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Bar Admission
Find out more about each state's bar exam.
Registration
Eleven states require law students to register for the bar well before applying to take the bar examination. Seven of these require registration during 1L year, one as early as 60 days after starting law school. Hefty fees may be added to your bar application fee if you don't register on time. Check for your state's registration requirement.
Character and Fitness
Bar admission applications may require you to do extensive research and produce supporting documentation for questions touching on character and fitness. If you have any blemishes on your record, start gathering appropriate documentation at least six months before the application deadline.
Application Deadlines
All states administer the bar exam in July; most also give the exam in February. Some require applications as early as 6 1/2 months before the bar exam. While many states offer late registration, you may pay dearly for the privilege. See a chart showing each state's application deadlines. See also the National Conference of Bar Examiners' (NCBE's) Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements.
Subject Matter and Multistate Exams (MBE, MEE, MPT, & MPRE)
Although most states test a common core of subjects, each has individual requirements: for example, water law is tested in Idaho, bankruptcy in Vermont, and Indian law in Washington. See a guide to subjects tested in all 50 states. See also the detailed lists of subjects tested on each individual state's information sheet, referenced at the top of this page.
Most states use a combination of state-prepared questions and multistate questions, both essay and multiple choice, prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). See a synopsis of the bar exam for all 50 states. Sample questions and subject matter outlines for all multistate tests are provided on the NCBE website. The three multistate tests prepared by the NCBE are
Most states also require passing
Online Bar Essay Questions
While most states have old exams questions and model answers available for purchase or at state law libraries, 20 states have past essay and performance test questions online.
Bar Review Courses
Be an informed consumer when choosing between the many commercial bar review courses available.
Pass the Bar the First Time
Based on national statistics as well as a study of University of Idaho students who took the Idaho and Washington bars, this Powerpoint on the College of Law Intranet pinpoints what you should do to pass the bar exam the first time.
Reciprocity
Several jurisdictions offer reciprocal bar admission to practicing lawyers in good standing from selected other jurisdictions. Most states offering reciprocity require from three to ten years of practice in another jurisdiction before reciprocity is available. More information is available from the NCBE's Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions Requirements and each state bar.
Idaho recently expanded the number of jurisdictions with which it has reciprocity agreements. Subject to change, Idaho's reciprocal jurisdictions are:
Financial Considerations
Be financially and psychologically prepared for heavy expenses during the bar review period. Common expenses include
- bar application fees (up to $800 depending on the jurisdiction, plus any late fees)
- bar review course fees (up to $4,000 depending on the jurisdiction and type of course)
- moving and household expenses (if you move between law school graduation and the bar exam)
- living expenses, and
- travel and housing expenses to take the bar exam.
Bar exam loans
Many lenders offer bar study loans to law students with co-signers or good credit histories. Among them are Sallie Mae, Wells Fargo, Key Bank, Access Group, Nellie Mae, and Student Loan Express. Investigate loans carefully, especially for fees: terms and conditions vary widely.
Bar exam scholarships
Several organizations give bar review scholarships to help cover the costs associated with preparing for the bar exam. See the External Scholarships page for more information.
The Patent Bar
Applicants with a scientific or technical background who pass the patent bar exam of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can be admitted to practice as a patent attorney or patent agent. Find out more about the patent bar exam.
Last updated 2008-01-18 |