or equivalent)
• Step 2: Take and pass the MPRE
• Step 3: Get an NCBE account
• Step 4: Apply for the Bar exam
• Step 5: Complete Your state’s Character and Fitness process
• Step 6: Submit a notarized A&R form
• Step 7: Take and pass the Bar exam
• Step 8: Apply for Admission to the Bar

Remember that every jurisdiction may have its unique requirements and steps for admission. Contact the state’s Bar admission agency for the most updated information.

Step 1: Earn a Juris Doctor Degree (or Equivalent)

One of the requirements for applying to the Bar in many jurisdictions is a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. In this case, an approved school means a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). 

Some jurisdictions provide exceptions. West Virginia, Tennessee, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, can allow candidates to take the Bar exam if they hold a degree from a school approved by state bodies. Your school doesn’t have to be accredited by the ABA. 

Foreign-trained lawyers may find it challenging to take the Bar exam in the U.S. Some states, like New York, New Hampshire, California, Alabama, and Virginia, allow law graduates from foreign universities to take it. The ABA must review the degree before the candidate can sit for the bar exam. The approval process can take up to a year. Once accepted, the international student can take the bar exam without completing any additional courses.

Only four states—California, Washington, Virginia, and Vermont—will allow you to take the Bar exam without graduating from law school. Instead, you can work on an apprenticeship with a practicing judge or attorney. California refers to this practice as the Law Office Study Program. 

The requirements to sit for the Bar exam if you choose to forego law school are: 

• Spend a minimum of18 hours per week in a practicing attorney’s office for four years
• Pass the First-Year Law students’ exam
• Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam 
• Show a positive moral character

Step 2: Take and Pass the MPRE

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a requirement for Bar admission in almost all states of the U.S. It is also referred to as the ethics test and is administered separately from the rest of the Bar exam. Only two states, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico, don’t require passing the MPRE for Bar admission. 

The MPRE contains 60 multiple-choice questions that you must answer in two hours. Only 50 questions among the 60 will count towards the score. You cannot tell the difference between the scored questions and the pretest ones, so you must treat all the questions as scored questions. 

The MPRE is administered three times a year, i.e., in March, August, and November. A $125 fee applies for regular registrations, while late registrations pay $220. Some states may allow you to take the MPRE after passing the Bar exam. 

If you have passed the professional responsibility law school course, you can use it in Connecticut and New Jersey instead of taking and passing the MPRE. 

Step 3: Create an NCBE Account

Once you create the NCBE account, you get a unique NCBE number. The number will be checked when you want to take the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). All states, except Louisiana, take the MBE as part of the Bar exam. 

When creating your account, don’t provide your school email. Avoid using .edu emails, too. Ensure that you provide an email that you will always access. You can provide your school or .edu email as alternate email addresses. Remember to enter a strong password. 

Step 4: Apply for the Bar Exam

You must apply to sit for the Bar exam in your state. Every state independently processes applications to determine who will sit for their Bar exam. The jurisdiction also reserves the right to decide who gets admitted to the Bar. Depending on your state, you may be required to take an additional state law course. 

Every state charges differently for the Bar exam. Attorneys, repeaters, and first-time applicants may also pay different amounts. Also, check the laptop or software fee. A late filing fee may also apply, and it varies across states. 

Step 5: Complete Your State’s Character, and Fitness Process

The character and fitness process checks your moral authority to practice law. Be honest when answering all the questions. The questions revolve around your academic qualifications, work, and financial history. They will also examine your criminal record. 

The process can be extensive, and you may need time to gather all the required information. Even if you have something to report, don’t panic when talking. A candid response shows that you accepted responsibility for the actions done in the past and are seeking to improve. 

You also have to maintain consistency in your answers. The Character and Fitness Committee compares the data you provided when requesting admission to law school with the data on the Bar application. Omissions on either application will send a red flag to the committee. An in-depth investigation may follow to prove your current good moral character. 

Some states require that you complete the character and fitness process before the Bar exam, while others will let you submit after. Check the specific terms for your state. In some states, if you’ve already submitted a Character and Fitness application, you might be required to submit an update. 

Step 6: The A&R Form

You authorize the character and fitness teams to run a thorough background check on you by submitting a notarized authorization and release form. Some states will allow you to submit the A&R form by uploading it to your online account. Others may require a mailed form. The postmark date must not be later than the Bar exam application deadline. 

You must sign the A&R form in the presence of a notary. Your Bar exam application may be rejected if you don’t submit a notarized A&R form.

Step 7: Take and Pass the Bar Exam

The final step is to take and pass the Bar exam. 

Step 8: Apply for Admission to the Bar

After you have passed all the necessary steps, you must apply for admission to the Bar. What follows after submitting Bar Application forms varies widely depending on the state.

For instance, the process is simple in California, where the admittee only has to take an oath before a state judge. The admittee and judge (or notary) will sign a form confirming the application.

When the State Bar of California receives the completed form, it adds the applicant’s name to a list of those who have also been recommended for admission. 

The Supreme Court of California then validates the list at its next weekly meeting. The ratification confirms that everyone on the list is now an attorney. 

In other states, the admittees must physically attend a court session to take an oath. They take the oath of admission in open court and cannot take it before any judge or notary. 

Once an applicant gets sworn in and recognized as an attorney, they can start practicing law in their state. They can file pleadings and represent clients in courts of original jurisdiction and appellate courts. The highest court in the state issues a certificate and membership card to the new admittees. 

The procedure is different in New York. Instead of getting admitted by the highest court in the state, appellate courts recognize new attorneys working or living within its jurisdiction in New York. The third department of the appellate division can also admit attorneys who don’t live or work in New York but would want to practice law in New York. 

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How Much Does Bar Application Cost?

Whether you have already graduated or not, it is crucial to understand how much you will spend to become a licensed attorney. From filing for the Bar exam, laptop fees, license fees, and other costs that you will encounter, the process can be costly. Estimating the cost will help you prepare better before embarking on the journey. 

Here are the 6 types of expenses you should expect to incur along the way:

1. Exam Preparation Costs

Before taking the exam, you must prepare and study rigorously. The Bar exam covers many subjects that require comprehensive studying, so you may need to enroll in a bar exam review course. Several courses are available, but they might cost a fortune. 

For instance, the Kaplan prep course costs between $1,800 and $4,000. An alternative is the BarMax prep course, which will cost you no less than $1,000. You may decide to pay for only a section of a particular course. e.g., the MBE on the Kaplan course. 

2. Cost of Taking the MPRE

Most states demand that candidates for the Bar pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility exams. Some states may need you to pass the MPRE before taking the Bar exam. The cost of regular registration for the MPRE is $125. Late registrations pay $220.  

3. Bar Registration Costs

The cost of registration for the Bar exam varies by state. Every state determines how much a candidate will pay. The cost can range from $150 to $1500, and you pay the money directly to the State’s Board of Law Examiners. 

Repeaters may also pay less than first-timers. Licensed attorneys seeking to practice law in another state may also need to take that state’s Bar exam. A licensed attorney will pay $1600 to take the Bar exam in Florida. 

4. Bar Exam Software/ Laptop Fees

Typing on a laptop provides convenience but will come at an extra fee. You can pay up to $200 for Bar exam software. Note that the costs vary depending on the state. 

5. Accommodation Costs

The Bar exam happens over two days and can happen away from home. You will pay for transport, food, and accommodation during that period. The best approach is to sort out travel and accommodation arrangements early. It will help you get an excellent place to stay and prevent overspending at the last minute. 

6. Expenses After the Exam

You might think spending stops once you complete the Bar exam, but that’s not the case. You’ll still need to spend on character and fitness examination, notary fees, filing fees, and many other costs. Check with your state to understand the costs that could be involved. Remember that paying early can save you money, so don’t wait for the deadline. 

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Bar Exam Schedule For 2023

The National Conference of Bar Examiners conducts the Bar exam every year. It happens on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. The United Bar Exam (UBE) has been adopted in 36 states. The Bar exam involves three exams; the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), the Multistate Performance Exam (MPT), and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).

The MEE and the MPT are administered on the first day of the 2-day exam period, i.e., on the last Tuesday of February and July. The NCBE administers the MBE every year on the last Wednesday of February and July. 

Both the MEE and the MPT last are allocated 3 hours each. The time allocated for the MBE is 6 hours. Therefore, the total time to complete the Bar exam is 12 hours. 

For the 2023 Bar exam, the dates are as follows:

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Bar Exam Schedule for Non-UBE States

Most non-UBE states also administer their Bar exams over two days using the UBE calendar. Some states like Delaware, Louisiana, and Nevada administer their Bar exam over three days. You can contact the State’s Board of Bar Examiners to understand the requirements. 

The July 2023 Bar exam application deadlines in the non-UBE jurisdictions are as follows:

If you’re wondering how to know if your Bar exam application has been received, the board of Bar examiners in most states sends an email to confirm receipt of your application. You may have to check the spam folder. 

Remember that you can withdraw your Bar exam application by sending the Board a written notice of withdrawal. Most states will not refund any fees paid. 

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Schedule Your Time and Pass the Bar Exam

The entire Bar exam application process can be hectic and costly. The exam also demands your preparation and dedication. If you plan well, you will allocate enough time for studying and reviewing your course and head to the exam when fully prepared. 

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