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Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


The following questions are frequently asked about admission to the bar of North Carolina. Each of the below questions is linked to the corresponding answer.

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Frequently Asked Questions


- Is it acceptable to use fingerprint cards from another state or organization?
- What do I need to do for my application to be considered "filed"?
- How do I find out if my application has been received?
- Why is my application being returned to me?
- I have to use my laptop computer on the bar exam. What do I need to know?
- UBE Transfer Applicants- What does Rule .0504(6) mean?
- What is the link to the ExamSoft registration page?
- What is the link to the ExamSoft FAQ page?
- Do I need to send a new photograph and Certificates of Good Standing each time I apply to take the Bar Exam?
- How can I request a receipt for application fees paid?
- What subject matter is tested on the North Carolina State Bar Exam?
- What are the requirements for an uploaded photo?
- What types of applications require an uploaded photo?
- My photo is "Expired". How do I upload a new photo?

Frequently Asked Questions


Is it acceptable to use fingerprint cards from another state or organization?

No. Please fax, email, or write us to request the correct fingerprint cards. Please read the Fingerprint Card Instructions.

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What do I need to do for my application to be considered "filed"?

For your application to be considered filed, you must submit the following items in hard copy to the Board by the applicable filing deadline:

 

      - Check or money order for the full application fee, including late fees.

      - Two copies of your application (double-sided), signed and notarized.

      - Two executed information Authorization and Release forms (signed and notarized).

      - Completed application Signature Page.

 

These documents must be postmarked or received in the Board’s office by the applicable filing deadline for your application to be considered filed.      

 

Please be advised that this is not an exhaustive list of all documents needed to consider your application complete. Refer to the Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in the State of North Carolina for more information.

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How do I find out if my application has been received?

Please request delivery notification services from the provider you use to send in your application. FedEx, UPS, and the US Postal Service all offer delivery notification services. In the weeks surrounding the deadlines, we receive several hundred applications per day. It is impossible to determine if your application is in the stacks of applications waiting to be processed. Once your application has been received and assigned to an investigative analyst for processing, your analyst will notify you.

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Why is my application being returned to me?

For an application to be considered complete, it must be signed by the Applicant and notarized; it must include the application fee, two (2) signed and notarized Authorization and Release forms; it must be submitted in a double-sided format, with every question answered, including the handwriting sample.

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I have to use my laptop computer on the bar exam. What do I need to know?

As of February 2023, the Board requires laptop use and works hard to make this option function smoothly for everyone. The only exception to this is if an applicant is required to handwrite their essays under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have a disability, please be sure to apply for Special Accommodations by the specified deadline. There are deadlines for registering to use your laptop so that the Board can ensure that the examination facility will have enough power and computer technicians available on site and so that you have time to install and test the required software. Please see the Laptop Use section of this website for more information about the laptop option.

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UBE Transfer Applicants- What does Rule .0504(6) mean?

Please note the clarification of Rule .0504(6) of the Rules Governing Admission to Practice Law in North Carolina, available HERE.

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What is the link to the ExamSoft registration page?

www.examsoft.com/ncbar

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What is the link to the ExamSoft FAQ page?

https://bar.examsoft.com/faq/

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Do I need to send a new photograph and Certificates of Good Standing each time I apply to take the Bar Exam?

Yes.

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How can I request a receipt for application fees paid?

Please go to the “Information and Applications” tab on the home page of the website, then click on the “Deadlines & Fees” link. You will find a link to request an electronic receipt for your application fees at the top of the page. Additionally, you may call, write or fax your request.

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What subject matter is tested on the North Carolina State Bar Exam?

Please see Rule .0903 under the Rules link on this website for a list of subjects tested on the North Carolina Bar Examination.

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What are the requirements for an uploaded photo?

The acceptance of your photo is at the discretion of the Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina.

Your photo must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be an image file: .png, .jpg, .jpeg
  • Must be a color photo.
  • An individual photo taken in front of a plain white background.
  • Must reflect your current appearance.
  • Full face view, directly facing the camera, with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
  • The photo should include only your shoulders and head.
  • Taken with uniform lighting/not show shadows/shadowing of facial features.
  • No hat or head covering unless worn for religious purposes.
  • Glasses are permitted; however, glare in the photo is not acceptable (glare can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of the glasses or by turning off the flash).
  • Minimum size of 300 x 300 once uploaded and cropped.
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What types of applications require an uploaded photo?

Bar Exam, UBE Score Transfer, Comity and Supplemental applications are required to upload a photo.

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My photo is "Expired". How do I upload a new photo?

To do so, you can use the "Upload Photo" button in the UPLOAD YOUR PHOTO box on your user homepage or in the upper right corner click on your name and choose "Edit Personal Info" from the dropdown. The "Upload New Photo" button is located below the "Place of Birth" field.

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