States fall into three different categories in terms of their approach: No limits: The vast majority of states do not limit the number of times that you are able to sit for the bar exam (so in theory, you can sit for the bar as many times as you want).

Do you want to learn about the latest findings on what happens if you fail the bar exam 3 times? Get ready! Find out all the information you need right here on Collegelearners so you don’t have to go looking again. Find all the specifics you need, such as how many times can you take the bar exam in Ohio, how many times can you take the bar exam in Texas, how many times can you take the bar exam in New York, and lots more.

Can You Take The Bar Exam Twice

Information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) indicates that New Jersey has the fifth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for all states for the lawyer occupation (as of May 2017). BLS figures indicate that in May 20171, there were 20,730 lawyers employed in New Jersey, representing employment of 5.17 per 1000 jobs for lawyers in the state. Lawyers in New Jersey also earned one of the highest annual mean wages for lawyers working anywhere in the United States. The average yearly salary for a New Jersey lawyer in May 2017 was $140,340. If your dream is to become a practicing attorney in the state of New Jersey, read on.

The United States (US) has a complex, common-law legal system, which can make navigating the path to becoming an attorney challenging.

Each state in the US has its own set of standards for admission to the state bar. The New Jersey State Bar Association operates under the supervision of New Jersey’s highest court, the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The New Jersey State Bar Association, which monitors judicial and legislative issues, offers legal education opportunities and promotes leadership within the legal profession, is comprised of more than 26,000 attorneys and judges.

Education

In order to practice law in the US, a student must obtain a juris doctor degree (J.D.). US students do not study law during their undergraduate education; rather, they obtain their J.D. at a specialized postgraduate law school. There is no undergraduate course of study required in order to attend law school.

Before submitting applications to law school, all US students must first take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT is a timed exam consisting of five sections and one writing sample. Each section of the exam is meant to analyze a student’s reading, writing and logical reasoning skills. The LSAT is given four times per year at various locations in each state. Law schools use a candidate’s LSAT score as a factor when evaluating their application for admission.

Requirements To Practice Law

In order to practice law in New Jersey, one must:

• Have completed the pre-legal education necessary to meet the minimum requirements for admission to an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school;
• Have graduated from an ABA accredited law school;
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Prove that he or she has good moral character and fitness for the practice of law;
• File an application to take the bar examination and paid the appropriate fee;
• Taken and pass the bar examination; and

Complete a mandatory Professionalism course or pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a score of at least 75.

How Many Times Can You Take The Bar Exam In New Jersey

There is no limited time as to the number of times you can take the bar exam in new jersey.

The State Bar of New Jersey Bar Exam consists of:

                (1) 200 multiple-choice Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) questions prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners;

                (2) Seven essay questions prepared by the New Jersey Board of Law Examiners.

The written portion of the exam consists of seven essay questions.  The multiple-choice portion of the exam contains 200 MBE questions.

The MPT asks a student to complete a task which a new lawyer should be able to successfully handle. The MPT tests a student’s ability to apply their legal knowledge to a realistic situation while demonstrating fundamental lawyering skills such as:

• Identifying relevant facts;
• Analyzing statutory, case, and administrative materials;
• Applying relevant law to the relevant facts;
• Identifying and resolving any ethical dilemmas;
• Communicating effectively in writing; and
• Completing a task within strict time constraints.

The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) assesses a student’s ability to analyze legal facts patterns and apply fundamental legal principles. The MBE is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice examination covering Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

Out-Of-State United Sates Attorneys

A person is eligible for admission to the Bar of New Jersey if that person:

• Is already a licensed lawyer in another state and eligible to practice law in New Jersey for up to two and a half years with an approved legal services program; or
• Is a law school professor who has taught full-time for the past five years at an ABA-accredited New Jersey law school;
• Is a member of the Bar of a state;
• Has passed a written bar examination in a state; and
• Possesses the good moral character and fitness necessary for the practice of law.

Steps to become a Lawyer/Attorney in New Jersey

Follow the step by step process or choose what situation that best describes you:

1. Complete my New Jersey Undergraduate Pre-Law Education
2. Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
3. Go to Law School in New Jersey
4. Take the New Jersey State Bar Exam and become an Attorney
5. Now that You’ve Been Admitted to the Bar

Law Job Information in New Jersey

Information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) indicates that New Jersey has the fifth highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for all states for the lawyer occupation (as of May 2017). BLS figures indicate that in May 20171, there were 20,730 lawyers employed in New Jersey, representing employment of 5.17 per 1000 jobs for lawyers in the state. Lawyers in New Jersey also earned one of the highest annual mean wages for lawyers working anywhere in the United States. The average yearly salary for a New Jersey lawyer in May 2017 was $140,340. If your dream is to become a practicing attorney in the state of New Jersey, read on.Step 1

Get Your New Jersey Undergrad Pre-Law Major

The New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners does not require that you complete any undergraduate education prior to enrollment in law school. It does, however, require that you graduate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). All ABA-accredited law schools mandate that you have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree before entering law school.  

Accreditation

Under ABA orders, you must receive your bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Your school must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Requirements and Standards

As long as you receive your undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, it does not matter what courses you take or what major you choose. There are some courses that tend to help students perform better in law school when taken in undergraduate school. These include philosophy, political science, business, economics, psychology, English, communications and mathematics.

Degree Options

You must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to enter into law school. It need not be in any specific major.  Undergraduate majors culled from the above mentioned coursework areas often produce law school students who are successful.
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LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in New Jersey

You have achieved the first step towards becoming a lawyer in New Jersey – receiving your undergraduate degree. It is now time to take the six-hour standardized LSAT (Law School Admission Test). You must pass this exam before admittance to any ABA-accredited law school can occur.  

How to Prepare for LSAT

You will find many helpful free study materials at the LSAT website. Other resources that may help you prepare to take the LSAT in New Jersey include:  
LSAT Exam Prep Courses in New Jersey:

• Blueprint LSAT Preparation, online
• LSAT Preparation, New Jersey City University, online
• Kaplan LSAT Prep, Ramapo College of New Jersey

LSAT Exam Content

As an aspiring lawyer in New Jersey, the LSAT is one of the most important tests you will ever take. It tests your knowledge of three critical areas:

• Reading Comprehension – your abilities in dissecting information, skimming passages to receive the author’s main point, recognizing types of questions, recognizing styles of writing (argumentation, etc) and being able to make comparisons and analogies will be tested here.
• Critical Reasoning – you must be able to recognize arguments and use the six types of reasoning to evaluate that argument (i.e., generalization, analogy, deductive argument, causal reasoning, business thinking and identifying assumptions)
• Analytical Reasoning – also called “Logic Games,” this sections test your analytical abilities using four types of games (single-linear, multiple-linear, grouping, and networking).

Application Process

LSAT applications are processed online. You must also pay the $190 examination fee online.  The LSAT is given quarterly on Saturdays and Mondays at the following New Jersey testing centers:

• Rutgers-The State University, Camden
• The College of New Jersey, Ewing
• Brookdale Community College, Lincroft
• Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick
• Rutgers-The State University, Newark
• Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Galloway
• Seton Hall University, South Orange
• Mercer County Community College, West Windsor
• Montclair State University, Montclair
• William Paterson University, Wayne

Receiving Your Score

You can expect to receive your LSAT score via mail about 21 days after the exam. The score range is 120 to 180. Median LSAT scores that New Jersey law schools accept (per ABA Law School Data) are:

• Rutgers Law School:      155
• Seton Hall University:   156

Apply to Law Schools in New Jersey

Featured Law School

University of Dayton
Campus Locations: Online
Programs: Online Hybrid Juris Doctor: ABA-approved JD program

Application Process and Accreditation

You are ready for Step 3 of the process in becoming a New Jersey lawyer- applying to the ABA-accredited law school of your choice. Remember, under the rules of the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, before you can take the state’s bar exam, you must graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school anywhere in the United States (not necessarily in New Jersey). There are more than 200 ABA-accredited law schools nationwide, and they are listed in the LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools.  

Credential Assembly Service

Formerly known as the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is vital to use when applying for enrollment at any ABA-accredited law institution. It will help you to gather, coordinate, and send law school applications with all necessary supporting documentation (such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and evaluations) The CAS charges $195 for usage of this valuable service, and the fee includes applying electronically for you to your chosen ABA-accredited law schools. Although the CAS standardizes the procedures and process, check with your individual law school’s requirements for admission to ensure that you send the proper number and types of documents when applying for enrollment.

ABA-Accredited Law Schools in New Jersey

Two law institutions in New Jersey are ABA-accredited:

• Rutgers Law School, Camden/Newark
• Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark

Course requirements

These subjects should be included in any ABA-accredited New Jersey law school, as they may be tested on the state’s bar examination:

• Contracts
• Criminal law
• Real property
• Torts
• Constitutional law
• Evidence
• Civil procedure
• Agency
• Conflicts of law
• Corporations
• Equity
• Family law
• Partnership
• Uniform Commercial Code: Articles 2 (Sales), 3 (Commercial Paper), and 9 (Secured Transactions)
• Wills, trusts, and estates
• Zoning and planning
• Disciplinary rules
• Ethics (you must present evidence that you have passed an ethics course in law school, or pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a score of at least 75, when applying to take the New Jersey bar examination)

Online Law Degrees

Internship

Most, if not all, ABA-accredited law institutions require that you participate in some sort of practical experience during your tenure in law school. Depending upon your school’s practices, this may occur in an in-house legal clinic, on-site legal office or organization, or governmental agency. Wherever you are placed, you will have the chance to develop real-life, working skills necessary to succeed as a New Jersey lawyer.

Degree Programs

You must have a J.D. degree in order to sit for the state’s bar exam. Other degree options offered by New Jersey law schools (such as dual degrees and concentrations) that may increase your career opportunities after graduation include:

• Seton Hall University School of Law:
  • JD Concentration in Health Law
  • JD Concentration in Intellectual Property
  • JD/Master of Arts in Diplomacy
  • JD/Master in Business Administration
  • JD/MD
• Rutgers –University School of Law-Newark/Camden:
  • JD/MBA
  • JD/MA in Criminal Justice
  • JD/MCRP (Master of City and Regional Planning)
  • JD/MSW (Master of Social Work)

Pass the New Jersey State Bar Exam

If you are at least 18 years old, and have a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law institution, you are eligible to take the New Jersey bar examination.

Non-ABA approved law school graduates

Graduates of law schools not approved by the ABA are not eligible to sit for the New Jersey bar exam.

Graduates of Foreign Law Schools

Graduates of foreign law schools are not eligible to sit for the New Jersey bar exam.

Preparation

New Jersey administers the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Preparation materials for its three parts – the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) are available  at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website. Other resources (not necessarily free) to help you get ready to take the New Jersey bar examination include:

• New Jersey Essay Exam Prep, Bar-None, Rutgers-Camden
• New Jersey UBE Prep – BARBRI
• New Jersey UBE Review Course- BarMax

Exam content

The New Jersey bar exam consists of:

• The MBE, 200 multiple-choice questions focusing on the topics of contracts, criminal law, constitutional law, real property, evidence, and torts.
• The MEE, 6 30-minute essay questions on business associations, civil procedure, conflict of laws, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, evidence, family law, torts, real property, estates and trusts and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
• The MPT, two 90-minute skills-based tests

Application Process

The first step in applying to take the New Jersey bar examination is to create a registration account online. You will complete the Character & Fitness Questionnaire online and submit your signed and notarized Application for the Bar Exam online, plus the following documentation:

• Upload an acceptable photo
• Submit payment online or via check/money order ($675 if paying on time)
• Upload a signed and notarized Authorization and Release form

Mail all information to NJ Board of Bar Examiners, PO Box 973, Trenton, NJ 08625-0973. You will receive an acknowledgement packet from the Bar once they receive your application. Included in the packet will be information on completing your fingerprinting requirement and correcting any deficiencies in your application, plus obtaining other necessary information such as:

• Law School Certificate
• Proof of satisfaction of professional responsibility requirement (grade of C or better in an ethics course in law school or score of 75 or better on the MPRE)

Pass Rates

The following pass rates for previous New Jersey bar examinations have been noted:

• July 2018: 58.83 percent overall pass rate
• July 2016: 65.3 percent
• July 2015: 69.9 percent
• July 2014: 74.2 percent

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)

If you did not take an ethics/professional responsibility course in law school, you must obtain a passing score of 75 or greater on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). More information on the exam and signing up to take it can be found at the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.

Admission on Motion

New Jersey does not recognize admission on motion (that is, admission without examination) to the state’s bar except in the following situations:

• If you are already a licensed lawyer in another state and in good standing within that jurisdiction’s bar organization, you are eligible to practice law in New Jersey for up to two and a half years with an approved legal services program.
• If you are a law school professor who has taught law full-time for the past five years at an ABA-accredited New Jersey law school, you can be admitted on mo­tion (without taking the examination). You must also have a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an ABA-approved law school and have already passed the bar examination in at least one other U.S. jurisdiction.

MBE Transfer Scores

The New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners does not accept MBE scores from prior bar examinations you may have taken in another state.  If you plan to take New Jersey’s bar exam and will be taking the MBE in another state in their bar exam concurrently, you must arrange to have your MBE score transferred to New Jersey  by July 1 for the July bar examination or February 1 for the February bar examination. You may take the MBE in another jurisdiction on the Wednesday before the New Jersey essay portion of the examination.

Licensing and Admission to the Bar

After passing the bar, you must sign the attorneys’ roll and take an oath prior to admittance to the New Jersey Bar. The oath swears that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of New Jersey, show allegiance to New Jersey, and includes the oath of office as an attorney. You may give an affirmation instead of an oath if you prefer. You must be sworn in no later than 90 days after passing the bar examination. Public swearing-in ceremonies are usually held about a month after examination results are published. You will be notified of the date of this.

You’ve Been Admitted to the New Jersey Bar

Congratulations on passing the New Jersey Bar Examination and becoming a licensed member of the New Jersey Bar! As a new member, you must complete 15 credit hours of continuing legal education (CLE) in five of nine subject areas during your first full two-year compliance period. Those subjects include:

• New Jersey basic estate planning
• New Jersey civil or criminal trial preparation
• New Jersey family law practice
•  New Jersey real estate closing procedure
•  New Jersey trust and business accounting
• New Jersey landlord/tenant practice
• New Jersey municipal court practice
• New Jersey law office management

Your first CLE compliance period begins January 1 of the year following the year you are admitted to the Bar.
Employment opportunities are vast for newly licensed lawyers in New Jersey. Well-known law firms in the state include McCarter & English, LLP in Newark; Gibbons, P.C. in Newark and Trenton; Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, PA in Woodbridge; Sills Cummis & Gross in Newark and Princeton; and Lowenstein Sandler LLP in Roseland, Somerville and Princeton.
A total of 19 companies in New Jersey are on the Fortune 500 list as of 2018, and most commonly hire attorneys. They include NRG Energy in Princeton; Cognizant Technology Solutions in Teaneck; Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick; Merck in Whitehouse Station; Bed Bath and Beyond in Union; Prudential Financial in Newark; Honeywell International in Morris Township; and ADP in Florham Park.

Lawyers Fund for Client Protection and Disciplinary Oversight Committee

As a bar member in New Jersey, you must pay an annual fee to finance the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection and the attorney discipline system. The Supreme Court of New Jersey determines this amount each year. The Fund provides reimbursement to clients who have financial losses because of dishonest attorney conduct. The Disciplinary Oversight Committee supports actions of the Office of Attorney Ethics such as the Random Audit Program and the Disciplinary Review Board.  All lawyers who are New Jersey bar members, including judges, government lawyers, and law professors, must pay this annual fee. You do not need to pay the assessment fee during the first calendar year of your admission to the bar. If you are a lawyer serving in the U.S. military, Peace Corps or VISTA, you are exempt from paying the annual assessment fee.

Legal specialty certification

Lawyers wishing to specialize in an area of the law may become certified. Under rules of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Board on Attorney Certification, in order to become certified to practice in a specialized area you must meet the following conditions:

• Have been a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for five or more years
• Have completed a certain amount of CLE courses in the past three years
• Have demonstrated substantial involvement in preparation of litigation
• Have demonstrated an untarnished reputation (through giving the Court a list of names of judges and lawyers who will verify your character and ability)
• Pass a written examination on the specialty practice area

The New Jersey Supreme Court currently certifies lawyers in the following areas:

• Civil trial law
• Criminal trial law
• Matrimonial law
• Workers’ compensation law

For more information on legal specialty certification in New Jersey, contact the Board of Attorney Certification at (609)815-2930.

Requirements for maintaining license

As a licensed New Jersey lawyer, you must complete 24 credit hours of CLE every two years. At least four of those credits must be in ethics and/or professionalism. You may take up to half of your CLE credit hours in alternative verifiable learning (AVL) formats (such as videotape, audiotape, on-line internet presentations, satellite simulcasts, teleconferences, videoconferences, and internet self-study). At least 12 of your CLE credits must be taken in a live instructor-based course. You must report your CLE hours through the New Jersey Courts electronic registration/payment system.

Court Systems in New Jersey

There are various types of courts in the New Jersey judicial system:

• New Jersey Supreme Court: The highest court in the state hears appeals from the Appellate Division, reviews the decisions of other state courts, and interprets laws that may be unclear or conflicting with other laws.
• Superior Court: Also known as the trial court, the Superior Court hears cases of criminal, civil and family law are heard in the Superior Court. A Superior Court exists in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties.
  • Appellate Division: No juries or witnesses are used in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. Judges hear arguments from lawyers on appeals from superior court cases. New Jersey has 36 Appellate Division judges in New Jersey.
• Tax Court: This court reviews decisions of county boards of taxation on property tax, and of the State Division of Taxation on state income tax, sales tax and business tax.
• County Courts: Each of New Jersey’s 21 counties has its own County Court, also referred to as a Vicinage.
• Municipal Courts: This court hears the majority of the cases filed in New Jersey, including motor vehicle offenses; minor criminal offenses; cases involving hunting, fishing and boating laws; and minor disputes between neighbors.   There are 539 Municipal Courts in New Jersey.

Elective membership organizations

Other professional organizations in the state for which you may now be eligible for membership as a New Jersey lawyer include:

• New Jersey Association for Justice
• Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey
• New Jersey Women Lawyers Association
• Trial Attorneys of New Jersey
• New Jersey Defense Association

New Jersey Bar Exam Application

Are you interested in taking the New Jersey bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the New Jersey bar exam.

Fees

The New Jersey State Bar application fee for most takers is $675.  The application cost for UBE score transfer applicants and out-of-state lawyers applying for admission into the New Jersey State Bar is $675.

*Visit the New Jersey State Bar Admission Office’s website for more information.

• Deadlines

• Other Requirements

New Jersey State Bar Admissions Office

Current Applicants Contact Information

Organized by first letter of last name

A-D contact: Marian Green- marian.green@njcourts.gov

E-K contact: Jennifer Miranda- jennifer.miranda@njcourts.gov

L-Q contact: Maureen Notaroberto- maureen.notaroberto@njcourts.gov

R-Z contact: Giselle Simeon- giselle.simeon@njcourts.gov

Mailing address:

New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners
P.O. Box 973
Trenton, NJ 08625-0973

Main number: 609-815-2911

New Jersey Bar Exam: What to Bring

What to bring

• Your current driver’s license.
• Your Bar Examination Identification & Certification Card that has your photo, NCBE number, and examinee number.

Important notes

• You need to have these items with you for each of the four testing sessions.
• Laptop testers should not bring their laptop in a case or bag.

Prohibited items

• Any item that can connect to the internet
• Any item that can record audio or video
• Backpacks
• Books
• Briefcases
• Calculators
• Cameras
• Notes
• Phones
• Food or drink
• Purses
• Radios
• Rulers
• Scratch papers
• Study materials

New Jersey Bar Exam Scores and Grading

A passing score for the UBE in New Jersey is 266/400. Scores of the three tests comprising the UBE are weighted as follows:

• MBE = 50% of your total UBE score
• MEE = 30%
• MPT = 20%

*A passing score for the MPRE in New Jersey is 75/150.

New Jersey Bar Review Course

Crushendo’s comprehensive UBE Suite comes with everything you need to crush the New Jersey bar exam.

• MBE, MEE, MPT, and MPRE Prep
• 250+ Proprietary Mnemonics
• 2,000+ Licensed NCBE Questions
• Audio Flashcards
• Lifetime Access

New Jersey Bar Exam Results

View lists of those who passed the New Jersey State Bar Exam, posted on the New Jersey State Bar Association’s website:

• February 2019
• July 2018
• February 2018
• July 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

When are my New Jersey bar exam results released?

The New Jersey bar tries to release bar exam results by May 15th. July bar exam results are to be released by November 15th.

Can I appeal to have my New Jersey bar exam re-graded?

If the combined MRE and essay score is between 260 to 271.9, it will be regraded by graders who did not see the result of the first grading.

How many times can I take the bar exam in New Jersey?

There’s no limit to how many times you can retake the UBE in New Jersey.

New Jersey Bar Exam Reciprocity

Applicants seeking admission to the New Jersey State Bar without taking the bar exam, must comply with Rule 1:24-1, 1:24-4 and 1:27-1 to qualify,

Reciprocity Requirements Overview

In order to be eligible for admittance to the New Jersey State Bar, without taking the bar examination, you must:

• Be admitted to practice law in another U.S. state or territory.
• Hold a legal degree from an approved list of law schools.
• Have practiced law for five of the seven years prior to your application.
• Ensure that the primary state you practiced law in would allow lawyers in New Jersey a similar accommodation.
• Have certification from the Committee on Character and Fitness.
• Must have a passing score on the MPRE.
• Must complete a course on New Jersey professionalism and ethics.

Reciprocal Jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, US Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Law Schools in New Jersey

Here’s a list of law schools in New Jersey.

Rutgers School of Law

• Founded: 1908
• Located: Camden, NJ and Newark, NJ
• Enrollment: about 1,220
• Tuition Cost: about $43,400
• Bar Passage Rate: 68.8% July 2018
• ABA Accredited: Yes
• Website: law.rutgers.edu

Seton Hall Law School

• Founded: 1951
• Located: Newark, NJ
• Enrollment: about 1,050
• Tuition Cost: $55,788 View tuition breakdown
• Bar Passage Rate: 82.28% July 2018 first time takers
• ABA Accredited: Yes
• Website: law.shu.edu

Helpful Groups

Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after passing the bar exam:

• New Jersey Family Law Attorneys (436 members)

Remote Bar Examination Option

What content will be tested by this remote bar examination?

The content tested by the remote bar examination will be the same as the content of the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). You should study the same topic areas that you would if you were preparing to take the UBE.
What is the format of the remote bar examination?

The remote bar examination will consist of four, 90-minute test sessions administered over two days, October 5^th and 6^th, 2020. On October 5^th, one session will consist of one Multistate Performance Test (MPT) item; and the other session will consist of three Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) questions.  The two other sessions, on October 6^th, will each consist of 50 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) questions. Is the remote bar examination being administered on Oct. 5th and 6th, 2020 a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)?

Although this remote bar examination is comprised of testing materials provided by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and tests the same substantive content as the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), it is not a full UBE and does not render a portable UBE score. 

However, Supreme Court order, dated July 15, 2020, directs the Board or Bar Examiners to work with other states to enter into an agreement to provide limited portability of scores earned on the remote examination, wherever possible.  To date, New Jersey has entered into a reciprocity agreement with Massachusetts.

The remote administration of the October 2020 examination for New Jersey bar admission is not the full Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) and, therefore, does not provide a portable UBE score.

However, Supreme Court order, dated July 15, 2020, authorizes the Board or Bar Examiners to work with other states to enter into agreements to provide limited portability of scores earned on the remote examination, wherever possible.  To date, New Jersey has entered into reciprocity agreements with Connecticut, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont.

No. Character and fitness inquiries will not be impacted by the administration of a remote bar examination.
I already submitted my September 2020 bar examination application and paid the application fee. I want to take the October 2020 remote bar examination. What do I do?

You do not need to take any further action with respect to your application to sit for the examination.  Your application and fee will be accepted for the October 2020 remote bar examination registration. However, if you have applied for the Laptop Program, please see the FAQ entitled, “I already applied for the Laptop Program for the September 2020 bar examination.  What do I do?” (below).
I already applied for the Laptop Program for the September 2020 bar examination and I want to take the October 2020 remote bar examination. What do I do?

If you already applied for the Laptop Program for the September 2020 examination and you wish to take the October 2020 remote bar examination, you will need to re-register for the new Laptop Program through our designated vendor.  Deadlines and instructions will be provided to you at a later date.
I already submitted my September 2020 bar examination application and paid the application fee, but I do not want to take the October 2020 remote bar examination. What do I do?

If you already submitted your September 2020 bar examination application and paid the application fee, but you do not want to take the October 2020 remote bar examination, you will need to complete the “October 2020 Remote Bar Examination Opt-Out Form.” 

When completing the form. You may request that your application be:

• Withdrawn and that your application fee be refunded, OR
• Deferred and that your application fee be carried over to the next administration of an in-person examination (i.e. February 2021). 

Applicants must submit the form via e-mail to:  Opt-Out.Mailbox@njcourts.gov no later than Friday, August 14, 2020.  Please be advised that once you submit this form, the Board of Bar Examiners will deem your decision final.

All applicants taking the October 2020 remote bar examination must meet the following computer requirements:

• Re-register for the new Laptop Program through New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners’ designated vendor (instructions will be provided at a later date for those planning to take the remote bar examination), 
• Have a computer with webcam and microphone to take the examination.  This will be used for remote proctoring during each testing session. 
• Use only one monitor, 
• Have the following Internet access: High speed internet access with at least 5 mbps is recommended.  It is recommended that you limit the use of your Internet by other devices to the extent possible during the bar examination so as to minimize the demand on your residential network. 
• Have the minimum system requirement of 4 GB memory,
• Download the new alternative (remote) examination software to your computer (instructions will be provided at a later date for those registered for the remote Laptop Program), and 
• Conduct a test of the new software (instructions will be provided at a later date for those registered for the remote Laptop Program).

Applicants taking the remote bar examination must meet all of the following additional requirements:

• Applicants will be required to affirm that they do not, and will not, plan to sit for any other jurisdiction’s bar examination administration in July, September, or October during which the NCBE tests are used.
• If an applicant sits, or plans to sit, for any other jurisdiction’s bar examination administration in July, September, or October during which the NCBE tests are used, they will be prohibited from participating in the New Jersey October remote bar examination.
• Applicants will be required to review and agree to NCBE’s Notices prior to the testing session in order for them to proceed with testing.  The Notice, in advance of testing, will be available through New Jersey’s vendor’s process before each exam session.  One Notice states that the test materials are owned by NCBE and are protected by U.S. copyright law.  The second notice states:
  • “Testing data, including personally identifiable information, test responses, test performance data such as keystrokes and time spent on each item, and misconduct and other reports, will be shared with NCBE for statistical, research and other purposes including for enforcement of NCBE’s copyright of test materials and test security. Data will be held by NCBE in accordance with the NCBE Privacy Policy posted on the NCBE website (http://www.ncbex.org/privacy-policy/). After the test administration, NCBE may contact you via email to participate in a survey.”
  • “In the unlikely event that any error or mistake occurs in test administration, delivery, scoring, or score reporting, a remedy, if any, will be determined and provided at the sole discretion and under the exclusive authority of the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners. NCBE is not responsible for any errors or mistakes that occur relating to test registration, test administration or delivery, the scoring of any tests, and/or the reporting of test scores.”
• Applicants are not be permitted to have access to paper or writing utensils to make any notes. For the MPT/MEE, the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners’ vendor will provide a text box to track any notes applicants may want to write while reading the question. 
• Applicants are advised that none of the testing sessions are considered “open book” or “open resource.”
• Applicants are not permitted to give or receive assistance from others.
• Applicants are not permitted access to any electronic communication or recording devices of any kind during a testing session, other than the computer on which the applicant is taking the test, devices required by the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners or its vendor to remotely proctor the applicant, or New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners’ approved auxiliary aids for accommodated applicants.

Although we understand and empathize with the challenges many bar examination applicants are facing in finding exam space, we are not re-opening our registration to accept new applications for the October 5-6 remote examination. 

Although you are not permitted to have access to paper or writing utensils to make any written notes, you will have the ability to type electronic notes for all portions of the examination:  Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and Multistate Essay Examination (MEE).  

The remote examination will be proctored by individuals assigned to monitor a set group of test-takers, just as if the examination was being administered in-person.Proctors will monitor the audio and video feed streamed live from the applicants’ computers and note any test taking anomalies (e.g., the presence of notes or other prohibited items).  If an applicant loses internet connection during the examination, the applicant can proceed with taking the examination uninterrupted, and the software will automatically convert the proctoring mechanism from one that is based on a live-streamed feed to one that is based on photos taken at set intervals.  Proctors will then review the photos after the examination has concluded.   
Do I need internet connection to take the remotely proctored bar exam?

Yes, but not for the duration of the examination.  You will need internet connection to check-in remotely before the start of the bar examination and after the break.  During the check-in process, a proctor will verify your ID using your computer’s camera.  Once the examination begins, a proctor will continue to monitor the feed streaming from your camera and microphone.  However, if your internet connection is lost and the live stream is discontinued, it will not affect your ability to continue taking the bar examination.

What happens if I lose my internet connection during the remotely proctored bar exam?

If your internet connection is lost and the live stream from your camera and microphone is discontinued, it will not affect your ability to continue taking the bar examination.  The software itself is not contingent on an internet connection during the administration of the examination questions, and, if connection is lost, you can continue to type answers or select multiple choice answers without interruption.  In that event, the software will take photos at set intervals, and those photos will be reviewed by proctors after the examination for test-taking anomalies (e.g., the presence of notes or other prohibited items).

COVID-19 Crisis

Will I be eligible to sit for the bar exam if my law school changed to pass/fail grading during the COVID-19 crisis?

Yes. Rule 1:24-1 requires that the applicant is awarded a JD from ABA-approved law school.
Will There Be a July 2020 Exam? We are continuing to accept applications for the July exam, but a definitive decision will depend on CDC and state restrictions in place at that time. We are doing what we can to ensure there will be an opportunity to take the bar exam in 2020. We are monitoring the situation daily. 
Is the application deadline for the July 2020 bar examination extended? Will I have to pay late fees? The deadline for filing an application for the July 2020 bar examination is extended through April 30, and no late fees will apply to an application filed before that date.  The Board of Bar Examiners continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates regarding the July 2020 exam. 
Will the Board of Bar Examiners accept an electronically-signed Non-Standard Testing Application (NTA) Certificate of Law School Official? Yes.  the Board of Bar Examiners is accepting electronically-signed Non-Standard Testing Application (NTA) Certificates of Law School Official on a temporary basis and until further notice.  In this case, the law school must email the electronically signed NTA Certificate of Law School Official to the applicant, then the applicant should upload the email and certificate to the accommodations mailbox at: barada.mailbox@njcourts.gov
I already started my application for the July 2020 bar examination, but I did not submit it. What do I do? If you started your July 2020 bar examination application but have not yet submitted it and you want to sit for the Fall 2020 examination, simply continue completing your application and submit it. 
In lieu of a notarized copy of bar application documents, what language may I use as an affirmation that the content of such documents is true and correct? The Supreme Court order, dated April 6, 2020, provides that: “Effective immediately and until further order of the Court, the requirement that bar applicants submit a notarized copy of the bar application and accompanying documents is relaxed. . .”  In accordance with the order, your affidavit / certification, must be dated and immediately preceding your signature, you must state: “I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.” 
May I practice law between my 2020 graduation and when I pass the New Jersey bar exam? On a temporary basis, the Supreme Court has relaxed and expanded Rule 1:21-3 such that 2020 graduates of accredited law schools who have not previously taken the bar examination may temporarily practice law under supervision of a licensed attorney who has been licensed to practice for at least three years.  2020 graduates must submit payment of the applicable fee and all materials required for review and certification by the Board and the Committee on Character, no later than the final deadline of June 5th.  2020 graduates must be certified by the Committee on Character before they are authorized to practice under supervision under this order.  

How do I submit my Roll of Attorneys (oath form) during the COVID-19 pandemic?

You may not send your Oath Form to the Board of Bar Examiners via fax or e-mail and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to accept personal deliver of the form at our office. 

Pursuant to Rule 1:27-1 (c), submission of your original Roll of Attorneys (oath form) is required within 30-days of taking the attorney’s oath. 

Currently, our service window is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we ask that you mail the form to us. 

To ensure that you meet your 30-day obligation under Rule 1:27-1 (c) in a timely manner, it is strongly recommended that you file the completed oath form with the Board of Bar Examiners by sending it via Certified Mail or Overnight Messenger Service (i.e., any service that will provide you with a delivery receipt) within one week of your taking the oath.

For US Postal Service:

Secretary, Board of Bar Examiners

P.O. Box 973

Trenton, NJ 08625

For Overnight Delivery (not USPS):

Secretary, Board of Bar Examiners

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 8th Floor, North Wing

25 W. Market St

Trenton, NJ 08611

Please be sure to make and retain a copy for your records.

If you are interested in admission to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, go to https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/ for more information.
Do you accept electronic signatures of notaries on bar application documents? Yes.  On a temporary basis and until further notice, the Board of Bar Examiners is accepting electronic signatures of notaries.  The Supreme Court order, dated April 6, 2020, provides that: “Effective immediately, and until further order of the Court, the requirement that bar applicants submit a notarized copy of the bar application and accompanying documents is relaxed. . . Those documents may be signed electronically as previously authorized by the Court.”   
What if my law school ethics course is graded on a pass/fail basis during the COVID-19 crisis, rather than on a letter grading scale? Rule 1:27-1(a)(3) only requires “passage” of a course.  It does not mandate a “C,” although in a letter-based grading system that would have been the requirement.  Given the transition to pass/fail, a “passage” would satisfy the rule. 
I already submitted my July 2020 bar examination application and paid the application fee. I want to sit for the Fall 2020 examination. What do I do? You do not need to take any further action.  Your application and fee will be accepted for the Fall 2020 registration.  
Are you relaxing your requirements with respect to documentation submitted from law schools in connection with bar admission applications? Do you accept an electronic signature, in lieu of an original signature? Yes.  We are accepting electronic signatures, in lieu of an original signature on a temporary basis and until further notice. 
I applied for the New Jersey July 2020 bar examination and paid the application fee, but I need to request a deferment to the next available administration of the New Jersey bar examination (e.g., February 2021) based on a personal hardship. What do I do? 2020 graduates who cannot sit for the Fall 2020 examination must submit a request to the Board of Bar Examiners to carry over their July 2020 bar application to the next available administration of the examination (e.g., February 2021).  Such request must set forth, in writing, the reasons for the request, which must establish good cause to delay sitting for the upcoming examination.  Good cause can be established on a specific showing of personal hardship, which will be kept confidential.  2020 graduates who seek to defer taking the Fall 2020 examination may do so for a single administration of the exam.  There will be no further extensions.  

If your request is granted, your July 2020 application fee will be carried over to the next available administration of the examination (e.g., February 2021).  Similarly, this will be a one-time carryover.

You may request this one-time deferment and fee carryover to the next administration of the exam (e.g., February 2021) by simply, completing and uploading the “2020 Law Graduate Bar Examination Deferment Request” form through your Home Page.  The form can be found under the “Other Forms” tab.  

I am having difficulty getting my bar application documents notarized due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What do you accept?

The Supreme Court order, dated April 6, 2020, provides that: “Effective immediately, and until further order of the Court, the requirement that bar applicants submit a notarized copy of the bar application and accompanying documents is relaxed.  Instead, applicants may submit an affirmation that the contents are true and correct, provided that the affidavit or certification in lieu of oath conforms to Rule 1:4-4.  Those documents may be signed electronically as previously authorized by the Court.”  

Therefore, on a temporary basis and until further notice the following fulfill the Board of Bar Examiners’ notary requirements.  You may submit:

Document manually signed and dated by notary with notary seal, or

Document electronically signed and dated by a notary; no additional clarifying statement indicating that the document was electronically signed by the notary is required, or 

Your affirmation that the content of such document(s) is true and correct.  In accordance with the order, your affidavit / certification, must be dated and immediately preceding your signature, you must state: “I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.”

Are you accepting electronic signatures on Certificates of Good Standing? As a temporary measure during the COVID-19 crisis, we are accepting electronically-signed Certificates of Good Standing.  In such cases, the applicant must have the electronically-signed Certificate of Good Standing emailed to them from the jurisdiction and then the applicant must upload it to their Home Page. 

I already submitted my July 2020 bar examination application and paid the application fee, but I want to withdraw my application. What do I do? Simply contact your Case File Manager via e-mail and advise them that you want to withdraw your July 2020 application.  Once you  have completed and uploaded the COVID-19 – July 2020 Bar Examination Fee Refund Request Form your application fee will be refunded to you. 

Will my July 2020 bar examination fee be refunded if I do not plan on ever sitting for the New Jersey bar examination? 

Yes.  Simply contact your Case File Manager via e-mail and advise them that you want to withdraw your July 2020 application.  Once you have completed and uploaded the COVID-19 – July 2020 Bar Examination Fee Refund Request Form your application fee will be refunded to you.  

Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)

What is the Uniform Bar Examination?

The UBE is a standardized test of minimum competency designed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).  The test is comprised of the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).  Applicants must take all portions of the UBE in the UBE jurisdiction in order to earn a portable UBE score.
 

The UBE tests general principles of law, legal analysis and communication skills. UBE jurisdictions administer the same examination and follow the same grading policies, which allows the scores to be transferred from one UBE jurisdiction to another.  Each UBE jurisdiction determines its own specific requirements for admission, including the minimum passing score on the UBE, in order to be considered for admission.

When will New Jersey begin administering the UBE?

New Jersey administered its first UBE examination in February 2017.

What is the UBE testing schedule?

The UBE is administered on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July.  The test is administered as follows:
 

Tuesday Schedule

• 7:30 am – 9:00 am       Registration and seat check in
• 9:00 am – 9:30 am       Instructions
• 9:30 am – 12:30 pm    MPT
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm    Break – one hour
• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm      Instructions (applicants must be seated for instructions)
• 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm      MEE
   

Wednesday Schedule

7:30 am – 9:00 am       Registration and seat check in

9:00 am – 9:30 am       Instructions

9:30 am – 12:30 pm    MBE morning session – 100 questions

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm    Break – one hour

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm      Instructions (applicants must be seated for instructions)

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm      MBE afternoon session – 100 questions.
I am taking the UBE in another UBE jurisdiction. Can I transfer my score to New Jersey?

The UBE score must have been earned (based on the last day of the month of the examination) no more than 36 months prior to submitting a completed application to New Jersey.  The score must meet or exceed New Jersey’s cut score of 266 in order to be accepted.  Do not apply without a UBE score of 266 or greater.  You must meet all other requirements for application and admission, such as having earned a Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.  Do not apply if you do not meet all requirements.
 

A completed application consists of submission of the online character and fitness questionnaire, the one page signed and notarized application form (uploaded), the one page signed and notarized application form (uploaded) and payment, which can be made by credit card, money order, or cashier’s check.
 

The UBE score transfer should be requested as soon as a UBE application is submitted but no later than 30 days after submitting a completed application.  Law school certificates and all other standard application documents (see UBE Application Checklist at njbarexams.org under UBE Information) should be submitted as soon as possible but must be submitted within 90 days of submitting a completed application.  Supplemental documents, such as police or court records, must also be submitted within 90 days of submitting a completed application.  Applicants will not be considered for admission until all documentation has been received.

Once your file is complete, it will be submitted to the Committee on Character for review.  Please refer to the Committee on Character Regulations for more information.
What UBE score is required to apply for admission in New Jersey?

New Jersey requires a UBE score of 266 or greater.
How do I transfer my UBE score to or from New Jersey?

The National Conference of Bar Examiners is responsible for UBE score transfers.  The website is ncbex.org.  Select NCBE EXAMS, UBE, and Scores.  Select UBE Score Services for information on how to transfer your UBE score from one jurisdiction to another.  At this time the transfer fee is $25 but the NCBE may change this at any time.  Please contact the NCBE for the most up to date fee amount.
How long will it take to get admitted with a transferred UBE score?

This will vary by file.  Once a file is complete (all required documentation is submitted) the file will be reviewed by the Committee on Character.  This review will be completed as quickly as possible.  Incomplete files, regardless of the type of application (New Jersey bar examination, UBE score transfer or admission on motion), will not be reviewed.

How long does my UBE score remain valid?

UBE score transfer periods are determined by each jurisdiction.  New Jersey will accept scores not older than 36 months from the date of the UBE exam for which the score is being transferred to the date of a completed submitted application.  UBE score transfer applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2016.

PLEASE NOTE – the jurisdiction must have already been a UBE jurisdiction when you took the examination in that jurisdiction for you to have earned a portable UBE score.  For example, if a jurisdiction adopts the UBE in July 2016 and you took the examination in that jurisdiction in July 2015, you DID NOT earn a transferrable UBE score in that jurisdiction.
If my score was not high enough for admission in the jurisdiction where I sat for the UBE, can I still transfer my score to New Jersey?

Yes, if it meets the New Jersey requirement of 266 or greater.  Applicants must meet all admission requirements, such as graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor, certification by the Committee on Character, and all other requirements of Rule 1:24 and Rule 1:27.
I am taking/took the UBE in another UBE jurisdiction. Can I transfer my score to New Jersey?

Yes, if your score meets the minimum required score of 266 and you meet all other requirements, such as graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor, and all other requirements of Rule 1:24-1.  You will also need to meet, after application, all of the plenary admission requirements of Rule 1:27.  The UBE score you earned in another UBE jurisdiction will be valid for 36 months from the examination for which you earned the qualifying UBE score.

I planned on taking the Pennsylvania (or another state) and New Jersey bar examinations concurrently. Can I still do that?

No, the New Jersey Uniform Bar Examination is given on Tuesday and Wednesday so applicants can no longer test in two jurisdictions concurrently.

I am admitted in another UBE jurisdiction that did not require a Juris Doctor from an American Bar accredited law school. Can I transfer my score to New Jersey?

No, applicants must meet all New Jersey requirements in Rule 1:24 and Rule 1:27 even if they are admitted or qualify in another jurisdiction.

I sat in a jurisdiction that administered all components of the UBE – MEE, MPT and MBE but isn’t a UBE state. Can I transfer my score from that jurisdiction to New Jersey?

No.  Although some jurisdictions administer all portions of the UBE, unless they are UBE states, they are not required to conform to certain grading, administration and scoring standards and therefore are not UBE jurisdictions and the scores cannot be transferred.

ADA Applications

What do I need to provide in order to apply for a testing accommodation?

In addition to the standard application forms, applicants seeking non-standard testing accommodations for the New Jersey bar examination must complete: 1) the Non-Standard Testing Accommodations (NTA) Application form (required for all NTA applicants); 2) the NTA Certificate of Medical or Psychological Authority form (not required if you are requesting the same accommodations as previously granted by the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners within the last three years); 3) the NTA Certificate of Law School Official (not required if you submitted one for a previous exam within the last three years); and 4) the NTA Authorization and Release form (required for all NTA applicants).
Can I apply for testing accommodations for non-ADA related medical situations such as breastfeeding?

While breastfeeding is not generally considered an ADA accommodation, nursing applicants can do one of two things.  Applicants who wish to test at a non-ADA site can complete the medical authorization form available online a couple of weeks prior to the exam and bring equipment and a cooler to the primary sites (it will not be allowed in the testing room but can be kept outside the room for ready access at lunch time).  Applicants may also complete the Non-ADA Accommodations Request Form available under the Exam Forms tab and will typically receive a semi-private room along with a proctored non-testing room for pumping and a refrigerator or space to store a cooler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tb6GVkK5_Q

Admitted Attorneys

My license has been administratively revoked. How can I get my license reinstated?

The May 30, 2008, Notice to the Bar can be found here.
How do I resign without prejudice?

http://njcourts.gov/attorneys/oaefaq.html
How do I get information on Continuing Legal Education?

You can find the Notice to the Bar dated January 27, 2010 here.

I have a question about Continuing Legal Education. Who can I contact?

The phone number for the Board on Continuing Legal Education office is 609-633-9733.

I have been admitted to the NJ bar and I am applying for admission to another state. How do I get a letter from the NJ grievance committee stating that no charges have been filed against me?

The Office of Attorney Ethics issues these letters.  You must request the letter in writing to: The Office of Attorney Ethics, PO Box 963, Trenton, NJ 08625-0963. Include your name, date of birth, social security number, date of admission to the N.J. State Bar, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. There is no cost for this service. Allow 2 to 3 weeks. They can be reached at 609-530-4008.

What else is required for admission in New Jersey with a transferred UBE score?

Applicants seeking admission in New Jersey must fulfill ALL other application and admission requirements, such as proof of graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor, certification by the Committee on Character, and all other requirements of Rule 1:24 and Rule 1:27.
How do I obtain the forms for a name change?

NAMES CHANGES:  Complete the Name Change form and return it to the address provided.  If you require a new wall license with your new name, please complete and submit the Request for Wall License form, along with a certified check or money order for $40 made payable to Secretary, New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.
How do I obtain the forms for an address change?

Please submit your changes on-line through the Attorney Registration page or in writing to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection.  They will accept address changes by mail at PO Box 961, Trenton, NJ  08625-0961 or by fax at 609-394-3637.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?

From the download menu, you will find the Certificate of Good Standing Request Form and appropriate instructions.
How do I apply for a wall license after being admitted to the New Jersey Bar?

Newly admitted attorneys will receive a wall license order form with their admission materials.  If you did not initially order a wall license when you were admitted, you may order one by completing the Request for Wall License form and sending it to the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, P.O. Box 973, Trenton NJ 08625-0973.  Be sure to include a check or money order for $40 payable to the Secretary, New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.  NOTE:  Wall licenses can take three to four months to be produced.  If you have not received yours after four months please contact bar.mailbox@njcourts.gov for a status update.

Does New Jersey have reciprocity with any other jurisdiction (out-of-state attorneys only)?

Yes, Effective September 1, 2016, New Jersey adopted Admission by Motion for out-of-state attorneys from states with which New Jersey has reciprocity. Please refer to Application Forms under Admission by Motion on the website. 

I am administratively ineligible to practice law in New Jersey because I am not current with my obligations to the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection. How do I become eligible to practice in New Jersey?

You must contact the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection at 855-533-3863 to discuss your fees.

Application

Can I type the essay answers?

A laptop program is available.  Information will be on the website approximately 2 months prior to the exam.
When will I receive my site assignments?

You will receive your admission ticket and site assignments approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the exam.  Site assignments will be posted to your User Home Page.  Under no circumstances will site assignments be changed or discussed over the telephone.

When will the bar exam results be released?

For the February exam, The Board of Bar Examiners seeks to release the grades by May 15th.   For the July exam, we try to release the grades by November 15th.  These are not, however, firm dates.  Results will be posted to your User Home Page.  A list of successful candidates will be posted on our website 48 to 72 hours after they are posted to User Home Pages.

What are the requirements for an uploaded photo?

You are required to upload a recent photo prior to submission of your application that is at least 300 pixels by 300 pixels and be a .png, .jpg, or .jpeg file. The photo must also meet the following requirements: 

• The photo must be high resolution.
• The photo must have appropriate brightness and contrast.
• The photo must be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows.
• The photo must be taken with uniform lighting and not show flash reflections.

Eyes

• The photo must show you looking directly at the camera.
• The photo must show your eyes open and clearly visible.
• The photo must show you with no hair across your eyes.
• The photo must show you with no red eyes.

Orientation

The photo must show you facing square on to the camera.

Background

The photo must be taken with a plain light-coloured background.
The photo must show you alone.

Glasses

The photo must show your eyes clearly with no flash reflection.
The photo must show your eyes clearly with no tinted lenses.

Expression

The photo must show you with a neutral expression.
The photo must show you with the mouth closed.

What types of application require an uploaded photo?

Only applicants for admission by examination are required to upload a photo.

What are the requirements to sit for the New Jersey Bar Examination?

Candidates must: (1) be at least 18 years of age, (2) have graduated with a JD or LLB Degree from an ABA Accredited Law School (LLM Degree is not acceptable), and (3) be in good standing in all jurisdictions to which they have been admitted to the bar.

My Photo is “Expired.” How do I upload a new photo?

If your photo is over 6 months old, or your appearance has changed you are required to upload a new photo taken within the last 6 months that reflects your current appearance. To do so, click the “Personal Info” link in the upper right corner of your user home page. The “Upload New Photo” button is located below the “Place of Birth” field.

Please submit a Technical Support Request, found at the bottom of the screen, if you have any issues uploading your photo.
Are MPRE scores transferable?

MPRE scores are transferable.  You must arrange to have your scores transferred to New Jersey.  Scaled scores of 75 or higher meet our requirement.  Note, if you have taken a Professional Responsibility Ethics Class in law school, and have passed with a grade of a “C” or better, you do not have to take the MPRE.
Can I use an MBE score from a previous exam?

No. New Jersey first implemented the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) with the February 2017 exam.  The UBE is a standardized test of minimum competency designed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).  The test is comprised of the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).  Applicants must take all portions of the UBE in the UBE jurisdiction in order to earn a portable UBE score. 
Are bar examination fees refundable?

Although the examination fees are nonrefundable, the Supreme Court will consider a petition to carryover bar examination fees due to extenuating circumstances. Such petitions must be in the form of an affidavit or certification and must be accompanied by supporting documentation.

Certified Statement of Character

How long are fingerprint cards good for and who is authorized to fingerprint me?

Applicants must submit to a criminal history check through the fingerprinting process.  Fingerprints are submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey State Police, who perform a records check.  Fingerprint submissions are required for each exam taken.  By federal and state laws, fingerprints taken by another New Jersey agency or another jurisdiction may not be used for the bar examination.  Onlya  alaw enforcement agency is authorized to take fingerprints.

You cannot be printed until you receive a Case Contributer’s Number.  If you are printed before receiving this information in your Acknowledgement Packet, you will have to be reprinted and pay the fee again.
The application requires me to get abstracts of my driving record for the past seven years. The state in which I am licensed provides only a three-year abstract. How do I comply with New Jerseys requirement?

The Board of Bar Examiners requires a “Complete Certified Abstract” for every jurisdiction in which you have held a driver’s license during the past seven years.   This does not mean that the abstract has to be for seven years.  Your request to Motor Vehicles must, however, state that you require a “complete certified abstract.”
My student loans have been consolidated. Do I need to list them individually or may I just list the consolidated lender?

List just the lender with whom you have consolidated your loans.  Note: this applies to applicants who have overdue amounts on their student loans.
I held a summer position several years ago but cannot remember my supervisor’s name, may I leave it blank?

If you have done your best to fill in all information, you may write in “do not recall.”

General Questions

Does New Jersey have reciprocity with any other jurisdiction (out-of-state attorneys only)?

Yes, Effective September 1, 2016, New Jersey adopted Admission by Motion for out-of-state attorneys from states with which New Jersey has reciprocity only. Please refer to Application Forms under Admission by Motion on the website. 

In-House Counsel

I am no longer employed by the company I listed on my application. Whom do I notify?

You must notify the Board of Bar Examiners within 90 days of termination of employment. If you are employed by another company, please complete the Change of Employer form located on our website. Your admission will expire if you are not employed by another company within one year of termination of employment and another application must be filed if you are subsequently hired by another company as an in-house attorney.

The application requires me to get abstracts of my driving record for the past seven years. The state in which I am licensed provides only a three-year abstract. How do I comply with New Jerseys requirement?

The Board of Bar Examiners requires a “Complete Certified Abstract” for every jurisdiction in which you have held a driver’s license during the past seven years. This does not mean that the abstract has to be for seven years. Your request to Motor Vehicles must however, state that you require a “complete certified abstract.” The State of New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles requires a written request to obtain a complete abstract.

I am admitted to several states and federal courts. Do I need to file Certificates of Good Standing from each of them?

You must file a Certificate of Good Standing from every jurisdiction, state and federal, to which you have ever been admitted.  If you have officially been granted inactive status, the jurisdiction should supply confirmation of the recognized status.  If you have ceased paying dues or have allowed your license to lapse, you will have to regularize your status in the jurisdiction so that proper certification can be submitted.

The application requires me to submit letters of disciplinary history. What if that jurisdiction does not have disciplinary authorities?

If the jurisdiction does not have disciplinary authorities, i.e., federal jurisdictions and agencies no documentation is required from them.  It is expected that if you have been disciplined by such jurisdiction or agency, full disclosure is expected to be made.

I am admitted in New Jersey working as in-house counsel. I am administrative ineligible because I have not kept up with my annual dues. What must I do to continue as in-house counsel?

You must be current with your annual dues.  The fees must be paid to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection immediately.

I have had a number of civil and administrative suits filed against the business entity I am employed. Do I have to submit the documentation?

If there was a judgment of liability against the you personally or in your official capacity as an officer or principal of the business entity, the matter must be disclosed and the relevant documents attached.  If you were not personally sued and named only in the capacity of an officer or an employee of the company and no judgment of liability issued against you, the suit need not be disclosed and documents do not need to be attached.

What kind of professional references are needed in the application?

Professional references from New Jersey for those who have been employed in the state for a number of years, as opposed to jurisdictions in which you have been admitted but had limited or no professional contact.  You need not present references from overlapping jurisdictions, for example from each department in New York and the Eastern District.

I am a patent attorney at a corporation. Do I have to apply for in-house counsel?

Because patent attorneys are federally regulated, you do not have to apply for in-house counsel licensure, unless you do other contractual work that would require a state license.

Can foreign attorneys apply for In-House Counsel?

Attorneys must be admitted to practice law before the highest court of an United States jurisdiction, such as any other state, territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia, in order to apply for In-House Counsel licensure.

How do I obtain the forms for name changes?

Complete the Name Change form and return it to the address provided. If you require a new wall license with your new name, please complete and submit the Request for Wall License form, along with a certified check or money order for $40 made payable to Secretary, New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.
How do I notify you with a change of address?

Complete the Address Change form and return it to the address provided.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from New Jersey once I am admitted?

ILG Exam360

What are the minimum system requirements to use the software?

Windows Requirements:	Mac Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 8 or higher	Operating System: OS X 10.10.0 or higher
Processor manufactured after 2010	Processor manufactured after 2010
2048 MB of (RAM)	2048 MB of (RAM)
500 MB hard drive space available	500 MB hard drive space available
Minimum resolution of 1024 x 768	Minimum resolution of 1024 x 768
Ability to connect to the internet	Ability to connect to the internet

Does my laptop need to have an active USB?

Yes, it is recommended that your laptop have an active USB port. Your laptop should have an active USB port if the jurisdictions requires a manual backup using a USB device. Additionally, if for some reason the software requires a reinstall at the exam site, an active USB is required.

How do I pay the software fee? 

If applicable to your state, click the registration link and follow the prompts to pay the software fee.

How do I download the software? 

A link will be made available to the ILG Exam360 download from your user home page. Simply click on the download link, select the proper operating system and install the software. 

How do I install the software on a Windows machine? 

If a warning screen appears during installation, click on the option to run the install file anyway. This button may be hidden under the “More Info” link. You might also need to disable your antivirus software during the download and installation process. 

How do I install the software on a Mac?

Once extraction is finished, you should drag and drop the icon into the applications folder. A common problem that you might have is that the OS might block the installation. In the event this occurs, you will have to change the security parameter or add an exception as explained on Apple support.

How do I log into ILG Exam360? 

You must use the same login information you use to log into your user account. Your email address must be entered in all lower case letters, your password and select the proper state.

What steps do I need to take in order to be considered registered?

In order to register the software, you must notify the jurisdiction of your intent to take the exam using your laptop, you must pay the software licensing fee, download the software, install the software and complete the before exam tasks including taking the Trial Exam and uploading the Trial Exam.

How do I know if I have the latest version of ILG Exam360? 

Prior to the exam, you can always login to ILG Exam360 while you have an internet connection. If there is an update to the software you will be prompted to install the new version. You can do so by logging into your user home page and following the download instructions.

Are there any functions on my computer that I should disable before using the software?

Yes, prior to the exam you should disable your antivirus software, screensaver and turn off any sleep mode. If you are using a Mac laptop you should also disable hot corners, touch bar and touchpad gestures.

Does my computer user profile need to have administrator rights?

You will need administrator rights in order to install the software and should have administrator rights when using the software.

What keyboard shortcuts are available?

Windows	Function	Mac
Ctrl + B	Bold	⌘ + B
Ctrl + I	Italic	⌘ + I
Ctrl + U	Underline	⌘ + U
Ctrl + C	Copy	⌘ + C
Ctrl + X	Cut	⌘ + X
Ctrl + V	Paste	⌘ + V
Ctrl + Z	Undo	⌘ + Z
Ctrl + Y	Redo	⌘ + Y
Ctrl + L	Align Left	⌘ + L
Ctrl + E	Align Center	⌘ + E
Ctrl + R	Align Right	⌘ + R
Ctrl + J	Justify Text	⌘ + J

What formatting options will be available?

The following formatting functions are available; however, availability for your specific exam is dictated by the individual jurisdiction. The functions below are options that may be available. The final options available will be included in your Trial Exam.

Font	Font Size	Copy	Cut (although we recommend copy/past to avoid data loss)	Paste
Undo	Redo	Bold	Italics	Underline
Left Align	Center	Right Align	Justify	Bullets
Numbering	Spell Check	Word Count	Character Count

How do I complete a Trial Exam? After logging into the software for the first time you will be required to review and complete the Help & Information section as well as the Before Exam Checklist. Once those tasks are complete, you will have access to start the Trial Exam. Click on the Start button to begin work in the Trial Exam Answer Files. Once you’ve completed your work in the Trial Exam Answer Files you can click the Finish button. You will be prompted to confirm that you wish to exit the exam.

How do I upload a Trial Exam?

Upon reopening the software after completing the Trial Exam, you can click on the Upload button found on the Upload Trail Exam tile.

What do I need to bring with me to the exam?

When you arrive at the exam, you should bring with you your laptop (with battery installed) and power cord. You should consult with the jurisdiction for any other specific requirements and prohibited items.

What do I do if I need to get up from my seat during the exam?

ILG Exam360 provides applicants the option to lock their exam when they are away from their seats. When you return to your seat, you will be prompted to re-enter your personal login password.

If something goes wrong with my laptop at the exam what should I do?

If you require assistance either prior to, during or after the exam, please follow the jurisdiction’s procedure for seeking technical assistance. Please note however, that if you seek technical assistance during the exam, the jurisdiction will not provide any additional time based on your decision to seek assistance.

Will there be technical support available at the exam?

Yes, technical support will be available prior to, during and after the exam. If for some reason your laptop experiences technical difficulties during the exam, you can seek technical assistance; however, you will be taking time away from the administration of the exam. Jurisdictions will not provide you additional time in order to seek technical assistance with your laptop.

Will I need to do a USB backup at the exam?

Backup procedures are unique to each jurisdiction. You should consult with the individual jurisdiction to determine if you will need a USB backup at the exam.

How do I know if my answer files were uploaded?

Once your answer files are uploaded you will receive an upload confirmation on screen. Additionally, you can click on the “My Account” button in ILG Exam360 to check on the progress toward completion of the required tasks, the status of your account and even confirm the confirmation upload date and time by clicking on the “Upload Status” tab. Furthermore, you will receive a number of confirmations based upon your preferences (email confirmation and text message or both). You can also log onto your user homepage and confirm your upload status. Please note that with exception to the onscreen confirmation and your “Upload Status” within ILG Exam 360, it could take up to 15 minutes to receive any of the confirmations sent and for your user homepage status to be updated.

What kind of confirmations will I receive after I upload?

Immediately following a successful upload, you will see an onscreen confirmation. Your “My Account” page within ILG Exam360 will also update immediately showing that you have completed all of the required steps for the exam. The “Upload Status” tab will also display the date and time you uploaded your answers. Within 15 minutes, based upon your confirmation preferences, you will also receive an email confirmation in addition to a text message confirmation if you signed up for SMS messaging. Finally, your Exam360 user homepage will display a message confirming your upload.

How do I contact technical support?

You can contact technical support at the exam site, by submitting a technical support ticket either from your user homepage or from the software (preferred method) or by contacting 833-ILG-SUPP (833-454-7877).

My touchpad/mouse stopped working. How do I resolve this issue?

If you are using a Microsoft Windows laptop and have the Windows 10 Creators update and are having mouse/touchpad issues you can follow these instructions for assistance.
Can I copy/paste in the essay (MPT/MEE) portion of the exam?

Yes, when using ILG Exam 360 software, you will be able to copy/paste when typing your responses to the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) and Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) portions of the exam.

Does the software enable larger font?

Yes, when using ILG Exam 360 software, you will be able to enlarge the font.