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Admission to the Bar - Preparation and Resources: District of Columbia

This guide provides background and handy resources for students facing the last remaining hurdle before a career in the law--the bar exam.

Contact Information

Committee on Admissions
D.C. Court of Appeals
430 E Street NW, Room 123
Washington, DC 20001
TEL: 202-879-2710
FAX: 202-879-2794
www.dcappeals.gov

Committee on Admissions

The Committee on Admissions reviews all applications for admission to the District of Columbia Bar. See D.C. App. Rule 46. The Committee receives more than 3,500 applications per year, conducts extensive character and fitness investigations including informal meetings and formal hearings, and files recommendations with the court regarding applications or petitions.

Committee on Admissions Page

District of Columbia Bar Exam

Effective with the July 2016 Administration, the District of Columbia administers the Multistate Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is given on the last Wednesdays of February and July and the immediately preceding Tuesdays.  The Tuesday session consists of the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).  The Wednesday session is the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).

For further information on the multistate examinations, please refer to the relevant tabs elsewhere in this LibGuide.

Admission to the Bar of the District of Columbia

Admission to the Bar of the District of Columbia can be sought: by examination, on motion, or as a "special legal consultant."  Admission by examination requires the following:

  • Completed Bar Application
  • Proof of Legal Education
  • A minimum scaled score of 75 on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
  • Passage of NCBE Character Background Check
  • Examination Requirements:
    • A minimum scaled score on Multistate Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) of 266 (or, if transfer of a prior partial score is allowed, a minimum scaled score of 133 on the portion of the UBE being taken)
  • Attestation
  • Payment of $100 Examination Fee to D.C. Court of Appeals (+$200 late fee, if applicable), $50 NCBE fee for the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and $64 NCBE fee for the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
  • Payment of NCBE Character Reporting Fee

The current instruction sheet for application by examination can be found linked on the Committee on Admissions' page.

Admission on motion is available to applicants who:

  • have been in good standing with the bar of another state for at least five years prior to the time of filing the application,
  • have graduated with a J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA-approved law school, and have been admitted to a state bar having achieved a minimum scaled score of 133 on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), and a minimum scaled score of 75 on the Multstate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), OR
  • have achieved a minimum scaled score of 266 on the Multistate Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) within the last five years and on four or fewer attempts.


Formal requirements are:

  • Formal Application Page
  • Law School Certification, and MPRE/MBE scores (second category above only)
  • Scores, as applicable
  • Certificate of Good Standing
  • Application
  • Passage of NCBE Character Background Check
  • Attestation/Authorization and Release
  • Payment of $400 fee to the D.C. Court of Appeals, and an additional fee to the NCBE specified on the application form

The current instruction sheet for Admission on Motion can be found linked on the Committee on Admissions' page.

Admission as a special legal consultant is available to foreign attorneys upon application.  Requirements are:

  • Formal Application Page
  • Payment of $450 fee to the D.C. Court of Appeals, and an additional fee of $750 to the NCBE for the background check
  • Certification of Good Standing
  • Summary of Laws and Customs of Applicant's Home Jurisdiction
  • Application
  • Passage of NCBE Character Background Check
  • Attestation
  • Authorization and Release

Further details on application for admission as a special legal consultant can be found here:  Admission as Special Legal Consultant - Instructions

 

 

 

 

 

Character Background Check

The Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia subjects all applicants to a character background check conducted by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).  Details of the NCBE's Character & Fitness review can be found at http://www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness.