Notices
Military Spouse Provisional Admission - Amended Rule 1A:8
Supreme Court of Virginia Rule 1A:8 Military Spouse Provisional Admission has been amended effective March 4, 2024.
Click here for additional information.
Timeline Extended for Accepting MPRE Scores
To be licensed in Virginia, all bar exam applicants must obtain a Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) score of 85 or greater. The Board has extended the timeline for accepting a passing MPRE score. The Board will now accept MPRE scores of 85 or greater that were obtained at any time before the applicant's passing Virginia bar exam score expires. Passing Virginia bar exam scores expire 5 years from the date of the exam. Rules
Third-year law students may take the February 2023 Virginia Bar Exam
The Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners have been amended pursuant to changes to Section 54.1-3926 of the Code of Virginia, effective July 1, 2022. See Section II.A and Section IV.E.1. Beginning with the February 2023 Virginia Bar Exam, an applicant who has "[s]atisfactorily completed legal studies amounting to at least five semesters, or the equivalent of at least five semesters on a system other than a semester system, of full-time study at a law school approved by the American Bar Association or the Board" will be eligible to take the Virginia bar exam. If you have questions about whether you meet these educational requirements, please contact your law school.
Admission Without Examination - Amended Rule 1A:1
Regulations Governing Applications for Admission to the Virginia State Bar Pursuant to Rule of the Supreme Court of Virginia 1A:1 has been amended effective November 12, 2023 as follows:
THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS:
3. Requirement of Minimum Current Practice. An applicant may apply for admission without examination only if the applicant has been engaged in the full-time practice of law for at least three of the last five years immediately preceding his or her application for admission to the Virginia State Bar. Except as provided in Threshold Requirement 4 below, the applicant must have been licensed to engage in the practice of law in the jurisdiction where such practice occurred. Practice from an office located in a foreign country will not be accepted as qualifying practice unless it is the full-time practice of the law of the United States and/or any of its states and territories. Persons holding a Virginia Corporate Counsel Certificate under Part I of Rule 1A:5 may receive credit as provided in such Rule. Persons holding a Virginia Legal Aid Counsel Certificate under Rule 1A:9 may receive credit as provided in such Rule.Click here for additional information.
Virginia Legal Aid Counsel - Amended Rule 1A:9
Supreme Court of Virginia Rule 1A:9 has been amended effective March 7, 2023. Rule 1A:9 allows licensed attorneys seeking employment with a Virginia Legal Aid Society to be admitted in Virginia.
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Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (VJLAP)
If you feel overwhelmed and want to talk, the Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (VJLAP) is there for you. The Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program is an independent non-profit organization which provides confidential, non-disciplinary assistance to lawyers, judges, law students, legal professionals, and their family members who experience impairment as a result of substance abuse and/or mental health conditions.
For more information, please contact VJLAP at info@vjlap.org or 877-545-4682 (24/7). Services are complimentary, confidential and non-disciplinary.
VSB Award
Virginia State Bar Corporate Counsel Section will present a monetary award to an exam taker aiming for a career as in-house counsel. Click here for information on how to apply.