Application to Take the Bar Examination

Before completing this application, please review the following:

Rule I of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar

Definitions of Essential Eligibility Requirements

Decisions Issued by the Supreme Court of Ohio that Relate to Character and Fitness

Applicants with Disabilities

Application to Register as a Candidate for Admission Notice

Every person who intends to take the Uniform Bar Examination (“UBE”) in Ohio must submit two applications.  The first application that must be filed is the Application to Register as a Candidate. The second application that must be filed is the Application to take the Bar Examination (“Bar Application”). You must first file an Application to Register as a Candidate for Admission to the Practice of Law.  When you want to sit for an examination, you must file an Application to take the Bar Examination (“Bar Application”).

NOTE: The Office of Bar Admissions will not accept a Bar Application until the previous exam has been administered.

Filing a Complete Application

Beginning Jan. 26, 2022, all applications for admission to the practice of law in Ohio must be filed using the Bar Admissions Portal. The Office of Bar Admissions will not accept paper applications after this date.

In order to file a Bar Application, you must submit the following:

1. Law School Character Certificate
   A Law School Character Certificate executed by the dean of your law school.  You may mail the original form to our office, or the law school may email the form directly to baradmissions@sc.ohio.gov.
2. Applicant’s Affidavit
   The Applicant’s Affidavit must be properly executed and uploaded on the Bar Admissions Portal.
3. Applicant’s Supplemental Character Questionnaire
   The Applicant’s Supplemental Character Questionnaire must be fully completed, with the final page properly notarized.  The full, completed questionnaire should be uploaded on the Bar Admissions Portal.
4. Non-refundable Bar Application fee in the amount of $330 or, if the application is filed late, a non-refundable application fee of $430.
   The Supreme Court of Ohio Bar Application fee is determined by the date you file the Bar Application.  For the February examination, the timely deadline is the proceeding Nov. 1, and the late deadline is Dec. 10. For the July examination, the timely deadline is preceding April 1, and the late deadline is May 10.

   NOTE:  The Office of Bar Admissions cannot accept a Bar Application after the Dec. 10 or May 10 deadline.

5. Non-refundable UBE Component Item fee in the amount of $132.
6. If applicable, Form 7C.
7. If applicable, supplemental documentation.
8. If applicable, petition and non-refundable fee of $30.
   The Petition for Waiver of the Registration Application Deadline must be completed if your Application to Register as a Candidate was filed after the late deadline.  For a February exam, the late deadline is the preceding Aug. 15. For a July exam, the late deadline is the preceding Jan. 15.
9. If applicable, a request for testing accommodations must be submitted along with an application to take the bar examination. Please refer to this link in order to submit a complete request. Applicants With Disabilities.

Fee Payment

Applicants must pay all Supreme Court of Ohio application fees on the Bar Admissions Portal at the time an application is submitted. Supreme Court of Ohio fees are non-refundable or non-transferable.

Practice Pending Admission Application

If you are admitted and in good standing in another jurisdiction, you may be eligible for practice pending admission.  If you wish to apply for practice pending admission, please submit the application on the Bar Admissions Portal following your submission of the Bar Application.  Materials for the Application for Certification to Practice Pending Admission.

Additional Admissions Information

Pursuant to Gov. Bar R. I, Sec. 3, Div. (C), your completed Bar Application will be forwarded to a regional or local bar association admissions committee for review. If appropriate or necessary, the admissions committee may conduct further investigation or request a personal interview. After the admissions committee completes its supplemental character and fitness review, it will make a final recommendation as to your character, fitness, and moral qualifications.

The Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness will consider and act upon the admissions committee’s recommendation. You must receive final Board approval of your character, fitness, and moral qualifications at least three weeks prior to the examination you are applying to take. If you receive timely final approval from the Board, a notice of final approval will be sent to you, along with your bar examination instructions, approximately two weeks before the examination. Unless and until you receive final approval of your character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice, you may not take the Ohio bar examination.

Applicants have a continuous reporting obligation while their application is pending, until the applicant is admitted to the practice of law. The applicant is required to notify the Office of Bar Admissions in writing of any changes or updates to an application. Applicant may amend their application on the Bar Admissions Portal or by emailing baradmissions@sc.ohio.gov.

At least 30 days before the examination, you must also file a Final Law School Certificate signed by the dean or an associate dean of your law school. If the dean or associate dean of your law school cannot certify that you have received at least one hour of instruction on substance abuse, then you must also file a Substance Abuse Instruction Certificate signed by a continuing legal education sponsor at least 30 days before the examination.

• Final Law School Certificate
            
• Substance Abuse Instruction Certificate

Under Gov. Bar R. I, you are also required to submit the following:

• Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) score of 85 or higher
• Ohio Law Component (OLC) of 80% or higher
• The OLC is taken after the administration of the bar exam.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Office of Bar Admissions at 614.387.9340 or baradmissions@sc.ohio.gov.