Alabama Bar Exam Instructions
You must read these instructions carefully before accessing the standard Bar Exam Application. You should refer to these instructions during the application process if you have any questions. At the end of these instructions, you will certify that you have read and understand the instructions. This is also your certification that you understand that it is your responsibility alone to comply with the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar, these instructions, and any other requirements of the Alabama State Bar and that failure to do so may result in processing delay or denial of your application for admission.
Required Original Items
The items listed below are to be submitted by the applicant or a third party at the applicant's request, and should be submitted in their original hard copy format.
1. Bar Exam Application Paper Items Packet
2. Certificate of Graduation from the applicant’s law school
3. Undergraduate transcript (only applies to applicants who are graduates of non-ABA approved law schools)
4. Certificate of Good Standing from all jurisdictions in which the applicant is licensed or authorized to practice law
These items should be sent to the Admissions Office of the Alabama State Bar at the following address:
Alabama State Bar
Attn: Admissions Office
P.O. Box 671
Montgomery, AL 36101
Other Items
Throughout the application, you may be prompted to submit other items (i.e., court documents, proof of satisfied credit accounts or payment plans, documents from education institutions, documents from government agencies, score transcripts, medical records, etc.).
Unless you are directed otherwise, all items supplementing your application should be uploaded in digital format.
Note: Items submitted in conjunction with a previous application may not be required on a subsequent application. You should refer to your user account for the current application to see which items are still required.
Application Type & Fee
A series of questions will precede the Bar Exam Application. Your answers to these questions will determine the following:
1. Your eligibility to file a "Re-Application" in lieu of the standard Bar Exam Application;
2. The application fee for the type of application you are filing; and
3. Whether or not you are required to pay a separate additional fee to the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) for an NCBE character and fitness investigation.
The application fee and, if applicable, law student non-registration fee (See Rule I of the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar) will be calculated prior to beginning the application and payment (credit card or e-check) will be processed at the time the application is submitted. The application must be submitted and payment made by the deadline.
If an NCBE character and fitness investigation is required with your application, NCBE will determine the separate additional fee and collect payment directly from the applicant. For more information, visit the NCBE website.
Application Deadline
The following deadlines are applicable to the standard Bar Exam Application and the Bar Exam Re-Application*. These deadlines are set by the Supreme Court in the Rules Governing Admission to the Alabama State Bar (See Rule II.C.). The Alabama State Bar does not have the authority to grant any waiver or exception to the filing deadlines.
| Exam Month |
Application Period Opens |
Filing Deadline |
| February |
September 1 |
October 1 |
| July |
January 1 |
February 1 |
Note: Applicants who fail an administration of the bar examination will be given an opportunity to apply for the subsequent administration of the exam once results have been released. See Rule II.E.
All information and announcements are posted on the Alabama State Bar Admissions Website ("Admissions website") at https://admissions.alabar.org. You are expected to regularly visit the Admissions website to review the announcements and information posted there.
The Admissions Office corresponds with applicants primarily via the Admissions website. You should use an e-mail address that you can access after graduation from law school.
You are required to maintain a current e-mail address and mailing address on your personal Registration Account, and it is imperative that you regularly read all correspondence from the Admissions Office, whether sent electronically or by postal service.
It is your responsibility to ensure that e-mails from the Admissions Office are not filtered as SPAM and to add noreply@admissions.alabar.org to your e-mail address book.
NCBE Number
If you do not already have an NCBE number issued by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, you should request one online at http://www.ncbex.org/ncbe-number. "The NCBE number will be required to complete your application. An NCBE number is valid for any NCBE testing product administered in any jurisdiction.
Testing Accommodations
An applicant requesting special testing accommodations on the Alabama Bar Examination must complete the applicable special accommodations forms and submit them (with accompanying documentation from medical professional(s)) to the Admissions Office on or before the following deadlines:
| February Bar Examination |
November 1 |
| July Bar Examination |
April 1 |
The information supplied by the applicant on the special accommodations forms will be reviewed by a physician or licensed professional retained by the Board of Bar Examiners to assist in determining reasonable testing accommodations. The Board of Bar Examiners or a designated committee will make the final decision to grant, deny, or modify a request for reasonable testing accommodations.
Laptop Testing
Laptop Testing Option
Each applicant who is certified to take the Alabama Bar Examination will have the option to use a personal laptop computer to complete the essay portion of the exam. Examinees are responsible for providing their own laptop - the Alabama State Bar does not furnish laptops. ILG Exam360's Examplify software ("software") must be installed and registered on the computer. The software will be used to record the answers to the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
Laptop Testing Fee
The additional cost to use a personal laptop computer is $121.00, payable directly to ILG Exam360 upon registration. Testing on a personal laptop computer is optional.
The deadline for laptop registration (including payment of the required fee) will be provided in the email from ILG Exam360. If a late registration period is allowed, a late registration fee of $75.00 will apply.
Laptop Registration Process
Prior to each bar exam, an ILG Exam360 account will be activated for each applicant who has submitted an application for the upcoming administration of the bar exam. ILG Exam360 credentials are only valid for the exam in which they are issued.
An email notice will be sent from ILG Exam360 to the email address provided on the bar exam application. If an applicant's email address changes after the application is submitted, it is the applicant's responsibility to update the email address with the Admissions Office. ILG Exam360 should be included as a trusted sender of emails to avoid delay in receiving laptop registration instructions.
Notification that an ILG Exam360 account has been activated will be sent during the month of November for the February Bar Exam and during the month of May for the July Bar Exam.
Applicants who elect to use a personal laptop computer on the bar exam should follow the ILG Exam360 instructions for activating an account, downloading the software and exam files, and completing the Mock Exam.
Any questions or requests regarding laptop registration, technical issues with the software, and status of registration fee payments should be directed to ILG Exam360, using the "Support" feature of the ILG Exam360 website (www.ILG Exam360.com).