District of Columbia

IMPORTANT: Since jurisdiction rules and policies change, you are strongly advised to consult the jurisdiction's bar admission agency directly for the most current information.

Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements Cover

The information provided on this page is drawn from the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements. Links are provided to specific charts in the Guide; each chart is followed by jurisdiction-specific supplemental remarks. Please consult both the chart and its remarks for complete information. (Information last updated Apr 28, 2023.)

Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees

  • ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required: No See Chart 3
  • Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility: Yes See Chart 4
  • Bar Exam Application Filing Deadlines: See Chart 7
  • Bar Exam Application Fees: See Chart 7

UBE Adoption

  • UBE Adoption: Yes
  • UBE First Administration Date: July 2016
  • UBE Minimum Passing Score: 266
  • UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Component: No

Admission on Transferred UBE Score

  • Admission on Transferred UBE Score: Yes
  • Effective Date: March 2016
  • Minimum Score: 266
  • Maximum Score Age: 5 years
  • Jurisdiction-Specific Component: No
  • UBE Score Services

District of Columbia Bar Exam Components

  • The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE): Yes
    • Accepts Transferred MBE Scores: No except for applications submitted prior to 3/31/22
  • The Multistate Essay Examination (MEE): Yes
  • The Multistate Performance Test (MPT): Yes
  • Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam: No

MPRE Requirements

Character and Fitness Investigations

NCBE provides character and fitness services for the following applicant types in District of Columbia:

  • First Bar Admission (Examinee)
  • Attorney
  • Foreign-Educated/Foreign-Licensed
  • Admission by Transferred UBE Score
View Character and Fitness Services for District of Columbia

Admission on Motion

  • Admission on Motion: Yes See Chart 14 and Chart 15
  • Number of Years of Practice Required: None

Change Jurisdiction

Bar Admission Agency
Committee on Admissions
D.C. Court of Appeals

430 E St. NW, Rm. 123

Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (202) 879-2710

Fax: (202) 879-2794

Email: coa@dcappeals.gov

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Bar Admission Online Guide

Jurisdiction-specific bar admission requirements 
and directory of state bar admission agencies.