Bar Information
All bar forms will be accepted by the Office of the Registrar in electronic format. Please scan & email your completed and signed bar form to [email protected].
New York Court of Appeals Waiver
State Bar Examination
State Bar Examination: Most states administer the bar examinations the last week of February and the last week of July, with applications due approximately 4 months prior to the exam. Students must be aware of other states submission requirements and deadlines. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (http://www.ncbex.org) publishes an annual guide of the Bar Admission Requirements, please check the state in which you plan to practice for its rules and deadlines.
Amendments to Law School Application
JD & LLM New York Bar Examination Application
New York administers the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). For more information, please visit the UBE page from the New York Board of Law Examiners website: http://www.nybarexam.org/UBE/UBE.html.
The application period for the February examination is November 1st through November 30th, and the application period for the July examination is April 1st through April 30th. You must file your application with the New York State Board of Law Examiners (NYS BOLE): http://www.nybarexam.org/forms/forms.htm.
JD & LLM New York Bar Certificate of Attendance
Upon applying to sit for the New York Bar Examination, you will be required to complete your Certificate of Attendance form. You should (a) have a copy of your transcript in front of you when you log into the Applicant Service Portal, and (b) give yourself sufficient time to complete these questions before the expiration of the application deadline (April 30th for the July examination and November 30th for the February examination). Do not wait until the last minute to apply for the exam and complete your Certificate of Attendance.
- JD applicants who have questions while completing their Certificate of Attendance should contact the Office of the Registrar ([email protected]) for assistance.
- LLM applicants who have questions while completing their Certificate of Attendance should contact the LLM Office ([email protected]) for assistance.
The Office of the Registrar will be certifying your Certificate of Attendance forms (and submitting official transcripts for LLM applicants) through the Board of Law Examiners portal by July 1st for the July examination and February 1st for the February examination.
- Please note, our office cannot certify Certificate of Attendance forms and submit official transcripts (LLM applicants only) until your degree has been conferred. For applicants graduating and applying to sit for the February examination in the same year, we cannot certify or submit your documents until February 1st because February degrees are not conferred until February 1st.
New York State 50 Hour Pro Bono
The requirement must be satisfied before filing an application for admission. Some or all of the 50 hours can be earned after graduation (including after taking the bar exam), but before filing for admission. Please visit http://www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/probono/baradmissionreqs.shtml for more information.
- Memorandum for the 50 Hour Pro Bono Requirement for New York State Bar Admission
- Instructions for Juris Doctor applicants completing curriculum questions on bar exam application
Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
New York requires the MPRE. The exam is administered in November, March, and August of each year. Applicants must take and pass the MPRE within 3 years either before or after passing the New York Bar Examination, measured from the date the applicant sat for each exam. For more information visit http://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre/.
New York Law Course & New York Law Exam
In conjunction with the adoption of the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) in New York, the State Board of Law Examiners was directed by the Court of Appeals to create an on-line course, known as the New York Law Course (NYLC), and an on-line, open book exam on New York specific law, known as the New York Law Exam (NYLE).
As with the MPRE discussed above, a candidate seeking admission in New York must take and pass the NYLC, the NYLE, and earn a passing score on New York’s UBE, prior to being certified to one of our Appellate Division departments for a character and fitness investigation. The NYLE is offered four times a year. For more information visit: http://www.nybarexam.org/Content/CourseMaterials.htm.
Application for Admission to Practice as an Attorney and Counselor-at-Law in the State of New York
Once applicants pass the NYS Bar they must complete the Application for Admission to Practice as an Attorney and Counselor-at-Law in the State of NY form and submit to the Registrar's Office.
The Form Law School Certificate must be obtained online from the New York State Bar Examiners website, located at http://www.nybarexam.org/Admission/AdmissionMultiDeptPacket.htm. Applicants must complete the first page, date and sign. On the second page, indicate the department to which you are applying for admission.
The Registrar's Office will process the Form Law School Certificate and send it to the designated department.