Information About Bar Admission and Examination

Every U.S. jurisdiction has a unique set of rules, requirements, and criteria for admission to its bar. PSL students are responsible for researching and understanding the licensure requirements of the jurisdictions in which they plan to practice and communicate with the Board of Law Examiners (BOLE) to resolve any questions related to bar admissions.  You will find directories of the various BOLE here.

General Overview of Bar Admissions

Bar admissions is made-up of four component parts:

1. Timely completion of an application form.  
2. Passing the bar examination.
3. Passing the character and fitness inquiry.
4. Successfully completing other requirements in your jurisdiction.  

Bar Application Forms

Bar application deadlines are listed in the National Conference of Board Examiners (NCBE) Bar Admissions Guide.  In that guide, you fill find a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction snapshot of bar admission requirements.

The Bar Examination

• The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)

The UBE is administered in 39 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. You may find comprehensive information about the UBE here.

• Next Generation Bar Examination (NextGen)

The NextGen bar exam will first be made available to US jurisdictions with the July 2026 bar exam. As jurisdictions announce whether they intend to first administer the new exam in July 2026, February or July 2027, or February or July 2028, the National Conference of Bar Examiners will update its list of participating jurisdictions to reflect these announcements. 

• State-Specific Bar Exams

Several states including California. Delaware, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia use only a portion of the UBE.  These jurisdictions also test state-specific law, usually in essay format.  You will find information about these and other state-specific bar exams here.

• PSL Bar Review Courses

Dean Elkin teaches Fundamental Skills for the Bar Exam each spring to graduating J.D. students. He also offers a 10-week summer bar review course soon after commencement as a supplement to commercial bar review courses (see below).  His course and related materials are free of charge and may be attended in-person or via Zoom.

Character and Fitness to Practice Law Inquiry

Every jurisdiction has a character and fitness requirement. The Pennsylvania standard is illustrative: 

“The character and fitness standards require that an applicant to the bar be one whose record of conduct justifies the trust of clients, adversaries, courts and others. The hallmark of such a person is honesty, especially in connection with the application for admission to the bar. Persons with a record showing a deficiency in honesty, trustworthiness, diligence or reliability may not be recommended for admission.”

Character and fitness inquiries typically include, criminal or civil offenses, litigation in which you were a named party, driving records, employment terminations, dishonesty/lack of candor, misconduct, academic discipline failure to meet financial obligations, or substance abuse. Many jurisdictions require full disclosure even in cases where a record has been expunged. The inquiry will also include a form to be completed by PSL investigating whether any disclosures made to the bar were also made during the law school admission process, as well as any misconduct and/or discipline that may have occurred during your enrollment here. A failure to respond to a character and fitness inquiry truthfully, accurately, and completely is commonly deemed a character and fitness violation in and of itself and may be more detrimental to bar admission prospects than the undisclosed or inaccurately disclosed underlying conduct. If you have questions about information to be disclosed on your character and fitness form or need to amend your law school application to include information previously omitted, please contact Dean Elkin.

Additional Requirements

Most jurisdictions require a passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam. Several states have additional requirements for admission.  New York, for example, requires an additional exam and 50 hours of pro bono work.

FAQ’s

What is a Law School Certificate or Deans Certification form?

Most states require a certificate from your law school dean attesting to the fact that you have graduated from law school. These forms can be found online at the various state bar websites. You should download the form and turn it to the Registrar's Office. If the bar also requires that we submit a copy of your law school application, please request this at the time of the submission of your bar form.

What do I do if an official transcript is required as part of the Bar Examination Application Process?

Information regarding how to obtain a Penn State academic transcript can be found on the University Registrar website.

Can I get a loan to pay for bar exam expenses and living expenses during the bar study period?

Yes, see the Law School's information on student loans.

What do I do if fingerprints are required as part of the Bar Examination Application Process?

As part of the character and fitness investigation, some jurisdictions require fingerprints from applicants.  IdentoGO is the official state contractor for fingerprinting in Pennsylvania.  If you are sitting for a bar exam in another jurisdiction, please verify that the BOLE will accept IdentiGO fingerprinting.

How do I Apply for Disability Accommodations on the Bar Exam?

This directory provides information about the process for seeking bar examination accommodations for each state, including links to forms, deadlines, and additional information about the bar application process, and sample cases.

Should I take a Commercial Bar Review Course?

Students are strongly encouraged to take a commercial bar review course to properly prepare for successful completion of the bar exam.  It is extremely difficult to pass the exam without a bar review course.  The law school does not recommend any particular commercial course and the links below are provided to students only as a matter of convenience.  Providing this information does not constitute an endorsement of any programs or products by PSL.

BARBRI

Kaplan Bar Review

Themis Bar Review