State Bar Examinations

Each jurisdiction establishes bar registration and admission standards for individuals who wish to practice law within the jurisdiction. One important aspect of admission to practice law is an evaluation relating to character and fitness. USC Law requires applicants for admission to fully disclose responses to the following questions:

• Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, expelled, or requested or advised to resign from an post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school?
• Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation)?
• Are any charges pending against you?

If the answer to any of the questions is in the affirmative, then a full written explanation must accompany the application. Candor is extremely important and appreciated by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Board of Bar Examiners of the state(s) in which they intend to practice, in order to secure information regarding the qualifications for admission to the practice of law, including character and fitness requirements, in that jurisdiction. Additional information can be found on website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. For applicants interested in the practice of law in California, information can be found here or at the State Bar of California website.