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NEW JERSEY BOARD of BAR EXAMINERS

NEW JERSEY BOARD of BAR EXAMINERS

Independence - Integrity - Fairness - Quality Service

Information & Applications » Bar Exam Application » Bar Exam Instructions


Browse Forms is for VIEWING the application questions. Sub-sections of the application can be expanded/viewed by selecting Yes / No answer to questions within the application. You must create a user account and login to your user home page to complete an application form.

Applying to Sit for the Exam


Applicants must click on each section and check the certification at the bottom of each section.

In order to apply to sit for the New Jersey Bar Examination, applicants must:

  1. Complete the online application questionnaire
  2. Complete the online character questionnaire
  3. Upload an acceptable photo
  4. Submit payment, either online via credit card or via "paper" payment
  5. Upload a signed and notarized Authorization and Release form

Once all five of the steps above have been completed, your case file manager will acknowledge your application. Your acknowledgement, which will be posted to your User Home Page, will contain additional information and instructions.

Application. Please make sure you meet all application requirements, which include:

  • 18 years of age
  • Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school
  • Be in good standing (or resigned from or administratively revoked) in all jurisdictions to which admitted

Starting the process. Applicants must create an account on-line. The link to register/log in is located on the top right hand side of the home page of the web site. Once you have registered, you will receive an activation email from noreply@njbarexams.org. Make sure you check your spam folder and/or permit emails from njbarexams.org. After you have activated your account and if the application period has been opened, you can begin an application.

Character Questionnaire. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted. Applicants will not be able to submit the questionnaire until all sections are complete. Do not leave gaps in employment or addresses. If you are unemployed for a period of time, such as while attending law school, include an entry for that time which states that you were unemployed and the reason you were unemployed.

Make sure to provide all supplemental documentation (see instructions regarding Supplemental Documentation) after you have submitted your questionnaire. An Upload button will be displayed after you have successfully submitted your questionnaire. This button is used to upload documents directly to your User account. Do not send or upload a paper copy of your questionnaire. Do not send a paper copy of your supplemental documents.

CHARACTER NOTES

You are required to amend your Certified Statement within 30 days of any change to the information provided. This requirement remains in effect until you are admitted or withdraw, or until you are abandoned for failure to respond. To amend your application, go to your User Home Page and select "Amend Application." Click on Character & Fitness Questionnaire under Forms & Progress, edit as needed, and click on "Submit Addendum" on the User Home Page.

You must press "Submit" in order to submit your application. A red exclamation mark (!) indicates that problems exist with your application. Click on the "!" to view the problem areas.

Payments. Payments can be made via credit card when the character questionnaire is submitted OR with a money order or certified check or cashier’s check. If paying via "paper," you must attach payment to the Non-credit Card Payments form, which is available on the User Home Page. Payments are non-refundable.

PHOTOGRAPH

You must upload a passport-type photograph of yourself alone, without a hat or dark glasses, that was taken within 6 months of the date you file your application. The photo must be a front-facing, head-and-shoulders pose against a plain, light colored background. A detailed overview of an acceptable photograph can be found in our FAQs. Non-complying photos will be rejected and you will be required to upload a new photo.

PAYMENT NOTES

WE DO NOT ACCEPT personal checks, Travelers’ checks, American Express or Discover. We cannot accept any foreign instruments including personal checks, money orders, or other instruments, even if drawn against a US financial institution. If an application is submitted with the incorrect amount or an incorrect method of payment, the application will not be considered submitted until appropriate payment is received. The fees applicable at the time of a correct submission (amount and method) will be in effect.

After you submit your character questionnaire, you will be taken to the payment screen. Once you select a payment method (check or credit card) you will not be able to go back and change the payment method.

Acknowledgement. Your application will not be acknowledged until your application and character questionnaire are submitted online, payment is received, and your authorization and release form is uploaded.

I have read and understand these instructions.
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