The Supreme Court of Ohio
& The Ohio Judicial System

Office of Bar Admissions

Article IV, Section 2(B)(1)(g) of the Ohio Constitution grants the Supreme Court of Ohio exclusive jurisdiction to regulate admission to the practice of law in Ohio. The Supreme Court exercises this jurisdiction pursuant to Rule I of the Rules for the Government of the Bar, which establishes requirements for admission to the practice of law. Each applicant for admission must demonstrate that he or she possesses the requisite character, fitness, and moral qualifications for admission. Once an applicant's character, fitness, and moral qualifications are approved, most applicants must take and pass the Ohio bar examination, which is administered in February and July each year. An applicant who is admitted to the practice of law in another state may be eligible for admission without examination.

The Office of Bar Admissions of the Supreme Court oversees the admissions process and supports the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness and the Board of Bar Examiners. The Office also administers Court rules that govern the limited practice of law by legal interns, the temporary certification of non-Ohio attorneys to work in legal aid, public defender, or law school clinic programs, and the limited practice of law by foreign legal consultants.

NOTICE: Rather than the previous $22 fee, applicants applying to take the July 2011 bar examination will be required to pay $24 for the two Multistate Performance Test (MPT) items.

Bar Admissions Online Services

• Check the status of admissions application(s)
• Update contact information*
• Supplement application(s)
• Request information or assistance from the Office of Bar Admissions

*Please note that former applicants who have been admitted to the practice of law in Ohio may view their applicant information and the status of their previous applications; however, they cannot edit information.

Guidelines for Requesting Evaluation of Foreign Education

Admission Applications

Exam Applications

Certification as a Legal Intern

Character and Fitness

Bar Examination

Disabilities

General Information

Important Dates

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