The New York bar examination is administered twice per year, on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday each February and July. Effective July 2016, the New York bar exam consists of the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE).  As of October 2023, applications for the February bar exam must be filed with the NYS BOLE between October 1st - October 31st, and applications for the July bar exam must be filed with the NYS BOLE between March 1st - March 31st. Students should visit www.nybarexam.org for the most recent information about the bar exam application and required materials. 

Prior to starting the bar exam application, students should run a copy of their unofficial transcript via Banner Self-Service (SSB) as they will need specific information about courses taken and credits earned in order to complete the application. 

After the application deadline has passed, The BOLE will upload the COA's to their portal for each JD and LLM student who has applied to sit for the upcoming bar.  Upon graduation, the Office of the Registrar will complete and send those forms back to the BOLE along with a copy of the students' final transcripts. 

Once students pass the NY bar, they need to begin the process of being sworn in.  There are numerous documents that need to be mailed in as part of the application process. Students should contact the bar directly regarding questions about application materials and the swearing in process.

The Office of the Registrar completes both the Law School Certificate and the Skills Competency forms on behalf of graduates.  Please send forms to cardozoregistrar@yu.edu. These forms will be sent back directly to the bar along with a copy of the student’s law school application. Law School Certificates may not be sent back to the student.  It may take up to 2 weeks to process these forms and even longer for students who graduated more than 5 years ago. Please plan accordingly. Pro Bono forms are not filled out by the Office of the Registrar.  Instead, the supervisor of the Pro Bono work should complete those forms for the student.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. This will involve an extensive application with detailed questions relating to your work, educational and personal history. Students should be sure to complete these forms carefully, accurately and fully, as the answers will be thoroughly reviewed and may have a significant impact on the student’s application for admission.

A student’s law school application will be forwarded to the bar committee, and any discrepancy between the law school application and the bar application will be explored. If a student is unsure as to whether they were completely candid on their application to law school, they should contact the Office of the Registrar (cardozoregistrar@yu.edu) and ask to see a copy of their application. If a student needs to amend their application to the law school, they can make an appointment to speak to the Dean of Students to discuss the relevant issues and procedures.

Applicants are encouraged to determine the fitness requirements for any other jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Mailing addresses and website addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Students are also recommended to review the Guide to Bar Admissions Requirements published by the NCBE.

The Office of the Registrar can submit documentation to a state’s Board of Bar Examiners on behalf of graduates. Please send any forms that need to be completed to the Office of the Registrar at cardozoregistrar@yu.edu. It may take up to 2 weeks to process these forms and even longer for students who graduated more than 5 years ago. Please plan accordingly. Please visit the “The Bar Exam” section of the website for additional information