All Announcements
July Bar Exam
There is no cause for concern if you have not yet received your ticket to the bar exam. Please do not call the office unless you have not received a ticket by 5:00PM on Monday July 18, 2022. Thank you for your patience.
Virtual Swearing in Ceremonies Streaming Live
If you wish to view the virtual Swearing -In Ceremonies being held July 6, 2022, please select a link below:
DC Court of Appeals Swearing-In-Ceremony - July 6, 2022 - 10:00 A.M.
DC Court of Appeals Swearing-In-Ceremony - July 6, 2022 - 12:00 P.M.
Congratulations to the newly admitted members of the DC Bar!!
Application by UBE Score Transfer
Applicants for the Uniform Bar Exam in other jurisdictions who wish to submit a concurrent application may do so beginning today, June 1st. Individuals who complete the D.C. character and fitness application between June 1 to June 15 will be reviewed for character and fitness in time for the swearing-in ceremony on January 25, 2023.2 Applications submitted after June 15th likewise will receive expedited review once the background report is completed. All UBE score transfer applicants must have a UBE score of at least 266 and an MPRE minimum score of 75 in addition to meeting all other requirements before they can be certified for admission.
To apply select: Application for Admission By Transferred UBE Score
The fee for applicants applying concurrently is reduced to $232. You must have a concurrent application for the July UNIFORM BAR EXAM in another jurisdiction to be eligible for this fee. To receive the reduced fee, please send an email to: shamlin@dcappeals.gov BEFORE submitting payment once you have completed your application.
Update July Bar Exam
Registration for the July Bar Exam is closed.
July 6 Virtual Swearing-In Ceremony Update
The July 6th virtual swearing-in ceremony is open to all attorneys who have been certified and / or admitted within the past 12 months. The registration link for the ceremony will be available on this website beginning on June 20th. Registration for the ceremony will close at 12:00 pm ET on July 5th. The ceremony will be live streamed on the D.C. Courts YouTube channel.
July Bar Exam Statement
Please read the July Bar Exam Statement regarding registration, UBE score transfer applications and other important information.
Non-ABA Educational Requirements
Non-ABA law school graduates and foreign trained candidates who wish to apply for admission by bar exam, or by transfer of UBE score, should review this announcement to make sure they satisfy the education requirement.
NOTICE 2022 February Uniform Bar Exam
The Notice of the 2022 February Uniform Bar Exam with the names of the successful candidates is now available.
July 2022 Bar Exam Application Forms Are Available
The updated Bonafide Applicant Attestation Form and Vaccination Attestation Form are now available. The Authorization and Release Form can be notarized up to thirty days before an application is submitted. On-line notarizations are accepted.
July 2022 Bar Exam Update
July 2022 Bar Exam Update
The standard administration of the July 2022 Uniform Bar Exam will take place at the D.C. Armory (DC Armory | Events DC), on July 26 & 27, 2022. The seating capacity for the exam is 1100. This includes all standard and accommodated seating. Registration will close when the seating capacity is reached.
Priority registration on May 12 to May 17 is restricted to first time bar exam takers who have been, or will be awarded a Juris Doctor degree by October 26, 2022 from local area law schools. These law schools are:
American University, Washington College of Law
Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America
David A. Clarke School of Law, University of the District of Columbia
George Mason, Antonin Scalia Law School
George Washington University Law School
Georgetown University Law Center
Howard University School of Law
General registration for all applicants will open on May 18 and close when the seating capacity is reached.
July 2022 District of Columbia Uniform Bar Exam Announcement
General information on the July 2022 District of Columbia administration of the Uniform Bar Exam is available: click here.
Rule 46(e)(3)(b) Changes
On March 31st at 11:59pm, changes to Rule 46(e)(3)(B) will go into effect, eliminating the provision allowing admission to the D.C. Bar based on attaining a 133 on the Multistate Bar Examination plus being admitted to another bar. Please see the below FAQs or contact the Office of Admission through the Contact page for any further questions.
FAQ:
Q: When is the deadline for the submission of a Motion by MBE Score Transfer application?
A: The deadline is March 31, 2022 at 11:59pm. All materials and payment to the Committee on Admission must be submitted by March 31st. The Committee will not accept any rule 46(e)(3)(b) – Motion by MBE Score Transfer applications after 11:59pm on March 31st.
Q: Do I need to pay the NCBE Character and Fitness Background Check Fee by March 31st in order to have my application considered?
A: No, you do not. You will receive an email from NCBE regarding payment for the background investigation 7 to 10 days after you submit your application to the Committee on Admissions.
Q: Who qualifies to submit an application for Motion by MBE Score transfer?
A: Individuals who have gained admission to the bar of another jurisdiction with a qualifying MBE score of 133 or higher earned on a Non-Uniform Bar Exam in that jurisdiction. This does not include a score from the abbreviated 100 question MBE from the October 2020 remote exam. Additionally, applicants who took the Uniform Bar Exam in another jurisdiction do not qualify for this form of admission.
Q: I sat for the remote exam in October 2020, can I still apply?
A: If you sat for the October remote exam in one of the following jurisdictions, you may apply based on a minimum overall score of 266: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, jurisdictions with a reciprocity agreement. If you did not take the bar exam in one of these jurisdictions you are not eligible to apply based on an overall score, or based on the abbreviated 100 question MBE.
Q: I took the UBE exam but did not receive a qualifying score, can I still apply if my MBE score is 133 or higher?
A: APPLICANTS WHO TOOK A UNIFORM BAR EXAM ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS METHOD OF ADMISSION.
Q: I am qualified to apply under rule 46(e)(3)(b) and am admitted in my jurisdiction but have not been issued a bar number and/or fully listed into the rolls for the jurisdiction.
A: Please send documentation from your bar admitting authority that indicates that you have met all admission requirements.
Q: I will not be able to submit my application by March 31st at 11:59pm, how to I waive this requirement?
A: Click here for information on submitting a motion to the DC Court of Appeals.
Q: I took a non-UBE bar exam and earned the minimum score of 133. I also have three years’ good standing in another jurisdiction. Which method of application should I use?
A: Please apply by the “Three Years’ Good Standing” provision (D.C. App. Rule 46(e)(3)(a)).
Bar Exam Parking Near Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Bar Exam Parking near Walter E. Washington Convention Center: click here.
July 2021 Bar Exam Passers - Certifications for Admission
The certification of July 2021 successful bar exam applicants is ongoing. Please do not worry if you have not yet been certified. Staff reviewers are working as quickly as possible to complete the certification review of all successful bar exam applicants. If you have an urgent employment related situation you may send an email to:mwehling@dcappeals.gov. Do not use this email for other inquiries or application status updates.
Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice
As of January 8, 2022, the Committee on Admissions will no longer accept Pro Hac Vice applications via courier, U.S. Mail, email or in person. Please follow the instructions on how to submit Pro Hac Vice applications under the Information & Applications tab.
Notice of Successful Applicants - July 2021 Bar Exam
The 2200 applicants for the July 2021 Uniform Bar Exam have been notified of their results. A total of 1609 individuals who sat for exam were successful for a pass rate of 73%. The list of successful applicants has been posted.
Authorization & Release Form
The Authorization and Release Form that is a required document to be uploaded to your account on this website with your application can be notarized using an online service.
How do I check the status of my application?
- For questions about the status of your application, please log into your account and use the "Create Message" button to send your inquiry directly to the staff reviewer responsible for your application.
Office of the Committee on Admissions and Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law Phone hours:
Office of the Committee on Admissions and Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law phone hours:
Monday and Wednesday through Friday 8:30am - 11:00am and 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Tuesday 8:30am - 9:30am; 11:00am - noon and 3:00pm - 5:00pm.
Amended Rules on Admission
D.C. App. R. 46 has been amended. Changes include: the requirement for a full UBE for admission by bar exam, the reduction from five to three years for admission based on admission in another jurisdiction, the elimination of eligibility for admission based on admission in another jurisdiction in combination with a minimum MBE score of 133 (effective March 31, 2022), clarification on distance learning in connection with credits earned by graduates of non-ABA law schools and the addition of Essential Eligibility Requirements.
Certificates of Good Standing are now issued by the DC Bar on behalf of the Court of Appeals
Certificates of Good Standing are now issued by the DC Bar on behalf of the Court of Appeals. Mail requests received by the Committee on Admissions will be returned to the requestor. For more information on the processing of Certificates please contact the DC Bar. Pro hac vice and pro bono applications continue to be issued by the Office of the Committee on Admissions.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION on MOTION WHO ARE SUBJECT TO THE 360 DAY PRACTICE LIMITATION UNDER RULE 49
Pursuant to the amendment to D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(8), “Upon request and for good cause shown, the Director of the Committee on Admissions may extend beyond 360 days the period during which a person is authorized to practice under Rule 49(c)(8).” Please submit all requests in writing to: Shela Shanks, Director, COA/CUPL by email: sshanks@dcappeals.gov
Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law Opinion 24-20
Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law Opinion 24-20: Teleworking from Home and the COVID-19 Pandemic
D.C. Court of Appeals Swearing-In Ceremony YouTube Link
The D.C. Court of Appeals Swearing In Ceremony scheduled for July 7, 2021 can be watched live on YouTube. We encourage applicants to share the links below with friends and family so that they may join in welcoming the newest members to the DC Bar.
10:00 A.M. Ceremony - https://youtu.be/SnfM-ecjhG0
12:00 P.M. Ceremony - https://youtu.be/qh1gsg0H8IU
FEBRUARY 2021 BAR EXAM RESULTS
The February 2021 bar exam candidates have been notified of their results by email. The Notice of the results from the Chair of the Committee on Admissions is posted for public review.
Timeline for the Launch of the New Application Website
Welcome to the new District of Columbia Committee on Admissions online application. We are excited about our new system; it will simplify the application
process for applicants by eliminating the need to apply separately with
the court and for the background investigation with the NCBE. The new system will help us make admissions
more efficient--once it is fully implemented. The timeline for the launch of the new system is below and instructions for claiming an account, registering a new account and submitting an application are below.
May 3, 2021 (10:00 am ET): Prospective applicants on motion and July bar exam applicants may create their accounts and preview application questions.
- Applicants who submitted applications for admission to the D.C. Bar by April 15, 2021 can claim their accounts by following these instructions on How to Claim Your Account.
- First-time applicants to the D.C. Bar can create an account by selecting "Create an Account"on the Homepage.
May 10 (10:00 am ET) to May 28, 2021 (5:00 pm ET): July Bar Exam Registration period.
- The three week period has been delayed by one week. All applications must be submitted by May 28, 2021 (5:00 pm ET). There is no late filing period.
- The deadline for Accommodations requests has not changed. The deadline is May 21, 2021 (5:00 pm ET)
May 12, 2021 (10:00 am ET): Individuals who wish to apply by UBE Score Transfer, MBE Score Transfer and by Five Year Provision may begin their applications.
For questions, applicants may contact the email associated with the alphabetical range containing their last name:
A to Ch - kallen@dcappeals.gov
Ci to Gr - nlane@dcappeals.gov
Gs to Kr - sparrish@dcappeals.gov
Ks to Ni - iwelch@dcappeals.gov
Nj to Sh - ddade@dcappeals.gov
Si to Z - rhunter@dcappeals.gov
Application for Admission by D.C. App. R. 46A - (Emergency Exam Waiver) has closed
The deadline for applications for admission by D.C. App. R. 46A, Emergency Exam Waiver ("EEW") was April 30, 2021. Applicants who submitted motions for waivers of requirements by the April 30th deadline, and whose motions are granted by the court, will have 15 days to submit an EEW application. Applications and motions filed after the April 30th deadline will not be accepted.
District of Columbia Court of Appeals Order Extending Temporary Rules
For temporary provisions adopted in 2020 that are carried over to the July 2021 Bar Exam please see the court order issued March 10, 2021.
Bar Examination July 2019 Results
Bar Examination July 2019 Results click here.
Administrative Order 1-19
Please see , Administrative Order 1-19 for Temporary Suspension of Rule Requiring Law Students Practicing in D.C. to Register with this Court and be issued a Student Bar Membership Card