You may have some questions about your Florida Bar application and we can help. On this page we will provide information about the Florida Bar, applying to the Florida Bar, recent pass rates for The Florida Bar and more.
What Is The Florida Bar?
The Florida Bar has a couple different meanings:
It’s a term used to refer to all members that are approved by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners to practice law in the state of Florida, and it’s the name of the agency that regulates Florida attorneys after their admission.
What is the Florida Board of Bar Examiners?
The Florida Board of Bar Examiners is an agency of Florida’s Supreme Court that determines and regulates Bar admission. It’s the agency with which you interact before becoming admitted to The Florida Bar.
NOTE: Rule 5-14 Board Jurisdiction after Admission. If, within 12 months of admission of an applicant to The Florida Bar, the board determines that a material misstatement or material omission in the application process of the applicant may have occurred, the board may conduct an investigation and hold hearings. After investigation and hearings, the board may make Findings and recommendations as to revocation of any license issued to the applicant and will file any Findings with the Supreme Court of Florida for final determination by the court.
Here’s a case that talks about the nightmare of a newly-admitted applicant’s license getting revoked: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-supreme-court/1649967.html
These two agencies are completely separate. It often happens, but their names are not interchangeable.
When Should I Apply To The Florida Bar?
In Florida a law student must finish the requirements for graduation from an ADA-accredited law school prior to applying to The Florida Bar. However, you can take your Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) prior to graduation.
Registeration Deadlines for the Florida Bar Exam
Apply to take the February exam by November 15th (postmarked on or before). Submissions will be accepted through the filing deadline of January 15th, but are then charged a late fee.
Apply to take the July exam by May 1st (postmarked on or before). Submissions will be accepted through the filing deadline of June 15th, but are then charged a late fee.
What Is The First Time Passage Rate For the Florida Bar?
The acceptance rate to The Florida Bar was 54.7% in February 2023. Out of 678 first time applicants, 371 passed. Florida International University College of Law, Florida State University College of Law, and University of Florida College, have the highest pass rates with 72.2%, 66.7%, and 70.8% respectively.
What Are The Basic Eligibility Requirements To Become A Florida Lawyer?
You must:
- Be 18 years of age to apply for The Florida Bar.
- Be enrolled in, or graduated from, an ABA-accredited law school and preparing to become a lawyer or already hold a law license from another state, or be found educationally qualified by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners under the Alternative Method of Educational Qualification rule.
- Offer evidence of good moral character.
- Pass the Florida Bar examination.
- Show that you understand the principles of law and how to apply these principles
- Demonstrate that you have the capability to think accurately and logically to analyze legal issues.
- Show that you will meet deadlines, communicate appropriately with clients, lawyers, judges, etc, be honest and trustworthy in all dealings, behave appropriately, avoid negatively impacting the rights and welfare of others, and avoid committing illegal, fraudulent, or deceitful acts.
- Comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct
- Pay required application fees.
Are Fingerprints Sent Electronically To Florida Bar Or With Application?
Fingerprints must be scanned by IdentoGO and sent electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Florida Board Of Bar Examiners can be notified directly from IdentoGo or with an applicant’s receipt when this process is completed.