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Frequently Asked Questions

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Bar Examination

What are the bar exam filing deadlines?
Does Colorado allow courtesy seating for the purpose of obtaining a transferable UBE score?
No, Colorado only allows seating for bona fide applicants for the purpose of being admitted to practice law in Colorado. See the Statement of Verification in the Application Docs section of your online application for required certifications.
How do I receive a refund of my application fees?
Application fees are non-refundable.
I will not be in town the day of the Bar Exam Admission Ceremony, how can I become licensed?
I will finish my academic JD requirements prior to the exam, but I will not receive my degree until the next scheduled ceremony. Can I still apply?

A conferred law school degree is required to SIT for the bar exam, not to submit an application.

If you will complete all educational requirements prior to the bar exam, but your degree will not be conferred until after the exam, please contact our Office.

Why am I still not cleared to sit for the exam?
Please carefully read the message in your message center and then review the 'Documents' section of your application for document status. All application documents must indicate an "Approved" status before you will be "cleared to sit" for the exam.
Can I use my laptop to take the bar exam?

Yes, examinees may register their laptops with ILG to complete the essay/written portions of the exam.

Colorado will begin administering the NextGen UBE Bar Exam for the July 2028 Bar Exam administration. A laptop is required to take that exam.

Can I bring guests to the Bar Exam Admission Ceremony?
Will there be a place to stow my backpack, purse, computer case and/or other prohibited items?
A separate Personal Belongings area will be available. BRING NO VALUABLES.
What if I need a break or need to use the restroom during the exam?
Breaks are generally permitted at any time during the exam session. However, no extra time is granted for time lost taking a break or using the restroom.
Do I need prior approval to bring medications or a medical device to the exam?
When and how will I receive my exam results?
What is the deadline for registering my laptop to use on the bar exam?
Am I eligible to take the Colorado Bar Exam?
I have a degree from a foreign country. How do I know I am eligible?
When can I take the oath of admission?
How do I know if my bar exam score is a UBE score?

The first administration of the Colorado Legacy UBE was February 2012. Scores achieved on exams prior to that date are not valid UBE scores. 

The NextGen UBE will be administered for the first time in Colorado for the July 2028 Exam Administration.

How do I withdraw an application?
Is fingerprint submission required to SIT for the bar exam?
Do I really need an extension cord for my laptop at the exam?

Our Office recommends examinees bring a surge protector (with multiple outlets) to the exam. Outlets are provided for every examinee.


Character and Fitness

What is meant by possessing the necessary character and fitness?
What are the Essential Eligibility Requirements for the practice of law?
What questions are asked on the Character and Fitness Questionnaire?
What is the most common reason for denial of a bar application?
Will any incident in my past automatically disqualify me from admission to the Bar?
How does Attorney Admissions conduct further inquiry?
How does Attorney Admissions determine the appropriate weight and significance to give prior conduct?
I was previously denied admission in Colorado for character and fitness reasons. May I reapply?
What can an applicant do if the applicant believes his or her record may cause further inquiry?
Why is evidence of rehabilitation so important?
What kind of inquiry will be conducted if an applicant has abused drugs or alcohol, or has been treated for chemical abuse or dependency?
Evidence of drug or alcohol dependence or abuse that results in misconduct or interferes with the ability to practice law is a factor in completing a character and fitness investigation. Examples may include but are not limited to criminal arrest, employment terminations, and inability to care for oneself or others in their care.

The Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) is a confidential resource available to recent law school students, graduates and licensed attorneys. COLAP may be able to assist an applicant in determining what steps can be taken now to assess the current status of a condition or impairment, and if needed, to seek treatment and/or testing. See www.coloradolap.org.
Why are mental or emotional conditions relevant to a bar application?
Attorney Admissions will investigate whether a mental or emotional condition impairs the applicant’s ability to practice law. During the character and fitness investigation of an application, the Office of Attorney Admissions may ask for additional documentation pertaining to a mental health condition. Learn more about the Character and Fitness Process here.

The Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) is a confidential resource available to recent law school students, graduates and licensed attorneys. COLAP may be able to assist an applicant in determining what steps can be taken now to assess the current status of a condition or impairment, and if needed, to seek treatment and/or testing. See www.coloradolap.org.
Once an applicant discloses confidential medical, psychological or chemical dependency treatment records, will Attorney Admissions keep those records confidential?

Attorney Admissions must hold all information and records received in the admission process in the strictest confidence with limited exceptions. See C.R.C.P. 203.1 and 211.1

Will a felony conviction prohibit my admission?
When will my Character and Fitness Investigation be finished?
Are you going to contact all of the references I include in my application?
Yes. All references, employers and former employers will be contacted via the email address you provide for each individual. Every effort should be made to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate email address for each individual listed. If an email address is not available a letter will be sent by U.S. Mail to the address indicated. Incomplete email and address information will significantly delay the completion of your character and fitness investigation and also delay your approval for admission to practice law in Colorado.
Do I have a duty to supplement or update my application?

Please reference C.R.C.P. 203.1 and 208.2.

Application Supporting and Required Documents

Am I cleared to sit for the exam?
All documents listed under "Application Docs" in the Required Documents' section of your application must reflect a status of APPROVED in order to be cleared to sit for the exam. In some cases documents are insufficient because they were not completed in accordance with the instructions. You are urged to check your application account frequently to determine the status of a document.
What do all the document statuses mean?
Not Submitted
No document has been submitted/uploaded via the application system.

Submitted
A document has been submitted/uploaded via the application system but has not yet been reviewed.

Pending Review
The document has not yet been completely reviewed and determined to be sufficient.

Insufficient
The document submitted does not meet the requirements set forth in the application instructions and/or “Doc Info” instructions associated with that particular document. You must review the document requirements and resubmit the document in question unless you receive other instructions from staff.

Duplicate
This is a duplicate of a document that was uploaded to another document placeholder. No further action is required.

Reviewed
The document may be a duplicate of a document that was insufficient, resubmitted and is now approved; or it is not exactly the document that was requested but it is acceptable. The document has been reviewed and no further action is required.

Awaiting Original Doc
The document is approved and acceptable based upon electronic review, but the original hard copy must also be received by the Office of Attorney Admissions.

Approved
The document is what was requested and is approved. No further action is required.
May I fax my documents and information?
No. Only under limited circumstances, when specifically instructed by staff this prohibition is waived. Documents must be uploaded to your web-based application. Please refer to the application document instructions for specifics about particular required documents.
How can I confirm receipt of my application materials?
All application materials are acknowledged through the application management system. Our goal is to accurately and completely review your application and documents as soon as possible after receipt of materials. In acknowledging receipt of your application materials, you will also be advised of items that remain outstanding. Staff will not confirm receipt of materials by telephone as this not only compromises the confidentiality of the application process, but also delays the review and confirmation of those materials.
Where do I send my original hard copy documents?
Hard copy documents are not required to be sent to our office.
Must I submit a Law School Graduation Certificate if I went to a law school in Colorado?
No. The University of Colorado and the University of Denver will provide the names of all students who graduated and who are taking the Colorado bar exam. But you must inform the registrar’s office that you are taking the exam so they will know to send us a certification of your graduation.
Why is it taking so long for my law school to send my graduation certificate?
It takes several weeks following receipt of grades for the law school registrars to certify the graduation of their students. If you have informed your law school that you are taking the Colorado Bar Exam, provided the blank Certificate of Graduation. Law schools may upload a copy of your Law School Graduation Certificate here.
Why do I need to submit my fingerprints?
They are part of a fingerprint-based criminal history check. New fingerprints are required with each application submission, including reapplication. Please read all of the information regarding the Fingerprint Submission Requirement.
How do I submit the required fingerprints?
New fingerprints are required with each application submission, including reapplications. Please read all of the information regarding the Fingerprint Submission Requirement.
Must my driving record be certified?
A driving record need not be "certified." However, it must be an official copy issued by the agency responsible for maintaining driving records for the state and must cover at least a three-year history. Records issued by a third party vendor or records that are more than 30 days old at the time they are submitted will not be accepted. Further, jurisdictions may use different terms for the required document, and there is a distinction between a driving record and a driver history. A driving record will contain your driving history over a certain period of time and provides details about traffic accidents, violations, suspensions, and more; a driver history is simply a document containing personal information including your license status, vital data, classifications, endorsements, and expiration date. You must provide a driving record, not a history.
What is a Sworn Affidavit and is there a specific form required?
An affidavit is a written statement of facts voluntarily made by an affiant under oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. There is no specific form for this purpose. However, it must contain the required jurat.
What do I do if the court, police department, or creditor tells me no record is available?
If the agency indicates that a record is not available, you must obtain a letter or other documentation from the agency indicating that the record is no longer available.

Document Requests

Document Requests

Please reference the Documents Request webpage on our website.

General Information

Once my application is approved, what must I do to obtain my license?
Can I take the Oath of Admission after the ceremony is held?
Yes. If you are an exam applicant, you may take the oath of admission up to 18 months following the announcement of your bar results.
I am applying for admission in another jurisdiction That jurisdiction requires documentation from Colorado. How do I obtain those?
Does Colorado have conditional admission?
No.
I am suspended from the practice of law in another jurisdiction. Am I eligible to apply in Colorado?
I am disbarred in another jurisdiction; can I apply for admission in Colorado?

MPRE

What is the MPRE?
Who must take the MPRE?
Must I take the MPRE before I file my application?

Please reference Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE).

 

A valid MPRE score, or MPRE score waiver, is not required to SUBMIT your application. It is an admission requirement that must be met in order to take the Oath of Admission.

See C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2) regarding time limits for taking the oath of admission.

How long is my MPRE score valid?

See C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2) regarding time limits for taking the oath of admission.


How do I register for the MPRE?

Please reference NCBE's MPRE webpage for more information about the MPRE.


How do I send my MPRE score to you?

Please reference NCBE's MPRE webpage for more information about the MPRE.


Must I take the MPRE if I have been practicing law for several years and have never had any complaints filed against me?
I don’t remember my MPRE score. May I obtain the score from your office?

Please reference NCBE's MPRE webpage for more information about the MPRE.


On Motion

What are the eligibility requirements for admission On Motion?
Does Colorado share reciprocity with my jurisdiction?

Please reference Rules Governing Admissions


What if I don’t qualify for admission On Motion or by UBE Score Transfer?

If you do not qualify for admission On Motion or UBE Score Transfer, you will need to take the Colorado Bar Exam.

Please reference Rules Governing Admissions.

Please reference Bar Exam General Information.


How long will it take to process my On Motion application once it is submitted?

Please reference On Motion General Information

Am I eligible for admission On Motion if a previous Colorado application was not accepted?
Yes. If your application for admission On Motion is not accepted because you do not meet the requirements, you may reapply at any time in the future when you believe you have met those requirements.

Professionalism Course

What is the Professionalism Course requirement?

Please reference our Professionalism Course webpage.

Please reference C.R.C.P. 203.3(4) and 203.4(6).


When can I take the professionalism course?

Please reference our Professionalism Course webpage.

Please reference the CBA/CLE registration webpage to register.

I took the Professionalism Course and turned in my affidavit. Can I be admitted today?

It takes approximately 48 hours to process affidavits after a Professionalism Course has been given. 

 

Taking the Oath of Admission

How do I submit by Professionalism Course Affidavit?

Please reference our Professionalism Course webpage.

UBE Score Transfer

What is a UBE Score Transfer application?
How do I submit my UBE score to Colorado?

Please reference NCBE Score Services


What are the UBE Score Transfer Eligibility Requirements?
How do I transfer my UBE Score?
For instructions on transferring UBE scores, please refer to the NCBE website.
My UBE Score from another jurisdiction is more than three years old. Do I qualify to transfer my score?
How long will it take to process my UBE Score Transfer application once it is submitted?

Law Schools

As a Law School Representative, how can we provide copies of the Law School Graduation Certificate, Law School Application, and/or make a request for a Bar Exam Report?

As a law school representative, you may upload electronic copies in PDF or MS Word to our Law School Document Portal. This Portal is for Law School Representatives only. Our Office will accept electronic signatures and seals on the school documents. To the extent possible, if making an additional request for information from our office, please upload the request in electronic form through this portal on school letterhead. Law School Document Submission Portal.