Re-Examination Application

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 first file an Application to Register as a Candidate for Admission to the Practice of Law (“Registration Application.”)  If you were unsuccessful on the Ohio bar exam and your Registration Application remains active in accordance with Gov. Bar R. I, Sec. 2(G), you must submit a Re-Examination Application, as outlined in Gov. Bar R. I, Sec 8.

An applicant who has failed and seeks to retake the Uniform Bar Examination (“UBE”) in Ohio shall file with the Office of Bar Admissions a Re-Examination Application, as outlined in Gov. Bar R. I, Sec. 8.

NOTE:  If your Registration Application becomes withdrawn pursuant to Gov. Bar R. I, Sec. G, you must file another Registration Application prior to submitting a Re-Examination Application.

The Office of Bar Admissions does not accept applications to take a bar exam 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 Re-Examination Application, you must submit the following:

1. Applicant’s Re-Examination Affidavit
   The Applicant’s Re-Examination Affidavit must be properly executed and uploaded on the Bar Admissions Portal.
2. Applicant’s Re-Examination Supplemental Character Questionnaire
   The Applicant’s Re-Examination Supplemental Character Questionnaire must be fully completed, with the final page properly notarized.  The full, completed supplemental questionnaire should be uploaded on the Bar Admissions Portal.
3. Non-refundable re-examination application fee in the amount of $330 or, if the re-examination application is filed late, a non-refundable application fee of $430.
   The Supreme Court of Ohio 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 the preceding April 1, and the late deadline is May 10.
4. Non-refundable UBE Component Item fee in the amount of $132.
   If applicable, Form 7C.
5. If applicable, supplemental documentation.
6. 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. 5. For a July exam, the late deadline is the preceding Jan. 15.
7. 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.

Additional Admissions Information

Upon receipt of a complete application, your Re-Examination Application will be forwarded to a regional or local bar association admissions committee for another review of your character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice. The admissions committee will make a recommendation as to your character, fitness, and moral qualifications. This recommendation will be considered by the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness. You will not be qualified to take the bar examination for which you are applying unless you receive Board approval of your character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice at least three weeks before the examination.

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, unless and 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.

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.