NOTICE: February 1, 2008 FBI BACKGROUND CHECKS

As part of applying for admission to the Utah Bar, applicants must obtain and include with their application a criminal background check from the FBI.

The processing time for a background check may vary from 4 to 20 weeks, depending on the volume of requests and FBI workload at any given time.

Per the FBI, it is currently taking 4 to 6 weeks to process and return these requests. 

 Section A4(e) or Section H of the Filing Instructions includes an expedite process to try and improve the timeframe to have your report back within 2 to 3 weeks.

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Welcome to the Utah State Bar Office of Admissions. The Office of Bar Admissions administers the design and grading of the bar exam, processes applications, and coordinates the character and fitness reviews of all applicants. The Office of Bar Admissions is also responsible for managing the Admission by Motion and House Counsel admission process for attorneys that meet the required standards for that type of admission.

There are two bar exams each year, in February and July. Admissions requirements are described in detail in the Rules Governing Admission to the Utah State Bar and include:

• Graduation from an ABA approved Law School >>
• Approval by the Character & Fitness Committee
• Passing Scores on the Utah Bar Examination and the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

The July 2008 Bar Examination will be on the 29th and 30th.

The February 2009 Bar Examination will be on the 24th and 25th.

FILING DEADLINES.

NOTICE: It may take 16 weeks or longer to obtain all required documents for this application. Please plan accordingly in order to meet the filing deadline.

FEBRUARY EXAMINATIONS:

• Application filing deadline date - October 1
• Late filing deadline date - October 15 (include a $100 late fee)
• Final filing deadline date - November 1 (include a $300 late fee)

JULY EXAMINATIONS (below dates are not for July 2008 due to calendaring):

• Application filing deadline date - March 1
• Late filing deadline date - March 15 (include a $100 late fee)
• Final filing deadline date - April 1 (include a $300 late fee)

Applications for Admission by Motion can be submitted at any time. However, admission to the Utah State Bar is limited to three motions for admission per year; February, May and October. It may take 16 weeks or longer to obtain all required documents for this application. In addition, please allow for a minimum of 3 months for the Bar to process your completed application.

For more information on the Admissions process you may visit any of the resources listed to the side or you may contact the Office of Admissions by calling (801) 257-5518 or by e-mail sent to admissions@utahbar.org