Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to sit for the New Jersey Bar Examination?
How long are fingerprint cards good for and who is authorized to
fingerprint me?
Does my application have to be typed or can it be hand lettered?
Are MBE and MPRE scores transferable?
When will I receive my site assignments?
When will the bar exam results be released?
How do I obtain the forms for name or address changes?
Are bar examination fees refundable?
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?
How do I apply for a wall license after being admitted to the New Jersey
Bar?
Does New Jersey have reciprocity with any other jurisdiction?
What are the
requirements to sit for the New Jersey Bar Examination?
Candidates must: (1) be at least 18 years of age, (2) have graduated with a JD or LLB
Degree from an ABA Accredited Law School (LLM Degree is not acceptable), and (3) be in
good standing in all jurisdictions to which they have been admitted to the bar.
How long are
fingerprint cards good for and who is authorized to fingerprint me?
Fingerprint results are good for two years from the exam date that they were used.
At the time of application, you will be notified as to the proper fingerprint procedures.
Does my
application have to be typed or can it be hand written?
Board of Bar Examiners prefers that applications be typed, but does not require it.
Hand-written applications must be completely legible or they will be rejected.
Can I type my
essay exam?
There will no longer be using typewriters. There will be a pilot program
for computer-based testing for the July 2005 bar examination for 200
applicants. Information for the pilot program can be found on the home
page.
The
application requires me to get abstracts of my driving record for the past seven years.
The state in which I am licensed provides only a three-year abstract. How do
I comply with New Jersey’s requirement?
The Board of Bar Examiners requires a “Complete Certified Abstract” for every
jurisdiction in which you have held a driver’s license during the past seven years.
This does not mean that the abstract has to be for seven years. Your request
to Motor Vehicles must however, state that you require a “complete certified
abstract.”
My student
loans have been consolidated. Do I still need to list them individually or may I
just list the consolidated lender?
List just the lender with whom you have consolidated your loans.
I held a
summer position several years ago but cannot remember my supervisor’s name, may I
leave it blank?
If you have done your best to fill in all information, you may write in “do not
recall.”
With regard
to education under the sub-category of Law School there are blocks for “Day” and
“Evening”. What information should be listed there?
If you attended classes during the day, you should check the “Day” box. If
you attended classes in the evening, you should check the “Evening box”.
I have been
admitted to the NJ bar and I am applying for admission to another state. How do I
get a letter from the NJ grievance committee stating that no charges have been filed
against me?
The Office of Attorney Ethics issues these letters. You must request the letter in
writing to: The Office of Attorney Ethics, PO Box 963, Trenton, NJ 08625-0963. Include
your name, date of birth, social security number, date of admission to the N.J. State Bar,
and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. There is no cost for this service. Allow 2 to 3
weeks. They can be reached at 609-530-4008.
Are MBE and
MPRE scores transferable?
MBE Scores are only transferable when you sit for New Jersey and another state
contemporaneously. For information on transferring your MBE score, please visit the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
MPRE scores are transferable. You must arrange to have your scores
transferred to New Jersey. Note, if you have taken a Professional Responsibility
Ethics Class in law school, and have passed with a grade of a “C” or better, you
do not have to take the MPRE.
When will I
receive my site assignments?
You will receive your admission ticket and site assignments approximately 2-3 weeks prior
to the exam. Site assignments will also be posted on our website by Candidate
Identification Number. Under no circumstances will site assignments be changed or
discussed over the telephone.
When will
the bar exam results be released?
For the February exam, The Board of Bar Examiners seeks to release the grades by May 15th.
For the July exam, we try to release the grades by November 15th. These are
not, however, firm dates. The results listed in order of Candidate Identification Number
will be posted on our website when the results are mailed. A list of successful candidates will be posted by
name 72 hours after the results are released..
How do I
obtain the forms for name or address changes?
Please note that all name/address changes for candidates must be submitted in writing and
forwarded to our office in Trenton. Forwarding new information to a Committee on
Character member only will not result in a change in our office database.
NAME CHANGES FOR CANDIDATES: For a form to
change your name if you have filed an application with the Board of Bar Examiners, click here.
NAMES CHANGES FOR ATTORNEYS: Complete the Name Change form and return it to the address provided. If you
require a new wall license with your new name, please complete and submit the Request for Wall
License form, along with a certified check or money order for $40 made payable to
Secretary, New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.
ADDRESS CHANGES FOR CANDIDATES: You will find a Change of Address Form here. Complete the form
and return it to the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, P.O. Box 973, Trenton NJ
08625-0973.
ADDRESS CHANGES FOR ATTORNEYS: Please submit your changes in writing to the
Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. They will accept address changes by mail
at PO Box 961, Trenton, NJ 08625-0961 or by fax at 609-394-3637.
Are bar
examination fees refundable?
Although the examination fees are nonrefundable, the Supreme Court will consider a
petition to carryover bar examination fees due to extenuating circumstances. Such
petitions must be in the form of an affidavit or certification and must be accompanied by
supporting documentation.
How do I
obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?
From the download menu, you will find the Certificate of Good Standing Request Form
and appropriate instructions.
How do I
apply for a wall license after being admitted to the New Jersey Bar?
Newly admitted attorneys will receive a wall license order form with their admission
materials. If you did not initially order a wall license when you were admitted, you
may order one by completing the Request
for Wall License form and sending it to the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, P.O.
Box 973, Trenton NJ 08625-0973. Be sure to include a certified check or money order
for $40 payable to the Secretary, New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.
Does New
Jersey have reciprocity with any other jurisdiction?
New Jersey does not have motion admission
reciprocity with any other jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has issued its response
to the Report and Recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee on Bar Admissions. Click here for The Report of the Ad Hoc Committee. Click here for the Administrative Determinations of the Supreme Court.
Skills &
Methods Course – I am administratively ineligible to practice law in New Jersey
because I have not successfully completed the Skills & Methods course in a timely
manner. How do I become eligible to practice in New Jersey?
You must contact ICLE at 732-214-8500 to determine what course work you must make up.
Lawyers’
Fund for Client Protection – I am administratively ineligible to practice law in New
Jersey because I am not current with my obligations to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client
Protection. How do I become eligible to practice in New Jersey?
You must contact the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection at 609-292-8079 to discuss
your fees.