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VIRGINIA

Board of Bar Examiners

Register

Education Verification

You 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.

 

You 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.

 

You 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.

  • *You 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.

 

You completed the Law Reader Program
  • Original Final Attorney's Certificate signed by your Supervising Attorney verifying completion of the Law Reader Program.