Carefully read the Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners (Rules) before going on to step 2.

Before you begin completing the application, request the documents you are required to submit.

The following documents are required with EVERY Bar Exam Application, Re-Application, Update of a Previously Filed Application, etc. Click the link below for additional information regarding each requirement.

• Full Legal Name
• Social Security Number or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Control Number/Customer Identifier
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Social Security Number or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Control Number/Customer Identifier

A Social Security Number or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Control Number/Customer Identifier is required with your application.

Your Social Security number or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Control Number/Customer Identifier may be used by the Board of Bar Examiners to obtain background information on you from law enforcement, credit, and other agencies or entities.

Disclosure of your Social Security number or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Control Number/Customer Identifier is required by § 54.1-116 of the Code of Virginia.

If you request/requested that your MPRE scores be sent to Virginia, your Social Security number and/or NCBE Number are the only means used to match the MPRE score to your application

• NCBE Number
• MPRE Score Report (if not previously submitted)
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MPRE Score Report

Virginia requires an MPRE scaled score of 85 or higher which must be achieved prior to the expiration of the Virginia Bar Exam on which the applicant received a passing score. The MPRE requirement must be met before you can be licensed.

Your Social Security number and/or NCBE Number is how we match you to your MPRE scores. If you are taking or have taken the MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam) and your scores are sent to Virginia, make sure your Social Security number on the score report sent to you is accurate.

For those who have previously taken the MPRE and did not elect to have your scores sent to Virginia, you must request a score report to be sent to us. To have your scores sent to Virginia, contact NCBE.

Additional information may be obtained from the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

• Evidence of Rehabilitation
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Evidence of Rehabilitation
• Letters of Reference. (Letters of reference should include the relationship between the applicant and the reference, as well as a statement acknowledging the character and fitness issues which led to the applicant’s denial.)
• AA meeting rosters
• Driving school certificate of completion
• Proof of civic and community service or volunteer activities (including dates and number of hours)
• Proof of financial counseling/remediation
• Credit Report
• DMV Record(s)
• Fees (Money Order, Cashier's Check, or Certified Check. No personal or company checks). One or multiple check(s) are acceptable. Checks must be made payable to "Virginia Board of Bar Examiners."
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Fees




Fees

Forms	Fee
Application for Reconsideration After Denial of Licensure and your Character & Fitness Update Form.	$1500

The following documents may be required with your application, if applicable or not previously received. Click the link below for additional information regarding each requirement.

• Copy of any Application and/or Character & Fitness Questionnaire submitted to any jurisdiction for admission after denial in Virginia.
• Certificates of Good Standing - for all jurisdictions where you are/have ever been licensed to practice law
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Certificates of Good Standing

Certificates of Good Standing must come from the Court of Last Resort; (i.e., Supreme Court, Court of Appeals - NOT State Bar) for each jurisdiction in which you are/have ever been licensed. The certificate must be an original document dated/issued within 90 days of receipt of your application.

If you are on inactive status, your certificate may come from the State Bar of such jurisdiction. Such State Bar certificate must include a statement that you voluntarily chose to go inactive, that you were in good standing at the time you went inactive, and that there are or were no disciplinary issues which led to your inactive status.

For any jurisdictions where you are pending, you must submit a Certificate of Good Standing upon admission or a statement issued 30-days post exam, updating the status of your application and character & fitness.

To request a Certificate of Good Standing, a contact list is available on the American Bar Association website. Click here to access the contact list.

• Certificates of Discipline - for all jurisdictions where you are/have ever been licensed to practice law
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Certificates of Discipline

Certificates of Discipline are required for each jurisdiction* where you have ever held a license to practice law. The certificate must be an original document dated/issued within 90 days of receipt of your application.

If you are on inactive status, your certificate must include a statement that you voluntarily chose to go inactive, that you were in good standing at the time you went inactive, and that there are or were no disciplinary issues which led to your inactive status.

If you have any pending disciplinary issues, your application will not be processed and your fees are non-refundable.

*PLEASE NOTE: Even if you have never had any disciplinary issues, you MUST submit a Certificate of Discipline from each jurisdiction you have ever held a license.

To request a Certificate of Discipline, a contact list is available on the American Bar Association website. Click here to access the contact list.

• Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree or Name Change Order for verification of current legal name
• Non-US Citizen - Immigration documents (previous applicants must provide current status)
• Court Records for all felony charges
• Court Orders in regard to creditors, tax liens, and judgments
• Bankruptcy Petitions
• Defaulted student loan documentation
• Character & Fitness Healthcare Form, completed a Licensed Healthcare Professional (part of the online forms)
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Character & Fitness Healthcare Form

The Character & Fitness Healthcare Form addresses recent mental health and chemical or psychological dependency matters. The purpose of such inquiries is to determine the current fitness of an applicant to practice law.

The Board does not, by its questions, seek information that is fairly characterized as situational counseling. Examples of situational counseling include stress counseling, domestic counseling, grief counseling, and counseling for eating or sleeping disorders. Generally, the Board does not view these types of counseling as germane to the issue of whether an applicant is qualified to practice law.

If any of the following inquiries is applicable to you, the Character & Fitness Healthcare Form must be completed by your Licensed Healthcare Professional(s).

• Within the past five (5) years, have you sought or been directed to seek treatment for your conduct or behavior that could call into question your ability to practice law in a competent, ethical, and professional manner?
• Do you currently have any condition or impairment, including, but not limited to, (1) any related to substance or alcohol abuse, or (2) a mental, emotional, or nervous disorder or condition, which in any way affects your ability to perform any of the obligations and responsibilities of a practicing lawyer in a competent, ethical and professional manner? "Currently" means recently enough so that the condition could reasonably have an impact on your ability to function as a practicing lawyer.




Click here to download the Character & Fitness Healthcare Form.

A Checklist of your application requirements is included on the last page of the forms. As you package your application, use the checklist to confirm that you have completed and included each REQUIRED item. Your application will not be considered complete until all required attachments have been received.

Office of the Secretary
Virginia Board of Bar Examiners
2201 W. Broad Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23220

Due to confidentiality limitations, the Board will not confirm receipt of an application over the phone. To ensure we have received your application, send it using a delivery method that you can track or include with your application forms a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard which we will return to you date-stamped with the date we received your application.