Qualifications for Admission to the Bar
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Quick Tips for the California Bar
All bar forms are available on the California Bar website.
Bar applications for the February bar are available on line beginning October 1 each year.
Bar applications for the July bar are available on line beginning March 1 each year.
California Bar Registration
If you intend to practice law in the state of California, you must register with the California State Bar. If, beginning your second year of law school, you want to participate in Practical Training as a Law student, you must register with the California Sate Bar even if you do not intend to practice law in California upon graduation.
New York Bar Exam
Students graduating from King Hall who plan to take the Bar Exam in New York, will need to show they have met the New York Bar’s Skills Competency Requirement and Professional Values Bar Admission Requirement. King Hall has developed a plan to meet the New York Bar’s Pathway 1 requirement. To review the King Hall Pathway 1 Plan, click here.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
In addition to passing the California Bar Examination, applicants for admission to practice law in California must take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in accordance with Rule VIII of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California. Applicants may take the examination anytime after completing their first year of study and after registering with the Committee of Bar Examiners (Committee). The required minimum score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination in California is an ungrounded, scaled score of 79.00. A separate application must be filed for the MPRE.
Moral Character Applications
California Bar Moral Character Requirements
In addition to passing the required examinations, applicants seeking admission to practice law in California must file An Application for Determination of Moral Character. The application is a separate form and initiates the moral character review process. That application may be filed at any time but applicants should be aware that the review process is very time consuming and will usually take up to 180 days to complete. Applicants are not eligible for admission until a positive moral character determination has been made and all other admission requirements have been met.
You will be permitted to take the Bar exam without clearance; however, you will not be certified to practice until your clearance has been completed. This could pose undue hardship to you in your job placement. If you have any reason to doubt your ability to be granted clearance, the earlier you apply, the better off you are likely to be. If something negative is reported during clearance, the Committee will try to provide alternatives for clearance rather than deny admission. Few people are barred from taking the Bar exam.
Fingerprinting
Available in Davis at PDQ. No appointment necessary. PDQ carries necessary forms for fingerprinting for Bar applications.