Early Bar Exam Preparation

There are many factors involved in success on the bar exam. While Florida State Law graduates enjoy consistently high bar passage rates, preparing for the bar exam is a serious and time-consuming business. It is never too early in your law school career to start preparing. We believe that there are specific steps you can take to maximize your probability of success on the bar exam.

• Familiarize yourself now with the format and subjects likely to be tested on the bar exam
• Take a close look at your class schedule to ensure that you are not trying to learn a number of these subjects for the first time during a bar prep course
• Start planning your bar preparation strategy now, including how future employment plans will impact your bar study time

The administration is available to assist students with academic advising and bar preparation.

Florida Bar Admission

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners oversees matters relating to admission of attorneys to the practice of law in the state of Florida. Two key parts of this admissions process are character fitness screening and the administration of the bar examination. The Florida Bar Exam is administered twice yearly by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners at the Tampa Convention Center. Students taking the bar in February must submit a completed application by November 15. Students taking the bar in July must have a completed application on file by May 1.

First-year students are encouraged to apply early to the bar to reduce the cost. Registration fees increase from the date a student begins law school.

Price based on law school enrollment date:
Within the first 180 days	$75
Between days 181-195	$100
Between 196-250 days	$200
After 250 days	$500

Third-year students who plan to seek admission to the Florida Bar should be aware of the following deadlines:

November 15 — February Bar Exam filing deadline

May 1 — July Bar Exam filing deadline

The Examination and Bar application forms are available for completion online at www.floridabarexam.org.

In order to practice law in the state of Florida, students are required to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in addition to the Florida Bar Exam. The MPRE is administered nationwide in March, August and November. Applications for the MPRE are available in the Admissions Office, Room 210.

Bar Prep Courses

Studying for the bar exam is a full-time job and you should plan to devote 40-plus hours per week studying for the bar exam. We strongly recommend that you do not work during this period so you can devote your full attention to bar exam preparation.

Every graduate preparing to sit for a state bar exam should consider enrolling in a bar prep course. This includes not merely signing up for the course, but diligently attending and preparing for the daily classes and doing the recommended practice questions and exams. There are a number of bar prep providers available to law students. Click here for a general listing of offerings to determine which company offers the best preparation plan for you.

Additional Resources

Bar Study Loans
Private bar study loans up to $11,000 may be available for graduating students preparing to take the bar exam. These loans help finance bar exam deposits and fees, bar prep courses, as well as living expenses while studying for the bar.  Bar study loan applications require school certification. Before you mail your application to the lender, bring it to Student Affairs Office at the law school so we can certify your graduation date. For more information regarding bar study loans, contact the Student Affairs Office at 850.644.7338.

Out-of-State Bar Exam and Admission Boards
Approximately 15% of our graduates sit for a bar exam in a state other than Florida. These other jurisdictions include Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Virginia and California.

Florida Bar Study Guides

FSU Law Library Resources