Dear July Bar Examinee
By Dear July Bar Examinee,
You’re in the sweet spot . . . kind of. Law school graduation is quickly approaching, and the bar exam is still eight months away. Before you get too comfy though, we suggest you get started on the North Carolina Bar Application.
This application, which opened November 2, is unlike any you’ve completed before, and once you complete it, you may feel that the person reviewing your application will know you better than your own mother.
Fear not: the Bar Exam Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division is here to help you with this process!
Where do I find the application?
The application is conducted through a portal on the Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina website. All applicants must create an account and fill out their application through that portal. However, once the application is complete online, you will be required to print two copies of your application and mail it (or hand deliver it) to the NCBLE. The application is not “submitted” online.
When is the application open?
For a “timely” filing of a non-licensed applicant, the application opened on November 2, 2022, and closes on January 3, 2023. For a “late” filing, the application must be filed by March 7, 2023.
What does the application cost?
A “timely” filed application for a non-licensed applicant costs $850 and a “late” application costs $1,100.
What kind of information will I have to give in my application?
Part of the reason bar applications are so difficult is that they require the applicant to give comprehensive information about themselves. For example, in North Carolina, a non-licensed applicant must give twelve personal references and these cannot be people identified elsewhere in your application. You also have to provide all employment history, disciplinary actions, and more.
What kind of documents will I have to submit with my application?
North Carolina requires that you submit fingerprints with your application. You will also have to submit a certified copy of your birth certificate, educational transcripts, a passport photo, and driving records from every state in which you’ve been licensed (word to the wise: some states are much slower at responding than others, especially through the holidays, so order these records early).
What else do I have to do to become a lawyer in North Carolina?
Besides passing the bar exam, applicants must pass the MPRE within the time parameters set by the state, successfully pass their character and fitness interview, and complete the North Carolina state-specific videos.
For more information about the North Carolina Bar Application, please attend our virtual event on December 1 at noon, featuring an employee from the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners. You can find out more and register on the event page.