Georgia Bar Exam Information
Tasked with enforcing the code of ethics required to practice law in the State of Georgia, the Georgia Bar Association has over 50,000 active members. The stated goals of the Association include duty and service to the public, improving the administration of justice, and advancing the science of the law in Georgia. Persons wishing to practice law in Georgia must have an active membership, but before being admitted to the Bar Association, applicants must pass the Georgia Bar Exam.
| Exam Dates: | Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023 |
| Exam Type: | Two-day Exam |
| Location: | Georgia International Convention Center |
| Application Fee: | $442 |
| On-Motion Application Fee: | $1,500 |
| Filing Deadline: | Jul 6, 2022 |
| Late Filing Deadline: | Oct 5, 2022 |
| Late Fee: | $200 |
When is the 2023 Georgia Bar Exam?
The 2023 Georgia Bar Exam is currently scheduled to be held on Feb 21st and 22nd at the Georgia International Convention Center. It is the first time that the exam will be offered in 2023. Visit the website for the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Office of Bar Admissions for the most current info.
There is a two-step process for being admitted to practice law in Georgia. First, you must apply for a “Certification of Fitness to Practice Law in Georgia.” and then pass the Bar Exam.
Where is the Georgia Bar Exam Located?
The Georgia Bar Exam is administered at the Georgia International Convention Center located at 2000 Convention Center Concourse, Atlanta, Georgia 30337. There are plenty of nearby hotels for applicants from out of town, and the convention center is connected to the nearby Hartsfield-Jackson Airport by a free tram.
How much does the Georgia Bar Exam cost?
Applying to sit for the Georgia Bar Exam costs $442. There is also a $200 late fee for applicants filing after June 3rd.
The fee for the required fitness certification ranges between $400 and $900 depending on how long ago the applicant graduated from law school.
The fee for experienced out of state attorneys filing for Admission on Motion to the Georgia Bar Association is $1,500, including the fitness certification.
What subjects are tested on the Georgia Bar Exam?
Georgia Practice and Procedure, Non-Monetary Remedies, Professional Ethics, Secured Transactions, Trusts, Commercial Paper, Family Law, Federal Practice and Procedure, Wills and Estates, Constitutional Law, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, Business Organizations, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure.
What is the format of the Georgia Bar Exam?
The Georgia Bar Exam consists of three parts, two of which use the Multistate Performance Test developed for national use. This includes the multiple-choice exam as well as the Multistate Performance Test created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The third portion of the test is an essay examination created by the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners and focuses on Georgia-specific laws.
What is the minimum MPRE score needed to take the Georgia Bar exam?
In order to qualify for the Georgia Bar Exam, applicants must have achieved a scaled score of 75 or greater on the MPRE. The Georgia Office of Bar Admissions does not accept MPRE scores submitted by applicants.
How is the Georgia Bar Exam Graded?
All sections of the Georgia Bar Exam are graded by the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners. 50% of the score is determined by the multiple-choice exam, the essay section counts for 30% of the overall score, and the remaining 20% is based on the performance exam.
When are the Georgia Bar scores released?
Each exam’s results are released about three or four months after the test date. The results for the upcoming July 2020 Georgia Bar Exam are scheduled to be posted on their website on Friday, October 23rd, 2020.
Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?
Recent graduates who wish to transfer their MBE scores from a recently taken exam can do so by applying to take a one-day attorney’s examination in Georgia. The fee for doing this is $710.
What is the Georgia Reciprocity Agreement like?
Lawyers who have actively practiced law in a different state for 5 of the past 7 years can apply to be admitted on Motion to the Georgia Bar. The fee for this is $1,500, including the necessary fitness application.
How can I contact the Georgia State Bar?
The Georgia State Bar Association can be reached by phone at 800-334-6865, via email using the contact form on their website, or through mail addressed to 104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30303.
Useful Links
- Georgia International Convention Center – Location of the 2020 Georgia Bar Exam. Information on parking and accommodations can be found here.
- Georgia’s Office of Bar Admissions – Registration forms and more information can be found here.
- National Conference of Bar Examiners – Additional info about the Multistate Bar Examination.