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State Bar Information

Preparing to take the bar exam begins the moment you arrive at California Western. From taking foundational law courses, to bar exam preparation workshops, to the application, we are here to help make sure you have the resources you need as you prepare to sit for the bar.

The State Bar of California

The California State Bar has two offices in the Golden State. These offices are in San Francisco (415 -538-2300) and Los Angeles (213-765-1500). 

All the forms you need are only available on the State Bar of California Admissions page. The following is some basic information about registering with the State Bar of California, which includes submitting three applications.

If you are planning to take the California Bar Exam, you must first register with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. If you register while in law school, this is called "Law Student Registration." You must complete this registration before submitting any other applications, such as the Moral Character application or the Application to Take the California Bar Exam. 

California Western students are exempt from taking the Bar’s First-Year Law Student Exam. 

Moral Character Determination Application

Anyone seeking admission to the State Bar of California must submit a Moral Character Determination Application. The Committee of Bar Examiners’ Subcommittee on Moral Character leads the inquiry into an applicant's background. Each case is considered on an individual basis. This process can take eight to 10 months to complete. To avoid delays in certification after passage of the Bar Exam, applicants should file the moral character application before their last year of law school.

The California Bar Exam is administered in February and July every year. Applications for the February exam are usually available October 1. The timely filing deadline is usually November 1. Applications for the July exam are usually available March 1. The timely filing deadline is usually April 1. You can register on the State Bar's Admissions page.

Practical training for law students

The State Bar of California's Practical Training of Law Students program certifies law students to provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney.

 

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Accommodations for the California State Bar

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to make arrangements for testing accommodations well in advance of the examination. It is recommended the petition be filed before the last year of law school and no later than six months before the exam. For exact filing dates visit the California Bar’s website.

Make sure to bring Form F to CWSL’s Student and Diversity Services for verification. Head to the California State Bar website to download Form F. Please allow the office sufficient time to fill out the form.

If you have additional questions regarding accommodations, please contact The State Bar of California Office of Admissions at (213) 765-1500.


The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

he National Conference of Bar Examiners administers the test three times a year, typically in March, August and November. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is required for admission to the State Bar of California and for admission to the Bar in most states. 

It is recommended you complete a professional responsibility/ethics course before taking the exam, but it is not required.

Links to other state bar exams

Students planning to seek admission to the State Bar in states other than California are urged to contact the bar admissions office of that state as soon as possible upon entering school.