Download Area for Application for Admission to the Practice of Law in Ohio Without Examination

This Web page contains most of the documents required to complete an Application for Admission Without Examination and an Application for Certification to Practice Pending Admission.

Read all of the instructions before proceeding:

How to use these files
Other required documents
Filing your completed application
Download the files

How to use these files

Documents 7 through 10 are fillable PDF forms. You must use the free Acrobat® Reader to fill out and print these forms. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to visit the Acrobat download page.

The forms contain form fields that permit the entry of requested information. Only the entered text that you actually see within each field is the text that will print. If a field is not large enough to display your response, attach a separate sheet or sheets, referencing the form and the question number and part. Some of the form fields have the ability to accept two lines of information within the form field.

Follow these guidelines when filling out these forms:

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Other required documents

This webpage contains all of the forms you will need to complete your application except the following:

Fingerprint Card. Fingerprint cards may be obtained from any of the following:

Certificate(s) of Good Standing. You must submit an original certificate of good standing from each jurisdiction in which you are admitted to practice law, dated no earlier than 60 days prior to submission of the application

Applicant's Affidavit of Past Practice. As set forth in Gov. Bar R. I, Sec. 10(C)(4), an applicant must draft and submit “an affidavit that . . . includes a description of the applicant's practice of law, the dates of such practice, and, if applicable, a description of the applicant's employment subsequent to ceasing such practice.” There is no form for the affidavit describing your past practice of law. For guidelines regarding the affidavit of past practice, consult the Instructions to Applicants for Admission to the Practice of Law in Ohio Without Examination.

Employer's Affidavit(s) Verifying Past Practice. As set forth in Gov. Bar R. I , Sec. 10(C)(5), an applicant must submit “an affidavit from the applicant's employer or employers verifying the applicant's full-time practice of law or, if the applicant has been self-employed, an affidavit from an attorney who is a member of the bar in the jurisdiction in which the applicant practiced and who knows the applicant, verifying the applicant's full-time practice of law.” There is no form for this affidavit. For guidelines regarding this document, consult the Instructions to Applicants for Admission to the Practice of Law in Ohio Without Examination.

Transcripts/Certificates. You must submit evidence of receipt of a law degree from an ABA approved law school as well as evidence of receipt of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. We will accept original certificates or official transcripts from the colleges or universities.

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Filing your completed application

After completing the forms on this webpage, print the forms, and then execute the documents. Please note that your signature on some of the documents must be notarized. All affidavits must be notarized. Only executed originals will be accepted for filing; electronic filings are not acceptable.

After completing the NCBE's electronic Character Questionnaire (item #6), be sure to print out and include an original hard copy of the Questionnaire and a copy of the Questionnaire with your application. Please also ensure that the signature page has been signed and notarized and that you have included five signed and notarized authorization and release forms. If you have questions about these application materials, please contact the Supreme Court Office of Bar Admissions at 614.387.9352.

Applications, application updates, and correspondence should be mailed to Office of Bar Admissions at the following address:

Bar Admissions Office
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 South Front Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3431

Online Documents and Documents for Download

Links to Online Application Materials Notice
1. Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio -- Rule I. Admission to the Practice of Law These documents contain important information you must read before completing your application.
2. Instructions to Applicants for Admission to the Practice of Law in Ohio Without Examination Refer back to the instructions page for help completing the application.
3. Definitions of Essential Eligibility Requirements for the Practice of Law
4. Decisions Issued by the Supreme Court of Ohio that Relate to Character and Fitness
5. National Conference of Bar Examiners -- Fee Schedule
6. Applicant’s Character Questionnaire
To be completed by applicant		 After completing the NCBE’s electronic Character Questionnaire, be sure to print out and include an original hardcopy of the Questionnaire and a copy of the Questionnaire with your application.
Admission Without Examination Documents for Download Notice
7. Request for Admission to the Practice of Law in Ohio Without Examination
8. Certificate of Presentation To be completed by an attorney admitted to practice in Ohio and duly registered pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI.
9. Affidavit of Applicant To be completed by the applicant.
Practice Pending Admission Documents for Download
1. Application for Certification to Practice Pending Admission
2. Certification
3. Affidavit of Ohio Attorney (required if practicing Ohio law)
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