Law Student Registration: A Guide for Law Students

Bar examiners in a number of jurisdictions require law students to register with their licensing agencies while the student is enrolled in law school. In addition, several other jurisdictions offer a form of law student registration on a voluntary basis.

The purpose of such early registrations is to identify problems that might otherwise delay or adversely affect licensing after law school graduation, or to expedite processing of bar examination applications by completing preliminary work earlier in an applicant's law school career.

The following questions and answers are intended to assist law students in understanding the various types of law student registration processes.

What is law student registration?

Law student registration is a screening procedure used in approximately sixteen jurisdictions as part of their licensing procedures. Some states require, and others simply permit, prospective applicants to file an application early in the law students' career for the purpose of identifying issues that may present a problem at the time of licensing, or in order to speed the licensing process at the time of the bar examination.

Typically, a law student obtains an application from the jurisdiction in which he or she expects to practice, and files the application and fees with the bar admission agency.

Investigations are conducted by the staff of the bar admission agency in some jurisdictions, or by the National Conference of Bar Examiners on behalf of some others.

It is common for jurisdictions to require the applicant to update the application at the time that the applicant applies to take the bar examination.

When must I register?

Each jurisdiction sets its own application deadlines. Often the bar admission agency indexes the fees for its law student registration, thereby creating an incentive for law students to file early in law school.

Why should an investigation be conducted into my character and fitness?

Admission to the practice of law is typically regulated by the highest court in each jurisdiction. High courts, and the bar examiners who perform the bar admission function on their behalf, have traditionally valued the assessment of an applicant's character and fitness as part of the process that results in the licensing of lawyers. While testing and education may provide information about the applicant's competence to practice law, the public interest requires that the character of an applicant as well as his or her fitness to engage in the practice of law also receive a measure of review.

Law student registration commences the review process at an earlier point in time. This can have benefit to both the applicant and the jurisdiction.

What are the benefits of early investigation?

Law student registration often serves to eliminate matters of concern to law students, who may incorrectly presume that some matter may present an obstacle to obtaining a law license. For others whose applications present issues of concern to the bar examiners, early registration allows the applicant to make a better informed decision about whether to proceed with law school, or how to demonstrate that he or she has learned from past mistakes.

Applicants gain because they can obtain a decision before completing the expenditure of time and money in completing a law degree. Bar admission agencies gain because they are allowed the time to thoroughly investigate and thoughtfully evaluate candidates.

Which jurisdictions currently require law student registration?

The following jurisdictions currently offer or require registration by law students:

What if I'm not sure in which jurisdiction I intend to practice?

Many law students are uncertain about where their early law careers will take them. Under these circumstances, it is usually best to determine the requirements of the jurisdiction in which the law school is located, and to investigate the requirements of the two or three jurisdictions in which the law student is most likely to seek employment.

Law students who fail to register on the timetable set by the jurisdiction are permitted to take the bar examination in most cases, but fees for late registration are commonly assessed.

How do I confirm whether the jurisdiction in which I intend to practice requires registration by law students?

Your law school career services office should be able to assist you in determining bar admission requirements. In addition, a publication entitled “The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements” should be available through your law library. This annual publication lists those jurisdictions that require or permit law student registration.

What if I have some problem in my background that may lead to a negative determination?

There are, in fact, some matters that may adversely affect licensing of some applicants. There are far more situations, however, that cause law students unnecessary concern. Allaying these concerns is a strong reason for proceeding with the law student registration process, as it often permits the applicant to settle a question and attain peace of mind without having the prospect of disclosure loom until the end of law school.

What services does the National Conference of Bar Examiners provide?

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Bar Association (ABA). The Conference assists bar admission authorities by providing standardized examinations of uniform and high quality for the testing of applicants for admission to the practice of law. In addition, NCBE disseminates relevant information concerning admission standards and practices; conducts educational programs for the members and staffs of those authorities; conducts research; and provides an investigative reporting service to over thirty jurisdictions.

The Conference commenced its Law Student Registration Program (LSRP) several years ago to meet the needs of jurisdictions that require or permit law student registration. A number of jurisdictions now participate in the LSRP. Under this program, the student obtains the required application form from his or her law school or from the jurisdiction in which he or she wishes to practice, fills out the application, and returns it to the jurisdiction. At the request of the jurisdiction, NCBE prepares a confidential report for the jurisdiction regarding the applicant. As with NCBE's other investigative reports, the LSRP character report does not evaluate the character and fitness of the applicant to practice law; that is a determination that is made by the jurisdiction.

What if I have additional questions?

Your law school and the jurisdiction in which you intend to register are the best sources of further information regarding law student registration.

Several other matters...

Application forms are often lengthy and may require a great deal of time to complete. Law students should allow sufficient time well in advance of filing deadlines to complete the application and gather any accompanying materials.

Fill out the application completely, as failure to provide information may delay the process and may require additional time and effort at an inopportune time.

Answer all questions honestly and completely; sanctions can result from a failure to do so. Often the failure to disclose information yields a more serious outcome than the underlying matter would have produced had it been revealed by the applicant.