Skip to Content
https://admissions.dcappeals.gov/ will undergo brief maintenance. 00:00
Maintenance mode is started. Please do not perform any actions until the maintenance is completed.
District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


The following questions are frequently asked about District of Columbia Bar Admissions. Each of the below questions is linked to the corresponding answer.

For technical assistance with our website via email or to provide feedback regarding the website, click here.

Admissions FAQ's


- How do I apply for admission in D.C.?
- How long does it take to be admitted in D.C.?
- When is admission to the practice of law in D.C. complete?
- How do I apply by Motion/Waive In?
- Are bar review courses available through the Committee on Admissions?
- Is there a limit on how many times I can take the Exam?
- Is there a limit on how many times I may take the UBE exam if I am transferring my score from another jurisdiction?
- Are application fees refundable?
- When is a Certificate of Good Standing required with an application?
- Do I have to provide official UBE score reports?
- What are Motion/Waive and Special Legal Consultant Fees?
- What are the approved 26 credit hour courses?
- Can I take the bar exam without a passing MPRE score?
- Do you supply laptops?
- How do I request a Wall Certificate Request?
- What is DC Court of Appeals Address?
- How much are DC Bar Dues?
- How do I request a Certificate of Good Standing?

Photo Requirements


- What types of applications require an uploaded photo?


Admissions FAQ's


How do I apply for admission in D.C.?

All applicants must create an account and answer screening questions to determine eligibility to apply. For your application to be properly filed you must submit the electronic application, any supplemental documents, application fees, the District of Columbia authorization and release form and pay for the background investigation. Additional instructions related to the background investigation will be provided after you file your application. Specific information on how to apply by the various methods of application can be found on the Information & Applications page.

Back to TOP

How long does it take to be admitted in D.C.?
  • Exam Applicants: February Exam applicants are notified of results in May; July Exam applicants are notified of results in late October/early November. The character and fitness review is conducted for successful applicants following the notification of exam results. Applicants have the option to swear in in absentia immediately following certification.
  • Motion/Waive In Applicants: It can take 4-6 months to complete the admissions process for motion/waiver applications. (The 4 - 6 months starts from the date you submitted your application) Where the candidate has substantial international experience, the process may take up to 12 plus months. Once the background investigation is completed, the applications is queued for review. 
  • 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.
Back to TOP

When is admission to the practice of law in D.C. complete?
  • Admission to the practice of law in the District of Columbia is under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Court of Appeals. You may hold out that you are entitled to practice law once you have received notice that the Committee on Admissions of the D.C. Court of Appeals has accepted your swear-in documents. You will receive a email once your swear in documents have be accepted. (Processing time is 5 to 7 business days.)
  • You must also register with the D.C. Bar to receive your attorney license. All registration questions are answered by the DC Bar Membership Office 202-626-3475.
Back to TOP

How do I apply by Motion/Waive In?
  • Please create an account by visiting the Committee on Admissions website. You will need an email address for your user ID. Please register with an email that will be accessible to you for the duration of the application. Please read carefully and select the proper Motion Application.
Back to TOP

Are bar review courses available through the Committee on Admissions?
  • No. This office does not provide bar review courses. In addition to commercial providers, the National Conference of Bar examiners offers some study aids: www.ncbex.org.
Back to TOP

Is there a limit on how many times I can take the Exam?
  • Yes, you are limited to 4 attempts on any component of the exam. See Rule 46(c)(14).
Back to TOP

Is there a limit on how many times I may take the UBE exam if I am transferring my score from another jurisdiction?
  • Yes, you may not transfer a UBE score that was earned on the 5th (or more) attempt on the UBE in any jurisdiction. See Rule 46 (d)(3)(C).
Back to TOP

Are application fees refundable? No, application fees are NOT refundable nor transferable.. Back to TOP

When is a Certificate of Good Standing required with an application?
  • A Certificate of Good Standing is not required to apply for admission. However applicants who are admitted in another jurisdictions and are applying  by Three Year Provision must upload a Declaration of Three Years' Good Standing.
  • UBE Score Transfer applications do not require a certificate of good standing.
Back to TOP

Do I have to provide official UBE score reports?

Yes, request that NCBE send your scores  to the District of Columbia.

Back to TOP

What are Motion/Waive and Special Legal Consultant Fees?

Click here for a breakdown of the Motion/ Waive In Fees and Special Legal Consultant Fees.

Back to TOP

What are the approved 26 credit hour courses?
  • Please refer to the memo “Guidance for Graduates of non-ABA Approved Law Schools: Here
Back to TOP

Can I take the bar exam without a passing MPRE score?
  • Yes, you may take the bar exam, however you will not be admitted to the bar without having earned a passing score of 75 or higher.
Back to TOP

Do you supply laptops? No, applicants must provide their own laptop computers. Back to TOP

How do I request a Wall Certificate Request? Back to TOP

What is DC Court of Appeals Address?

Committee on Admissions DC Court of Appeals,

Room 123 430 E Street,

NW Washington,

DC 20001

Back to TOP

How much are DC Bar Dues? Back to TOP

How do I request a Certificate of Good Standing? Back to TOP

Photo Requirements


What types of applications require an uploaded photo?

Only bar exam applications require a photo.

Back to TOP