The Bar Exam
INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION FOR RULE 18
Who Must Take the Washington State Bar Examination?
All lawyer applicants for admission to the Washington State Bar Association from other jurisdictions which require Washington lawyers seeking admission in that jurisdiction to take and pass of their state bar examination must take and pass the corresponding bar examination in Washington. If the full bar examination is required, please use the Application to take the Washington State Bar Examination and for the Admission to the Washington State Bar Assn., available from the WSBA Admissions Department.
Lawyer applicants from jurisdictions requiring lawyer applicants to take and pass the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) are required to take and pass the Washington Professional Responsibility Examination, which is administered twice yearly in February and July. The MPRE scores are not transferable to Washington. LINK TO EXAM DEADLINES
WASHINGTON STATE BAR INFORMATION SHEET
Two complete applications must be filed. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Attorney Applicants (admitted in another jurisdiction): postmarked 120 days prior to exam
Repeat Examinees: received at WSBA office by 5:00 p.m. 60 days prior to exam
Late filing Applicants: received at WSBA office by 5:00 p.m. 50 days prior to exam
If you are not required to sit for any portion of the WSBA examination you are not required to file by any deadline.
Attorney Applicants (admitted in another jurisdiction)
The Washington State Bar Exam consists of a single two hour and fifteen minute session comprised of 6 short essay questions on the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. There is no multistate bar exam (MBE or MPRE) given or accepted in the state of Washington.
All applicants are subject to a character and fitness review prior to being allowed to sit for the Washington State Bar Exam. The practice of law is a privilege, not a right. Permission to sit for the bar exam may be withheld pending a hearing before the Character and Fitness Committee.
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE RULES AND PROCEDURES
Please see on the internet http://www.courts.wa.gov/rules/list.cfm?
group=ga&set=APR
For an applicant who is unable to attend the exam after having registered, there are two options: a transfer (to the next exam only), or a partial refund. Requests must be made in writing signed and, for a refund, received at least 10 days before the test date.
All or a portion of any fee paid is non-refundable. For all applicants there is a $100 (pending Supreme Court approval) non-refundable processing fee. If a written request to withdraw is received by the Admissions Department of the WSBA at least 10 days prior to the first day of the examination, the applicant may receive a refund of the fee paid less: a) the $100 (pending Supreme Court approval) processing fee, and b) any investigation costs incurred by the WSBA (including the investigation fee paid to the National Conference of Bar Examiners for Attorney Applicants). The maximum amount refunded is $385.00.
Applicants who wish to withdraw from the exam may request in writing 10 days prior to bar exam to apply the exam fee to the next examination only, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Any applicant transferring to the next examination must execute and file a supplemental application in the form prescribed by the Board of Governors and pay an additional non-refundable $250 processing fee at the time of reapplying.
(b) No applicant transferring to the next exam will be eligible for any refunds unless they were eligible for a refund for the original exam.
(c) Attorney applicants requesting a transfer to the next examination are not required to repay National Conference of Bar Examiners investigation fees.
(d) All transfers must be requested in writing along with your signature. If you are required to sit for the exam this must be postmarked at least 10 days prior to the exam.
Are published in the West Publishing volume, "Washington Court Rules- State", and on the Internet at Ethics.
A packet of questions from 10 past exams is available for $20.00 + tax. One exam will include actual responses as written by successful applicants' they are not intended to be "perfect" answers and may contain errors of grammar or law.
Directions to Meydenbauer Center exam site
Bar Review Courses
The Washington State Bar Association does not endorse, approve or rate any bar review courses. A page of Bar Review Course contact information is maintained as a convenience to the public and at the request of the each course sponsor.
BAR EXAM SCHEDULE FOR RULE 18 ONLY
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
THURSDAY
PHOTO ID REQUIRED *
6:30 a.m. 7:45 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Questions 19-24
* PHOTO ID = Drivers license or passport. WSBA does not issue advance admission tickets.
Applications will not be accepted prior to October 1 for the winter exam or March 1 for the Summer exam. All signed documents included or attached to the application must be dated no earlier than 6 months prior to the exam.
Standard tables and chairs are provided at the bar exam. Any additional items, i.e., pillows, chairs, food or medication, must be requested at least 10 days in advance of the bar exam. All requests must be supported in writing by a doctor. Applicants with medical, physical, or cognitive disabilities may request that the bar exam be administered under special circumstances to accommodate their needs. These requests must be made in writing not less than 40 days in advance of the exam and supported by medical documentation. All determinations are made on a case by case basis. Special accommodation forms are available by contacting the Admissions Department. (206) 727-8229 or maryb@wsba.org.
Rules of Professional Conduct Portion, a single session of two hours and 15 minutes on the third day of the exam. There are six questions, each with 29 lines for the response. Again, three sheets of scratch paper are provided.
The bar exam does not include or require the MBE or MPRE.
Orderly presentation of material, grammatical construction, and legibility are important in grading. Avoid use of symbols or abbreviations. The reasons for each answer are more important than the conclusions, but be as brief as is consistent with clarity.
The Washington State Bar Association now offers applicants the opportunity to use a personal laptop computer for the bar exam through ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc., using software called SofTest, which blocks access to ay files on an applicant's laptop other than its own word-processing function. SofTest is downloaded onto your computer in advance of the exam. A laptop's full operating functions resume after SofTest reboots the computer back into Windows following the completion of an exam. For further information please see http://examsoft.com/generic/frame.asp?faqapp.
All answers must appear in blue or black ink. Use of pencils, colored pens may result in disqualification. Erasable pens are allowed, but are not recommended due to smearing.
The release date for the Winter exam is generally the first weekend in May, and the first weekend in October for the Summer exam. Forty-eight (48) hours after the results are mailed, the "Pass List" is posted in the 6th Floor Lobby of the WSBA office and the WSBA website at http://www.wsba.org. Applicants may also telephone for their results on this day. Seventy-two (72) hours after the mailing, the "Pass List¨ becomes a matter of public record and is released to the media (small newspapers are more likely to run the names of successful applicants than the larger ones due to their size). The WSBA Bar News also publishes the list.
Change of Address
The burden of responsibility rests solely on the applicant to provide written notification with your signature of an address change to the WSBA. For timely receipt of WSBA correspondence, you must allow 10 days for your address change to take effect. Please indicate you are a Rule 18 Applicant in your notice. Your signature must accompany all address changes.
Applicants whose failing scores fall within a set range can appeal. There is no appeal for those failing below this range. If an applicant qualifies, a total of six questions can be reviewed for each section. As the original score is not shown to the Appeals Committee examiners, a grade may go up, down, or remain the same.
Any further questions should be directed to the WSBA Admissions Department at (206) 727-8209, or mailed to the WSBA address. The WSBA Homepage is at http://www.wsba.org; Admissions information is under the heading "Licensing". E-mail the Admissions Manager at maryb@wsba.org, or Admission Staff at merryf@wsba.org. , gusq@wsba.org or amandaf@wsba.org
YOU MUST READ EACH PARAGRAPH CAREFULLY! FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN THE PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION
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Two Application forms
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Application Instruction booklet
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Attorney Certificate
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Admission to Practice Rules and Procedures booklet
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Rules of Professional Conduct booklet
1. Two fully completed and executed Applications (one may be a photo copy).
2. All questions must be answered completely: Questions A-Y
3. Good Moral Character references signed by two attorneys in good standing from any state. Must be dated within the past 6 months.
4. Authorization and Release form (page 10) - signed and notarized.
5. Two copies of Good Standing Certificate from each jurisdiction in which you are an active or inactive member (Federal Courts excepted).
6. A copy of your States' reciprocity rule.
No Exceptions will be granted to the filing deadlines. If your application is not postmarked/received by the appropriate deadline a late filing charge will be imposed. If you miss the late filing deadline, you will not be allowed to sit for this bar exam (See filing schedule). The correct filing fee must accompany your application forms (See fee schedule).Please note that if you are not required to sit the exam you do not need to file by the deadlines.
Please print or type your application carefully. It must be legible!
You must answer every question and submit any requested supplemental information with your application. False statements or deliberate omissions will raise character issues denying admission. The responsibility of full disclosure rests entirely upon the applicant. Failure to fully disclose as requested in this application may be considered a reflection on the applicant's moral character and may itself result in denial of admission. There cannot be too much disclosure. If you are in doubt of any information, include it. If you are unsure, provide all the information to the best of your ability.
All answers and explanations offered by you are kept confidential and are available only to the Washington State Bar Association and the Supreme Court of Washington.
Approval to sit for the examination is dependent upon a determination that the applicant is of good moral character. Approval to sit for the examination does not automatically secure admission to the practice of law even if the applicant is successful on the examination. The Board of Governors and the Supreme Court have the right to raise questions concerning admission at any time.
If any answer on your application changes (including address changes) prior to your admission to the bar, you are required to notify the WSBA office in writing and submit any relevant documentation to supplement your application.
You will receive acknowledgment of receipt of this application within approximately 15-20 working days. You will not receive approval to sit until approximately 10 days prior to the exam. You will not receive admission tickets but instead must provide photo ID at registration.
Time notices will be announced during the examination. Although the exam staff will assist with these announcements, the applicant has full responsibility regarding the time elapsed and time remaining in any session. You must stop writing when directed to do so at the end of a test session. If you have completed a session at least 10 minutes before it is scheduled to end, you may leave early. Hand your exam questions and scratch paper to a proctor in this case. After the ten minute announcement, you must remain in your seat until all exams have been picked up.
Do not use symbols or abbreviation. Give reasons for every answer; they are more important than conclusions. Be as brief as is consistent with clarity. Give attention to readability--if your answers are not clear, your results will be delayed and you may be required to transcribe them at your own expense.
Answers must appear in blue or black ink only. Colored pens, pencils will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of each applicant to insure that he or she has enough pens. LAPTOP APPLICANTS: The applicant assumes the responsibility for any laptops left overnight or any equipment failure.
Standard tables and chairs are provided. No lamps, cushions, special chairs, footstools or anything of this nature may be taken into the testing rooms without prior approval from the Bar Office. You must make a WRITTEN request at least 10 days before the first day of the examination for consideration. The object will be removed if you have not received permission. Nothing other than test materials may be on your desk during the exam. Your table must be clear of all books, tablets, paper, coats, etc. All items must be next to the wall or under your desk in a bag or case. Scratch paper must be left in the exam room.
EXAM SITE INFORMATION
No food or drink is permitted in the testing rooms during the exam. Please dispose of all bottles, cans, cups, etc. before you begin the examination. Water is available in the exam room.
Be considerate of your fellow examinees; do nothing that will disturb other applicants, i.e., strong perfume or cologne, finger tapping, etc.
Talking to other applicants or unnecessarily to the proctors is prohibited. If an applicant finds it necessary to consult the Presiding Officer, he or she should do so as quietly as possible.
Leaving the exam room is only permissible in the company of a proctor. During such an absence, no conversation with anyone is permitted.
Dress comfortably so as to do your best work. Be prepared for different temperatures.
Smoking is prohibited in the building of the testing site. Those wishing to smoke will be allowed to do so only in designated smoking areas outside.
These items will be available at the exam for purchase:
Earplugs $1.00
Rules of Professional Conduct books $5.00
Due to the number of persons taking the examination and the great care given the grading process, examination results will not be known until approximately two months after the bar exam. Generally, results for the Summer exam are released the beginning of October, and for the Winter exam the beginning of May.
A letter advising you of the results of the examination will be mailed to you at the LAST ADDRESS which you provide WSBA. Forty-eight (48) hours after the letters are mailed, the results will be released to the press and posted in the Bar Office. The list of successful applicants will be posted on the WSBA website at: http://www.wsba.org.
The burden of notification of change of address rests solely with the applicant. In the event of an address change, notify the Bar Office IN WRITING (signature required) in order to receive your exam results as quickly as possible. Please address the envelope to the attention of the Admissions Department so the information can be processed immediately.
If you have previously taken the bar examination and passed one portion (i.e., Professional Responsibility), but not the other (i.e., Substantive), you will not be required to repeat the passed portion. This means you will not need to be present on the day(s) the previously passed section is given. BE CERTAIN that you have passed that portion in a prior examination, and that 25 months have not elapsed before you elect not to sit for that part of the exam.
It is extremely important that you be aware of the current policies governing retention of passing results on one part of the examination and the requirements for passing both parts of the examination within a twenty-five month period. Those policies can be found under Policy VI (D) in the Admissions to Practice Rules and Procedures handbook (included in your Application Packet).
QUESTION A. You must notify the WSBA Admissions Department in writing of any change of address. Please indicate that you are an exam applicant. If you do not have a social security number please indicate why on a separate piece of paper.
QUESTION B. For investigation purposes and to research your law degree, we will need any other name or names that you have used.
QUESTION C. Name all jurisdictions and courts in which you are admitted to practice law. Include the date of admission and your current standing (continue on additional sheet if necessary).
QUESTION D. Indicate the date of graduation and the name and address of the law school from which you received your Juris Doctorate or Bachelor of Law degree.
QUESTION E. Answer completely and thoroughly, including dates.
QUESTION F. List personal residential addresses for the past five years (attach additional sheet if necessary). .
QUESTION G. If yes, please describe the reasonable accommodation you request on an attached sheet. Submission of confirmation of your condition from a Medical Doctor, Therapist, or Educational Specialist is mandatory. You must also provide a description and documentation of the accommodations that were provided by your college or law school
QUESTION H. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet, accompanied with appropriate documentation including a copy of the charging instrument.
QUESTION I. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION J. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION K. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet accompanied with appropriate documentation including schedules showing debts discharged, any creditors objections, and order of discharge.
QUESTION L. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION M. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION N. This does include parking tickets as well as traffic violations. You must include all information to the best of your ability.
QUESTION O. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION P. If yes, please provide dates and results of that exam.
QUESTION Q. If yes, please provide Legal Intern number
QUESTION R. If yes, what was the date and capacity of your admission.
QUESTION S. If yes, please give date of enrollment.
QUESTION T. If yes, when, where, and what were the results of your examination? If your results are pending from another state you must provide these results and your date of admission when known.
QUESTION U. If yes, provide full details and relevant documentation.
QUESTION V. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet, accompanied with a copy of the complaint(s) or grievance(s) and other relevant documentation
QUESTION W. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION X. If yes, give full details on an attached sheet.
QUESTION Y. Under what terms and conditions does the state or territory or the District of Columbia that licensed you to practice law allow the admission of licensed Washington lawyers?
PAGE 8: Any two lawyers who are in good standing from any state may sign your Good Moral Character reference. You do not need four lawyers. These two Lawyers must be in good standing and may be an inactive lawyer, a judge, or a relative. The length of time these two lawyers have known you is not critical. Must be dated February 1 or later for the summer exam and September 1 or later for the winter exam.
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MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED NOTARIZED AND SIGNED THIS PORTION OF THE APPLICATION.
Please keep a copy of all material filed with the bar for your record.
Shuttle Express has ground transportation from the SEA/TAC Airport to all Bellevue hotels listed. http://www.airportshuttleexpress.net. Call in advance for reservations at (206) 622-1424.
You will have one hour to get your lunch, eat, and return to your seat for the next exam session. Given the shortage of convenient dining facilities in the area, you may want to bring a sack lunch. Ask your hotel upon check-in for the availability of packed lunches and early breakfast service. At the exam, coffee, tea, and juice are provided throughout the testing period.
ADDRESS CHANGES
The last address you give the Washington State Bar Association will be used on all correspondence. It is your responsibility to notify the Bar, IN WRITING, (signature required) of address changes. Our responsibility ceases when correspondence is directed to the address as it appears on our records.
Not providing the WSBA with a current address may delay the receipt of results, request forms, or other key information. No exceptions are made for missed deadlines due to outdated address information.
You may submit the form below or a personal written request (signature required) for notifying the WSBA of an address change.
ALL ADDRESS CHANGES MUST BE MADE IN WRITING!
NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE BY PHONE OR E-MAIL
YOUR SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED
ADDRESS CHANGE
BAR EXAMINATION APPLICANT
Current Date:
Name:
New Address:
New Phone Number:
Date Effective:
Signature (required):
