The Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners have been amended pursuant to changes to Section 54.1-3926 of the Code of Virginia, effective July 1, 2022. See Section II.A and Section IV.E.1. Beginning with the February 2023 Virginia Bar Exam, an applicant who has "[s]atisfactorily 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 at a law school approved by the American Bar Association or the Board" will be eligible to take the Virginia bar exam. If you have questions about whether you meet these educational requirements, please contact your law school.

Please Note: For applicants who meet the new educational requirements, the online application to apply for the February 2023 Virginia Bar Exam will be available on or about September 1, 2022.

Filing Deadline: The statutory filing deadline for the February 2023 Bar Exam is December 15, 2022. Click here for information.

COVID-19 Application Modifications: Click here for information.

Supreme Court of Virginia Rule 1A:9 – Virginia Legal Aid Counsel – this new Rule, effective March 12, 2022, allows licensed attorneys seeking employment with a Virginia Legal Aid Society to be admitted in Virginia.

Click here for additional information.

The Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners have been updated to reflect the removal of Agency, Constitutional Law and Equity as subject areas tested on the Virginia Essay exam. Click here for updated Rules.

COVID-19 Application Modifications: Click here for information.

The Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (VJLAP) is an independent non-profit organization which provides confidential, non-disciplinary assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, legal professionals, and their family members who experience impairment as a result of substance abuse and/or mental health conditions. More information is available at https://vjlap.org.