Bar Exam Information
Listed below are some of the upcoming deadlines to register for the 2009 bar exam in the 8 states where WVU College of Law graduates have been most likely to take the bar exam. Please note these dates and plan accordingly. These have a way of sneaking up on you and you don’t want to have to pay exorbitant late fees or, even worse, not be able to take the bar. You are responsible for double checking and making sure you meet these deadlines. There is a wealth of information on all of the states’ bar exams, including how to register, at www.ncbex.org. If you are interested in taking the bar exam in a state that is not listed below, check the www.ncbex.org site.
The 2009 July bar exam dates (for most states) are Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29, 2009. Thus, plan your wedding, honeymoon, vacation or other frolic for after these dates!
West Virginia—Registration deadline is April 1, 2009; late deadline w/late fee is May 1, 2009.
Virginia—Registration deadline (final! only one!) is May 10, 2009.
Pennsylvania—First deadline (w/o late fee) is April 15, 2009; others with progressively larger late fees include April 30, May 15, and the final deadline of May 30, 2009.
Ohio—Registration deadline is November 15, 2008; late deadline w/late fee is January 15, 2009.
North Carolina—Registration deadline is January 6, 2009; last date to register (includes late fees) is March 3, 2009.
Maryland—Registration deadline is January 16, 2009; last date to register with late fee is May 20, 2009.
Georgia—Registration deadline is December 3, 2008; last date to register with late fee is March 4, 2009.
WEST VIRGINIA
For the most complete information go to West Virginia Court System Website and click on Board of Law Examiners under the Lawyers and Judges heading.
You will find names of the staff, the fee schedule, bar application information, reciprocity list, bar exam subjects, rules of admission to the practice of law, and a link to the National Conference of Bar Examiners site.
It has been the practice most years for the Board of Bar Examiners to schedule an information session at the College of Law for students.
Also, at that time,staff members have had available bar application packets which students may pick up by presenting a check for $40.00 made out to the State of West Virginia. If you miss this opportunity, the Career Services Office has application forms and envelopes for students to request the packets by mail.
The address is:
WV Board of Law Examiners
910 Quarrier Street, Davidson Bldg.
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-558-7815
Fax: 304-558-0831
e-mail: suerubenstein@courtswv.org
OTHER STATES
For all other states, go to the National Conference of Bar Examiners website, and click on Bar Admission Offices.
Then click on the first initial of the name of the state you wish to research. This will take you to the address of that state’s board of bar examiners and also give you the web site address.
FIRST YEAR ALERT
If you know in your first year where you want to begin your professional career, check out the web site of that state because some states, such as Ohio, charge you less for the bar if you register early in your first year.
MBE
This site also will give you information on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
MPRE
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination is a 50 question, two-hour, multiple-choice examination administered three times each year. Packets for registering for the MPRE may be picked up in the Career Services Office, or you may register on line at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.
Students do not have to wait until their third year to take the MPRE. You may take the MPRE any time after you have had the Professional Responsibility course.
The next MPRE exam is Saturday, November 8, 2008. The regular deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 30, 2008. The last and late deadline is Saturday, October 11, 2008.
You must take and pass the MPRE prior to being admitted to the WV State Bar and the Bar in 46 other states.
To register on line, learn more about the test, and order sample test materials, go to www. act.org/mpre
Contact your Bar/Bri representatives to learn more about their MPRE study program and sample tests.