Bar Info

Upon recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), the New York Court of Appeals adopted the UBE effective with the July 2016 administration of the New York State bar examination.

The UBE is a high quality, uniform battery of tests that is administered contemporaneously in every other jurisdiction that has adopted the UBE. It consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE).

The UBE tests knowledge of general principles of law, legal analysis and reasoning, and communication skills – essentially, it tests the fundamental knowledge and lawyering skills that are needed to begin the practice of law. The UBE is uniformly administered, graded and scored, and it results in a score that can then be transferred to other UBE jurisdictions.

The UBE is administered on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July (view dates here). During the morning session on Tuesday (9:30 am to 12:30 pm), applicants are given three hours to complete two MPT items. During the afternoon session on Tuesday (2:00 pm to 5:00 pm), applicants are given three hours to answer six MEE questions. On Wednesday, applicants will take the MBE, which is a six-hour, 200 question multiple-choice exam divided into two three-hour sessions (9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm).An applicant must achieve a score of 266 or higher (on a 400 point scale) on the UBE, whether taken in New York or another jurisdiction, in order to qualify for admission in New York.

In order to apply for the UBE, you must provide your National Conference of Board Examiners (NCBE) number. For information on obtaining an NCBE number, select the tab “NCBE Account” at the NCBE website.

Registration for the UBE is open from November 1 – 30 for the February exam and April 1 – 30 for the July exam. Late applications will not be accepted, so be sure to register early.

A few weeks after registration closes, you will receive emails with two attachments: a Certificate of Attendance form and a Handwriting Sample form. They are bar-coded specifically for each candidate.

• Certificate of Attendance
  Keep this form for your records. We will also receive a copy of this form, so you do not need to submit this to St. John’s.
• Handwriting Sample
  Bring a photo ID and the bar-coded handwriting form that your received via email to the Registrar’s Office. You must fill out the form in the presence of a member of the Registrar’s Office. Do not complete any part of the form prior to bringing it to the office.

If you require accommodations for the UBE, you must apply before registration closes (November 30 for the February exam or April 30 for the July exam). We strongly recommend that you apply early in case they require additional information or documentation. Please see more information here.

In New York, applicants to the Bar must complete the following in addition to passing the Bar Exam. Please read the full details on the New York State Board of Law Examiners website, and click the section headers to visit pages with more detailed information. You can find the multi department admission application here.

• New York Law Course

The New York Law Course is an online, on demand course on important and unique principles of New York law in the following subjects: Administrative Law, Business Relationships, Civil Practice and Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Matrimonial and Family Law, Professional Responsibility, Real Property, Torts and Tort Damages, and Trusts, Wills and Estates. It consists of approximately 15 hours of video lectures with embedded questions.

• New York Law Exam

Upon completion of the NYLC, applicants take the New York Law Exam. The NYLE is offered four times each year (view dates here). Registration for the NYLE closes 30 days before the exam date and you may not register for the NYLE before you have completed the NYLC. Therefore, we recommend you plan to complete the NYLC more than 30 days before your preferred NYLE exam date.

If you require accommodations for the NYLE and are a new applicant, you must apply 90 days prior to the date of the NYLE. Please see more information here.

• Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice examination that is administered three times per year (view dates here). It is required for admission to the bars of all but three U.S. jurisdictions. Because MPRE requirements vary from one jurisdiction to another, examinees are advised to check with the bar admission agency in the jurisdiction to which they seek admission before registering for the MPRE. Passing scores are established by each jurisdiction.

If you require accommodations for the MPRE, you must request accommodations before you complete the NCBE portion of the MPRE registration process or schedule your test appointment. For detailed information about how to prepare and submit your request, see How to Prepare Your Request for MPRE Test Accommodations. We advise that your request be submitted as far in advance of your desired test administration as possible, and preferably by the Recommended Submission Date for that administration.

• Skills Competency Requirement

Applicants who commence their law school studies after August 1, 2016 must comply with the Skills Competency Requirement set forth in Section 520.18 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals. Applicants may satisfy this requirement by completing one of five separate pathways. St. John’s Law JD graduates complete Pathway 1 in the course of their studies.

• Pro Bono Requirement

Pursuant to Rule 520.16 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals, applicants who successfully pass the bar examination in New York State must demonstrate that they have performed 50 hours of qualifying pro bono service before applying for admission to practice. Please view the Pro Bono Requirement FAQs for more information.

Many St. John’s students may also take the New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida Bar Exams. Here are some of the requirements to be admitted to the Bar of those states. This is not an exhaustive list, so please be sure to confirm with the specific jurisdiction. You can find more information on the National Conference of Bar Examiners website, where you can find a guide for all jurisdictions with links to the states’ websites.

New Jersey

To be admitted to the New Jersey Bar one must:

1. qualify for and pass the New Jersey bar examination or apply using a qualifying Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score (minimum score: 266), or qualify and apply for admission by motion;
2. pass the MPRE with a 75 or higher or pass an approved law school course on ethics with a “C-” or better.

Connecticut

To be admitted to the Connecticut Bar one must:

1. qualify for and pass the Connecticut bar examination or apply using a qualifying Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score (minimum score: 266), or qualify and apply for admission by motion;
2. pass the MPRE with an 80 or higher or receive a grade of C or better in a professional responsibility course at an approved law school.

Pennsylvania

To be admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar one must:

1. qualify for and pass the bar examination administered by or under the authority of the Board (Please note that Pennsylvania does not use the UBE for their bar exam);
2. pass the MPRE with a 75 or higher.

*Note-In Feb. 2021 the PA Board of Law Examiners announced that Pennsylvania would adopt the UBE, starting with the July 2022 bar exam.

Florida

To be admitted to the Florida Bar one must:

1. qualify for and pass the bar examination administered by or under the authority of the Board (Please note that Florida does not use the UBE for their bar exam);
2. pass the MPRE with an 80 or higher.

Qualifying to take the New York Bar Exam based on foreign legal education and an LL.M. can be a complicated process. The New York Board of Law Examiners, operating under the New York State Court of Appeals, sets the rules for who is allowed to sit for the New York Bar Exam. Those rules include very specific conditions about the mandatory courses and degrees. The first step to finding out if you qualify to sit for the New York Bar Exam with an LL.M. degree is requesting an advanced evaluation of eligibility from the Board of Law Examiners. This process requires an online application, original documentation confirming foreign credentials, and can take up to 8 months. St. John’s does not have any control over this process. The New York Board of Law Examiners explains the requirements for internationally educated lawyers and law graduates on their website, here.

All LL.M. students interested in qualifying for the bar exam should review the rules and deadlines and make an appointment with their academic advisor to discuss their plans to take the Bar Exam.

Click here to access an LL.M. Bar-Track Guide (updated as of October 2023) for additional information and resources. 

Below are options for lenders offering loans specifically for recent graduates studying for the bar exam. These loans are not endorsed by St. John’s Law and we do not recommend one over another. Please research thoroughly.

• Sallie Mae
• Discover
• Wells Fargo
• PNC

Do I need to select a department on the Form Law School Certificate?

Yes, you must check the department to which you are applying on the form.

What if I can’t get a response from a past employer to provide me with an affidavit of law-related employment?

Make sure to document your attempts: keep a record of your emails, phone calls, and mailed correspondence. Three or more attempts is reasonable over a 1-2 month period. Then in lieu of the missing affidavit, you submit an affidavit that attests to your good faith efforts at getting an affidavit from your legal employer.

If you have serious hardship in doing this, please contact the BOLE at (518) 453-5990.

Is there a pro bono requirement to graduate?

No, there is no pro bono requirement to earn your JD. However, St. John’s Law students who complete 500 or more hours of qualifying pro bono work are eligible to receive a Public Service Award at Commencement.

There is, however, a pro bono requirement to be admitted to the NYS Bar. Please see more information here. Note-for Spring 2020 graduates, the pro bono requirement has been waived by the NY Court of Appeals.

• BTTB - February 25, 2024
• BTTB - February 18, 2024
• BTTB - February 11, 2024
• BTTB - February 4, 2024
• BTTB - January 28, 2024
• BTTB - January 14, 2024
• BTTB - January 7, 2024
• BTTB - July 23, 2023
• BTTB - July 2, 2023
• BTTB - July 9, 2023
• BTTB - June 25, 2023
• BTTB - May 22, 2023
• BTTB – February 20, 2023
• BTTB – February 13, 2023
• BTTB – February 6, 2023
• BTTB – January 30, 2023
• BTTB – January 23, 2023
• BTTB – January 17, 2023
• BTTB – January 9, 2023
• BTTB – January 3, 2023
• BTTB – December 19, 2022

Scheduling for Success in Law School & On the Bar Info Session - October 26, 2023
In this presentation, your 3L Ambassadors discuss with 1Ls and 2Ls about how best to use your time at SJU and set yourself up for success on the Bar exam, MPRE, and NYLE.

Watch the presentation recording here.

View the slides used in the presentation here.

LL.M. Bar Exam Eligibility and Application Info Session - September 20, 2023
In this presentation, Senior Dir. Bar Preparation Rachel Paras details the necessary procedures and deadlines for LL.M.s planning to take the NYS Bar exam. 

Watch the presentation recording here.

View the slides used in the presentation here.

July 2023 Bar Exam Information Sessions

• It is critical that you continue to check your St. John’s email address regularly to receive timely updates.
• If you have not done so already, please visit the Bar Information page for information about the exam and admission to the bar.

Session I: Applying to Take and Preparing for the Bar Exam
In this presentation, Senior Dir. Bar Preparation Rachel Paras and Associate Dean for Student Services Eric Shannon provide detailed instructions on the components of the admission process, with a focus on registering for the July 2023 exam starting April 1 and preparing to take the July 2023 exam.

Watch the presentation recording here.

View the slides used in the presentation here.

Session II: Navigating the Character & Fitness Process
In this presentation, Senior Dir. Bar Preparation Rachel Paras and Associate Dean for Student Services Eric Shannon provide a comprehensive presentation of the Character & Fitness Application process. 

Watch the presentation recording here.

View the slides used in the presentation here.

Access the Guide to Applying for Admission to Practice
 

MBE Workshop hosted by Chuck Shonholtz from BarBri - March 27, 2023
Chuck Shonholtz hosts a presentation about successful strategies for answering multiple-choice (MBE) questions on the bar exam. Chuck provides his signature expertise and humor to help you understand the best ways to approach the multiple-choice questions and how to increase your accuracy as we head into "bar prep season."

Watch the presentation recording here.

View the slides used in the presentation here.

Session I: Applying to Take and Preparing for the Bar Exam
In this presentation, Senior Dir. Bar Preparation Rachel Paras and Assistant Dean for Student Services Eric Shannon provide detailed instructions on the components of the admission process, with a focus on registering for the July 2022 exam starting April 1 and preparing to take the July 2022 exam.

Watch the presentation recording here.

View the slides used in the presentation here.

Session II: Navigating the Character & Fitness Process
On April 12, 2022, Part II of the Bar Information series focusing on the character and fitness process in New York State took place on campus. Senior Dir. Bar Preparation Rachel Paras and Assistant Dean for Student Services Eric Shannon were joined by Wendy S. Van Dorn, Esq., Deputy Executive, Committees on Character and Fitness-Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, and  Veronica Guerrero, Esq., Counsel to Committee on Character & Fitness, New York State Supreme Court-Appellate Division, First Department.

A recording of the presentation is available via Panopto here as are the slides presented; graduating students should also review the New York Guide to Applying for Admission to Practice as soon as possible.

Scheduling for Success in Law School and on the Bar for 1Ls & 2Ls Info Session - October 26, 2022
This is an information session presented by your 3L Ambassadors targeted to 1Ls and 2Ls about how best to use your time at SJU and set yourself up for success on the Bar exam, MPRE, and NYLE.

Access the recording HERE.

Access the slides used in the presentation HERE.
 

Session I: Applying to Take and Preparing for the Bar Exam
In this presentation, Professor Erica Fine and Eric Shannon provide detailed instructions on the various components of the admission process, including necessary actions following your graduation. They also discuss how to register and prepare for the exam itself.

Watch the presentation video here.

Watch the Q&A video here.

Access the slides here.

Session II: Navigating the Character & Fitness Process
The second bar information session is a presentation on Navigating the Character & Fitness Process where Patricia Collins, Former Deputy Executive at Committee on Character and Fitness for the Second Department, joins Eric Shannon to discuss some of the pitfalls students face when going through the Character and Fitness process. She also speaks about recent changes or requirements surrounding the Character and Fitness process.

Watch the presentation video here.

Access the slides here.

“Character and fitness guide” from the presiding justices of the Appellate Divisions

Instructions for accessing your original law school application and on how to request an amendment to your original application. (Note for LL.M. students and alumni: all requests should be submitted to the Registrar not LSAC.)