First Time Applicant Instructions

(Print this page as a checklist)

Anticipated law school graduates who did not timely register in the Law Student Registration Program, recent law graduates, members of  another bar, or non-members whose NCBE Application for Character Report is received more than one year after juris doctor is awarded:

  1. Create an account on this website
  2. Submit the on-line Bar Examination Application form.
  3. Download and print Bar Examination Application, Authorization and Release Form, and Dean Certification form.
  4. Sign and notarize, where applicable, these forms.
  5. Complete the top portion of the Dean Certification form and mail it directly to your law school.
  6. Mail the Bar Examination Application form, the notarized Authorization and Release form and the $550.00 application fee to the Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions.  The application period for the February examination is September 1 to November 1.  The application period for the July examination is December 1 to February 1. The application must be received (not postmarked) by the Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions on or before February 1 for the July Bar Examination and on or before November 1 for the February Bar Examination.
  7. Late applications (received no later than January 15 for the February Bar Examination and June 30 for the July Bar Examination) must include a late fee of $750 payable to the Committee on Bar Admissions in addition to the application fee.
  8. If you were enrolled in one of the ABA accredited law schools in this state and could have, but did not, participate in the Law Student Registration Program, include in addition to all other fees, the Late Law Student Application Fee to be paid to the Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions in the amount of $200.
  9. Go to http://www.ncbex.org/ea/ and, following the instructions provided, submit a Request for Preparation of a Character Report to the

    National Conference of Bar Examiners
    302 South Bedford Street
    Madison, WI 53703-3622

    10. The application period for the February examination is September 1 to November 1.  The application period for the July examination is December 1 to February 1.  The Request for Preparation of a Character Report must be received (not postmarked) by the NCBE on or before February 1 for the July Bar Examination and on or before November 1 for the February Bar Examination. Late applications (received no later than January 15 for the February Bar Examination and June 30 for the July Bar Examination) will be assessed the $750 late fee by the Committee on Bar Admissions.

    For general instructions for NCBE Request for Preparation of Character Report, click here.

  10. If you have not already done so, contact the MPRE Records Department at (319) 337-1304 or at mpre.score@act.org to release your score to the Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions.
  11. If you are a member of the Bar in another state having passed the MPRE in fulfillment of the bar admissions requirement in your state of admission, and your MPRE score is more than five years old, the Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions will accept your MPRE score if the Committee receives a letter directly from the CLE office in your state of admission stating that you are current in your CLE obligation for the year that you are sitting for the examination.