Florida Bar Exam Information

With over 100,000 members, the Florida Bar Association is tasked with regulating the practice of law and ensuring high standards of professionalism are adhered to in the state of Florida. One of the ways that the Bar Association protects the public from unqualified attorneys is by administering the Florida Bar Exam. This exam is usually offered twice a year and must be passed by any individual wishing to practice law in Florida, even if they already hold a membership in a different jurisdiction.

Exam Dates:Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023
Exam Type:Two-day Exam
Location:Tampa Convention Center
Application Fee:$600
On-Motion Application Fee:N/A
Filing Deadline:Nov 15th, 2022
Late Filing Deadline:Dec 15th, 2022
Late Fee:$325-$625

When is the 2023 Florida Bar Exam?

The next Florida Bar Exam is scheduled to be administered on Feb 21st & 22nd, 2022 at the Tampa Convention Center. The final deadline for applications is Jan 15th. Refer to the COVID-19 section of their website to stay up to date on current scheduling info.

The Florida Bar Exam consists of two sections administered over the course of the two day testing period. Part A consists of essay questions and multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of general law and Florida law. Part B is the multiple-choice portion of the Multistate Bar Exam created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Where is the Florida Bar Exam Located?

The Florida Bar Exam is administered at the Tampa Convention Center, located at 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602. Applicants from more distant areas of Florida have lots of hotel and transportation options in the surrounding area.

How much does the Florida Bar Exam cost?

The fee for recent law school graduates who wish to sit for the Florida Bar Exam is $600. There is a late fee of up to $625 assessed depending on how close to the June 15th deadline an application is received. Lawyers from other states who wish to join the Florida Bar Association must pay between $1,500 and $3,000 to sit for the exam, depending on how long they have been practicing.

What subjects are tested on the Florida Bar Exam?

Subjects tested on the Florida Bar Exam Include Florida constitutional law, federal constitutional law, criminal law and constitutional criminal procedure, contracts, Articles 3 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, family law, trusts, business entities, real property, evidence, torts, wills & administration of estates, chapters 4 & 5 of the rules regulating the Florida bar, and professionalism.

What is the format of the Florida Bar Exam?

The Florida Bar Exam is administered in two parts.

Day #1 is a General Bar Examination that was created by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. This portion of the test contains a mix of general law as well as Florida law. In instances where Florida law is different than general law, Florida law must be used.

Day #2 is a multiple-choice Multistate Bar Exam.

What is the minimum MPRE score needed to take the Florida Bar exam?

While not required to sit for the test, applicants must achieve a scaled score of 80 or better on the MPRE within 25 months of passing the Bar exam in order to be admitted to the Florida Bar Association.

How is the Florida Bar Exam Graded?

Each of the two sections of the Florida Bar Exam accounts for half of the final score. A total scaled score of 272 out of a possible 400 is required in order to pass.

When are the Florida Bar scores released?

Results for the next Florida Bar Exam are posted on the Florida Supreme Court’s website approximately two months after the exam is administered. Applicants can see pass/fail results about a week before more detailed results become available.

Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?

Provided they are sent directly from the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the Florida Bar Association will accept recent MBE scores from other states.

What is the Florida Reciprocity Agreement like?

Florida does not have reciprocity with any other states. All lawyers wishing to practice law in Florida must submit to the Florida Bar Exam and complete the same character and fitness investigation as recent law school graduates.

How can I contact the Florida State Bar?

The Florida State Board of Bar Examiners can be reached during business hours by calling (850) 487-1292. They can also be reached by mail at 1891 Eider Court Tallahassee, FL 32399.

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