FOR ADMISSION TO THE CALIFORNIA BAR*
~This document is intended to help students navigate the California State Bar application process. It is not intended as a substitute for your own research.~
*Note: information, fees, and links within this document are subject to change without notice. for latest information refer to www.calbar.ca.gov. this is separate from any registration dates for exam prep courses and is not intended to substitute for your own research. Guidance is based on information available as of September 10,
2012 and may not be complete.
Registration with the Committee of Bar Examiners | 1st Year recommended
Students must register with the California Committee of Bar Examiners as a law student. You likely did this during the first 90 days of our first year of law school. If you did not, you can still register, but you will be charged a late registration fee. Students can register on-line through the California Bar web site, www.calbar.ca.gov. When
Cost
Website:
90 days of starting first year/now
$108 + late registration fee (if applicable) http://www.calbarxap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Registration/default.asp Application for the Determination of Moral Character | 2nd Yr & within 90 days of Fingerprinting
A positive moral character determination is a prerequisite to being admitted to the bar and practicing law in California. The filing of the moral character application begins the process of character investigation which generally takes eight to ten months, but could possibly take longer.
When
Cost
Website:
Now. (Most students file during their 2nd year of law school. The committee recommends that applicants file at least 8-10 months prior to date you expect to practice law).
$500
http://www.calbarxap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Moral_Character/default.asp
Note: The Application for the Determination of Moral Character must be filed within 90 days of obtaining Live Scan Fingerprinting otherwise the fingerprinting will be considered invalid. Please be aware that the vendor conducting the fingerprinting only retains the records for 90 days.
Live Scan Fingerprinting: | 2nd/3rd year & within 90 days of filing for Determination of Moral Character
The California Bar also requires that all applicants to the practice of law be fingerprinted. Applicants are required to submit fingerprints through the Live Scan system with the application for Moral Character
Determination.
When
Cost
At USF in KN 105, Wed., October 24th & Thurs, October 25th from 10am – 6:20pm
$21 (at USF)
In addition, a list of agencies providing the Live Scan fingerprinting service can be found at the
California Attorney General - Department of Justice website: http://www.ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.php NOTE: The Office of Admissions of the California Bar strongly advises that applicants file for the
Determination of Moral Character within 90 day of fingerprinting. Please be aware that the vendor conducting the fingerprinting only retains the records for 90 days.
Updated 9/10/2012
By the Law Registrar’s Office
Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE): | 2nd or 3rd or 4th year
This examination is administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and is one of the requirements for admission to practice law in California (and in all but 3 of the other U.S. jurisdictions).
The next three test dates are November 3, 2012, April 6, 2013, August 17, 2013 and November 3, 2013.
The late registration deadline for the November MPRE is October 4, 2013.
NOTE: It is necessary that you request that National Conference of Bar Examiners report your score to the California Committee of Bar Examiners.
Exam Date
When
Cost
Website
More
Info
November 3, 2012
Register September 18, 2012 for the November 3, 2012 exam (regular deadline).
OR register in early January for the