Admissions
To be licensed as a lawyer in Washington state, you must either take and pass the Washington State Bar Exam or be admitted through Reciprocity. Once admitted, you are a member of the WSBA and may practice law in Washington.
Admission Options
The Bar Exam pages have information about the requirements for applying for and taking the Washington State Bar Exam for:
See the Qualifications page to find out if you qualify to take the Washington bar exam.
For all lawyers admitted to in another U.S. jurisdiction with a reciprocal admission rule.
Various programs for U.S. and foreign lawyers, law students, LPOs, and non-lawyers.
Character and Fitness
All applicants are subject to a character and fitness review prior to being admitted to practice law in Washington state. The practice of law is a privilege, not a right. Admission may be withheld pending a hearing before the Character and Fitness Board and final determination regarding whether the applicants have met their burden of proving that they are of good moral character and fit to practice law. The Board reserves the right for further evaluation based on all factors before making a recommendation to the Court.
Applicants who currently reside outside the United States are advised to file early, as late filing may cause a delay in notification of your ability to sit. If there is a problem, we will contact you.