Friday, May 11, 2012 is the DEADLINE for filing your Petition for Admission to the Bar (Application).  Applications must be received on or before the deadline (not postmarked).  Applications received after the deadline will be returned to sender.  Please see IMPORTANT DATES.

Important Notices for Applicants for Admission to the Massachusetts Bar.

Notice to Applicants:  Introducing the Laptop Computer Testing Program for the essay portion of the Massachusetts Bar Examination

Admission Ceremonies will be hosted June 14th and 15th, 2012.  See Ceremonies for further information.

First Time Application
Frequently Asked Questions

How can I obtain an application?
What is the filing fee?
What documents must I file with the Supreme Judicial Court?
What should the letters of recommendation include?
How do I get an individual MPRE Score Report?
Can I have my MPRE Score sent directly to you from the National Conference of Bar Examiners?
What do I do if I need nonstandard testing accommodations for the exam?
What is the format of the exam?
When are results of the Bar Exam released?
Where are the results posted?
When can I begin to practice as an Attorney?
When will I be admitted to the Massachusetts Bar?
When do I get my Bar Registration Number?
When is my law school certificate due?
Can I word process the examination

1. How can I obtain an application?
You may obtain the documents for your application by completing our newly created web forms here.

2. What is the filing fee?
The fee is $815.00 made payable to the Commonwealth in the form of a money order or bank check.
Personal checks will NOT be accepted.

3. What documents MUST I file with the Supreme Judicial Court?

4. What should the letters of recommendation include?
Information on Letters of Recommendation.

5. How do I get an individual MPRE Score Report?
You must contact the National Conference of Bar Examiners and request that your individual Score Report indicating a Scaled Score of 85 or greater be sent directly to you, so that you can submit it with your application to sit.

6. Can I have my MPRE Score sent directly to you from the National Conference of Bar Examiners?
No. Your MPRE Score Report indicating a scaled score of 85 or greater MUST be filed with your application.

7. What do I do if I need nonstandard testing accommodations for the exam?
What forms should I file with the Board of Bar Examiners?

8. What is the format of the exam?
Examination Information

9. When are results of the Bar Exam released?
The results are released approximately three months after the examination is taken. The results from the February exam are generally released in mid -May. The results from the July exam are released in mid-November.

10. Where are the results posted?
The results of those who passed the law examination are publicly posted at this office, at every Superior Court Clerk's office in the Commonwealth and they can also be found on the Board of Bar Examiners web site.

11. When can I begin to practice as an Attorney?
You may begin to practice as a Massachusetts Attorney once you have officially been admitted to the bar.

12. When will I be admitted to the Massachusetts Bar?
After the public posting and the Board of Bar Examiners recommends your admission, you MUST be officially admitted either at the formal admission ceremonies or by the alternate admission procedure.

13. When do I get my Bar Registration Number?
After you have been admitted, this office will forward your name, address and date of admission to the Board of Bar Overseers. The Board of Bar Overseers will forward the requisite registration materials to you.

You MUST register within 90 days of your admission. While you await your Bar Registration number or your bar card, it is advised that you use "pending" in lieu of the number

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ADMISSIONS.

14. When is my law school certificate due?
Unless an exception has been made for you by the Supreme Judicial Court, your law school certificate is due with your application by the deadline.

15.  Can I word process the examination?
There is a Laptop Computer Testing Program for the essay portion of the examination.  See Notice for Laptop Computer Testing Program