How to Apply for the Maryland Bar Exam

The Maryland State Board of Law Examiners recommends candidates for admission to the practice of law to the State's highest court, the Maryland Court of Appeals. The recommendation is based on a passing score on the Maryland bar examination and an investigation into a candidate's character and fitness to practice law. The bar admission application is a two-part form that consists of both an application to sit for the bar exam and a character questionnaire. It is therefore essential that the bar admission application is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner. Follow these steps to learn more.

Instructions

1. Review the Rules of the Court of Appeals of Maryland Governing Admission to the Bar of Maryland and the Rules of the Maryland Board of Bar Examiners to learn about the State's admission requirements and eligibility standards.

2. Download the Maryland Admission Application packet directly to your computer's hard drive or floppy disk from the website.

3. Commit your schedule to completing the Admission Application by September 15th for the February bar exam or January 16th for the July bar exam. Late fees are assessed for Applications missing these deadlines; but no applications are accepted beyond December 20th or May 20th for the February and July exams respectively.

4. Complete the application in its entirety using Adobe Reader. Tab each field in the application when you are done with an entry and save the document frequently. Double-check for errors and omissions.

5. Print the application making sure to follow the instructions contained in the Admission packet. Note that some pages are supposed to print double-sided, while others are single-sided.

6. Get the authorization and Release Form notarized.

7. Attach to your completed application the required application fee, a notarized authorization and release form, a certified copy of your driving history, a certification of employment, a certification of education, two reference letters, and if necessary, an armed forces discharge document, certified copies of all civil and/or criminal judgments and a statement regarding any mental condition or impairment.

8. Mail the application to the State Board of Bar Examiners in Annapolis, Maryland well before the stated deadlines for the desired test date.

9. File an Original Petition to sit for the Maryland Bar Examination, which certifies your graduation from an ABA-accredited law school. Include the appropriate filing fee and file by December 20th for the February exam or May 20th for the July exam.

10. Supplement your application, if necessary, with name, address or character questionnaire changes. All supplemental materials must be notarized.

Tips & Warnings

• Send a self-addressed stamped postcard to receive confirmation that the Board received your completed application.

• Notify the individuals that you used as references in your bar admission application since they will be contacted by the Maryland Board of Bar Examiners.

• Special testing accommodations are available for those with disabilities. Requests should be made by separate letter and include medical documentation of the disability.

• Keep a copy of the application for your records.

• Applications will be returned if they are incomplete or not properly printed.

• All fees must be paid by check or money order. Cash and credit card payments are not accepted.

• Applications will not be accepted beyond the last filing deadline.