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

Bar Exam Options: All applicants are required to take the Virginia Essay portion of the Virginia Bar Exam and must elect an Option as required in the Rules. Click here for a list of Bar Exam Options.

In Step 3 below is a link for the VBBE Online Forms. The VBBE Online Forms include all Applications, Re-Applications, Update of a Previously Filed Applications, as well as the Character & Fitness Questionnaire, Character & Fitness Update Form, Petition for Non-Standard Testing Accommodations and other miscellaneous forms required to apply to take the Virginia bar exam.

Click here for a sample of all bar exam application forms.

(Please Note: Your actual forms will vary by the answers provided to certain questions. These are only a sample.)

Certain documents are required to be attached to various applications. Before you begin completing the application, request the documents you are required to submit. Many documents are required for all applications, although some are only required depending upon your responses to certain questions. Requesting the documents in advance will ensure you can submit a complete application.

You should start your application process early enough to ensure you can secure all required documents.

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

• Photo ID
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Photo ID

A Photo ID is an identity document that includes a photograph of the holder. The most commonly accepted forms of Photo ID are those issued by government authorities, such as driver's licenses and identity cards, but other Photo IDs are acceptable, such as school IDs or access control cards.

• Exam Identification Photos
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Exam Identification Photos
Two current identical passport-style photos must be attached to your application. Most area photo shops can provide passport photos.
Passport-style photos description

• 2x2 inches in size.
• Identical, showing current appearance, taken within the preceding twelve (12) months.
• Head & shoulders, full face, front view in normal street attire, and plain background.
• Do not wear a hat or headgear unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons.
• Do not wear dark glasses unless required for medical reasons.
• Personal snapshots are not acceptable.
• Photos must be actual photos, not printed on plain paper.
• Please refer to the following link for additional information on proper passport photos: Acceptable Passport Photos
• Credit Report
• DMV Record(s)
• 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 may be achieved at any time before taking the bar exam or prior to the expiration of a passing Virginia bar exam score. Passing Virginia bar exam scores are valid for 5 years from the date of the examination. 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.

• NCBE Number
• Fees* - Money Order, Cashier's Check, or Certified Check made payable to "Virginia Board of Bar Examiners." No personal or company checks. One or multiple check(s) are acceptable.
  
  *(The Virginia State Bar Corporate Counsel Section will present a monetary award to an exam taker who has the career goal of in-house counsel. Click here for information on how to apply.)
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Fees - One or multiple check(s) are acceptable.




Application for Examination Fees

Application Type	Fee
Original Application	$575
Re-Application	$575
Update of a Previously Filed Application (for those who are eligible to carry forward from the previous exam)	$275

Character & Fitness Fees

Character & Fitness Type	Fee
Character & Fitness Questionnaire	$575
Character & Fitness Update Form (for applicants who are applying for the bar exam and have previously submitted a completed Character & Fitness Questionnaire less than five (5) years ago)	$300

The following documents are required for first-time applicants who have never applied for a previous bar exam in Virginia.

• Fingerprint Card
• Educational Verification Documents (Electronically generated forms accepted)
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Educational Verification Documents


I Have Not Yet Graduated from Law School
• A Certificate of Legal Studies is required with your application. A Certificate of Legal Studies is a letter on your law school’s letterhead stating that you are enrolled and in good academic standing, having satisfactorily completed legal studies amounting to at least five semesters (or the equivalent of at least five semesters on a system other than a semester system) of full time study, and that you are on schedule to receive a juris doctor degree at the conclusion of your sixth semester (or the equivalent thereof) at said law school in accordance with Section IV.E.1.c of the Rules.


• Upon graduation, you must submit a Certificate of Graduation. See “I Graduated from an ABA Approved Law School with a JD Degree” requirements below. Your Certificate of Graduation should be submitted as soon as possible after your graduation.


I Graduated from an ABA Approved Law School with a JD Degree
• A Certificate of Graduation is required certifying you obtained a juris doctor (JD) degree. A Certificate of Graduation is an original letter on your law school's letterhead, with applicable seal, certifying you obtained a JD degree, and the day, month and year of your graduation. Your Certificate of Graduation must be personally signed by the president, dean, or other proper official. Certificates with stamped signatures, transcripts, diplomas, etc. do not comply with the rules.


I Graduated from a non-ABA Approved Law School (including foreign law schools) and obtained an LL.M. from an ABA Approved Law School*
• Verification of your non-ABA approved law school degree is required. Such verification can be a certified transcript from the non-ABA law school, or an original letter from the non-ABA law school certifying completion of such degree. If said document is not in English, the document must be accompanied by a duly authenticated English translation, translated by a certified translator.


• A Certificate of Graduation is required certifying you obtained an LL.M. degree from an ABA approved law school. A Certificate of Graduation is an original letter on your law school's letterhead, with applicable seal, certifying you obtained an LL.M. degree, and the day, month and year of your graduation. Your Certificate of Graduation must be personally signed by the president, dean, or other proper official. Certificates with stamped signatures, transcripts, diplomas, etc. do not comply with the rules.


• *Must be admitted to practice law before the court of last resort in any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.


Completed Law Reader Program
• Original Final Attorney's Certificate signed by your Supervising Attorney verifying completion of the Law Reader Program.
• Birth Certificate, Naturalization or Immigration documentation
• Complete and Accurate Addresses for your prior residences, schools, employers
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Complete and Accurate Addresses

It is VERY important for you to obtain COMPLETE and ACCURATE addresses, including ZIP Codes, for:

• Prior Residences
• Schools
• Employers
• References




If an employer has moved since your employment, provide the employer's current mailing address. You should indicate this is not the address where you worked, but the employer's current mailing address.

If an employer is no longer in business, provide a reference who can verify your dates and status of employment, such as a manager, supervisor, etc.

If you provide inaccurate or inadequate information, it could delay the completion of your character & fitness investigation. Should you pass the bar exam, such delay could prevent you from attending the group admission ceremony.

The following documents may be required depending upon your response to certain questions.

• Petition for Non-Standard Testing Accommodations, with all attachments (part of the online forms)
• Certificates of Good Standing (for all jurisdictions in which you are/have ever been licensed, if any) (Electronically generated forms accepted)
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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.

• Option 3, Verification of Bar Passage Form (part of the online forms) (Electronically generated forms accepted)
• Concurrent Transfer Form and Fee
• Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree or Name Change Order for verification of current legal name
• DD214 - Military Report of Separation documents
• Non-U.S. 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 by 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.

Statutory Filing Deadline

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 on or before the Statutory Filing Deadline using a delivery method that you can track, or you may include a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard, which we will date-stamp and return to you.