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How to Apply for the

JULY 2024 Uniform Bar Exam

Please read all of the information in these instructions.

Rules Regulating Admission to the Bar in the District of Columbia

You are responsible to read and understand the rules governing admission and unauthorized

practice of law: D.C. App. Rule 46 and DCCA Rule 49.

Changes have been made to application procedures. Do not rely upon instructions from other

Applicants with law degrees from Non-ABA Approved Law Schools

If you did not obtain a JD or LLB from an ABA approved law school, please also read Guidance

Regarding 26 ABA Credit hour Requirement for Graduates of non-ABA Approved Law

Schools. Pursuant to Rule 46(c)(4), the Committee on Admissions will audit credits from an

ABA approved law school transcript to determine if “all such 26 credit hours [have been] earned

in courses of study, each of which is substantially concentrated on a single subject tested on the

Uniform Bar Examination.”

DC requires that LLB or non-ABA approved JD transcripts demonstrate that applicants’

completed a degree that is substantially equivalent to a Juris Doctor degree that would be

awarded by a law school approved by the ABA. Please note: this requirement may differ from

no late filing period. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. A completed application must have all of

the following:

1. Completed electronic application

2. Any required supplemental documents

3. The District of Columbia authorization and release form

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4. Your accommodation request and supplemental documentation if you wish to apply

for accommodations

5. Your photo (see requirements below to avoid photo being rejected.)

6. Application fee of $405 due at the time the application is submitted; Background

to determine your eligibility for the exam.

2. Electronic Application - Complete and submit the application online. If you completed

the character and fitness questionnaire on the NCBE website within the past four

years AND your background investigation was completed on or after January 1, 2021 for

a prior application to the District of Columbia, you will complete the abbreviated Re-

Application.

3. Filing Fee - After completing all steps you will be prompted to pay the filing fee, either

by credit card, debit card, or e-check. We do not accept any other form of payment

4. You will pay the fee for the background investigation directly to NCBE upon receipt of

an invoice requesting payment. If you paid the NCBE background investigation fee

notarization date that is on or after 9/1/2023. If your A&R is dated before 9/1/2023 you

must upload a new form.

6. Supplemental forms - All bar exam applicants with a JD from an ABA Approved law

school must upload a Declaration of Graduation/Anticipated Graduation Form. If you

have previously applied, you may re-upload the form you used for the prior exam.

7. All bar exam applicants who do not have a JD from an ABA approved law school

must upload the following:

 Declaration of Graduation From a Non-ABA approved law school

 Declaration of Completion/Anticipated Completion of 26 Credit Hours at an

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8. Additional Documentation – The documents that applicants need from third parties or

other sources will be determined by your responses to specific questions. Applicants who

reply “yes” to questions regarding the following will need to provide additional

documentation: arrests, civil litigation, academic disciplinary action, unauthorized

practice of law, law school discipline, college/university discipline, military service,

alcohol or drug related traffic violation and tax debt. Note: The NCBE analyst

performing the background investigation may ask for other information after your

application is submitted.

9. Uploaded Photo - A photo is required for all exam applications. Note - photos must

meet certain requirements. A selfie can usually meet these requirements. A new photo is

required each time you apply for a bar exam. Your photo must meet the following

requirements:

 No hat or head covering unless worn for religious purposes.

 Glasses are permitted; however, a glare or light reflection in the lenses of glasses in the

 Photo file type must be a .png, .jpg., or .jpeg

Background Investigation

Within 7-10 business days after filing your application with the District of Columbia Court of

Appeals, you will receive an email from the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)

with instructions on how to submit payment for the background investigation. Payment for the

background investigation is required for your application to be complete. As previously stated,

background investigation. If you do not make payment timely, or if you fail to respond

timely to additional inquiries from NCBE investigation analysts, your character and fitness

application can be terminated. If your character and fitness application is terminated you will

not be able to sit for the July exam.

Accommodations

To apply for accommodations you must submit the Testing Accommodations – Applicant

Request Form, medical documentation that provides proof of your disability and documentation

of prior accommodations. Please see the Medical Guidelines for guidance on your supplementary

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medical documentation. Applicants who do not submit supporting documentation (e.g.

diagnostic testing, transcripts, proof of prior accommodation grants, etc.) will be denied.

Applicants who have previously been granted accommodations for a D.C. bar exam AND who

do not wish to request different accommodations can upload their request form and a copy of

their prior D.C. bar exam accommodations grant letter. If you have previously been granted

accommodations, please do not apply for a change unless you have NEW supporting medical

There are no exceptions to the May 9th deadline at 5:00pm ET. Accommodation requests that

granted only where all of the following conditions are met:

1. The impairment occurred after the deadline for the submission of accommodation

requests.

2. The accommodation does not impose an undue burden on the Committee on Admissions.

3. The applicant demonstrates a disability within the meaning of the ADA.

4. The accommodation does not fundamentally alter the nature of the bar examination

5. The accommodation does not jeopardize the security of the exam

For Emergency Accommodations send an email with details and supporting documentation to

Director Shanks at: [email protected].

MPRE Score Report – A minimum score of 75 on the MPRE is required for admission. You

must request that your MPRE Score be reported to the District of Columbia. An MPRE Score is

NOT required to sit for the exam.

Laptop Registration

Applicants must pay the software licensing fee of $150 and register their laptops directly with

the software vendor, ILG360. The registration period is June 24

through July 1

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to regularly visit the Committee on Admissions (“COA”) web site to review the announcements

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