2.  Where do I find information about the MPRE?

3. How will I be admitted to the examination?

The first week of the month of the exam you will receive an admission certificate. Applicants receiving special accommodations usually receive their tickets the second week of the month of the exam. You must have this document in order to be admitted to the exam.
  

If the other state accepts transfer of MBE scores from exams administered in Michigan, a passing MBE score obtained within three years might transfer from that state. In the case of states that accept transfers from "concurrent examinations only," a transfer only from a concurrent examination will be accepted. The applicant is still required to sit for the essay portion of the Michigan examination and must achieve a passing score as determined by a combination of the scores of the two portions of the examination. See MCL 600.934(3). The necessary form can be downloaded from the State Bar of Michigan's website: http://www.michbar.org/professional/pdfs/F1.pdf. 
 
In addition to having the other jurisdiction certify the information to the Board, the applicant must also notify the Board of Law Examiners (not the State Bar of Michigan) by letter—fax and email are not accepted—to the Board of Law Examiners, P.O. Box 30104, Lansing, MI 48909, of the applicant’s intent to transfer his or her MBE score, no later than May 15 for the July examination and December 15 for the February examination.  This written notice of intent to transfer an MBE score is a necessary precondition to perfect the applicant’s right to transfer an MBE score to Michigan.
 

6. Are special exam accommodations available for those with disabilities or medical conditions?

Special accommodations are available on a showing that the applicant has a disability or medical condition warranting such accommodations. The Board employs the Americans With Disabilities Act standard, i.e., that a person is disabled if that individual has "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual." See Gonzales v National Board of Medical Examiners , 225 F3d 620 (CA 6, 2000). A "Special Accommodations Questionnaire and Affidavit" is available from the Board. The request must be filed not later than May 15 for the July examination and not later than December 15 for the February examination.
 

The passing score is currently 75.  Beginning with the July 2009 bar examination, applicants taking the examination as first-time takers must receive a scaled score of 85.  That score is valid indefinitely.  For applicants taking the July 2009 bar examination as a re-examinee or as a transferee from a prior exam, the passing scaled score will remain at 75.  If such a re-examinee or transferee fails the July 2009 examination, the passing scaled MPRE score will remain at 75.
 

The bar examination is offered twice a year, on the final Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. An application must be filed by November 1 for the February examination, or March 1 for the July examination. Late applications will be accepted until December 15 for the February examination, or May 15 for the July examination. Late applications must be accompanied by an additional $100 fee. A Bar Applicant Kit containing forms and instructions may be obtained from the State Bar of Michigan, 306 Townsend Street , Lansing , MI 48933 , Telephone (517)346-6343. For further information, please see the State Bar of Michigan Web site: Go There Now>>
 

9.  If I apply to take an exam but need or want to delay taking it, what should I do?

As soon as you decide to delay taking the exam, notify the Board of Law Examiners in writing. You may transfer your application to a future exam. Fees already paid are not refunded. There will be an additional transfer fee when you reapply. That fee is currently $100.
 

11.  Can I get a copy of my answers to the essay questions?

12.  When are the examination results released?

Examination results are generally released in mid-November for the July exam and mid-May for the February exam. Results are not given out over the telephone, so please do not call to inquire about your results.
 

13.  What happens if I fail the bar examination?

If you fail the exam, you will receive with your results information describing the appeal process and the applicable deadlines. Read this information carefully. An application for re-examination will also be included with your results. A re-application fee of $200 is charged. Applications for re-examination must be filed at least sixty (60) days before the examination. If you failed the examination, you may send a written request for copies of your answers. The cost is $20 (money order or certified funds). With those answers you will also receive a copy of the questions and model answers. Pursuant to Board of Law Examiners Rule 4, if the applicant's character and fitness clearance is more than three years old, the applicant must again be approved by the State Bar Committee on Character and Fitness.
   

15.  What is the format of the Michigan bar examination?

Pursuant to Board of Law Examiners Rule 3, the examination consists of the Multistate Bar Examination prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and administered on dates and under regulations set by the Conference. The second portion of the exam consists of 15 essay questions prepared by or under the supervision of the Board or by law professors selected by the Board, on these subjects:
(a) Real and Personal Property
(b) Wills and Trusts
(c) Contracts
(d) Constitutional Law
(e) Criminal Law and Procedure
(f) Corporations, Partnerships, and Agency
(g) Evidence
(h) Creditor's Rights, including mortgages, garnishments and attachments
(i) Practice and Procedure, trial and appellate, state and federal
(j) Equity
(k) Torts (including no-fault)
(l) The sales, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions articles of the Uniform Commercial Code
(m) Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct
(n) Domestic Relations
(o) Conflicts of Laws
(p)Worker's Compensation

16.  How are scores calculated?

Each essay question has 10 possible points for a total of 150 possible points. There are 200 possible points on the Multistate portion. A combined score of 135 or above is necessary to pass the exam using the following formula:

Combined score = [4/3 (essay total) + MBE score] / 2

17.  Can I use my laptop computer to take the essay examination?

18.  Can I type the essay examination?

Yes. You may type your answers to the essay examination by notifying the Board in writing of your desire to do so. You will receive an information packet prior to the exam discussing the proper procedure. The use of laptop computers or word processors is not permitted.

The Board makes no recommendation regarding bar review courses.
 

20.  If I fail, can I review the MBE questions and answers?

No, but you can be given a breakdown on how you performed on each area of law.
Requests should be made in writing. Include the date of the examination and your seat number.    
 

Questions About Character and Fitness

23.  If the Board rejects my application on character and fitness grounds, when may I re-apply?

24.  Where should I inquire about the character and fitness process?

Questions about the character and fitness process should be directed to the State Bar of Michigan at (517) 367-6510 or 346-6300.
 

25.  How long is my character and fitness clearance valid?

Unless new information is received, your clearance is valid for three years.
 

26.  Is it permitted, if necessary, to take the bar examination more than once if my approval as to character and fitness and/or my MPRE requirement has not been fulfilled?  

No. The Board is not required by the rules to permit anyone to sit for an examination pending the fulfillment of those requirements. As a matter of grace the Board has permitted applicants to sit for one and only one examination pending character and fitness and MPRE clearances.
    

Questions About Admission to the Bar

27.  Must an applicant be a U.S. citizen or resident in order to be certified for admission?

28.  I have been classified as an inactive member of the State Bar for more than 3 years. What role does the Board play in my return to active practice?

29.  I have a law degree from a school not approved by the ABA but I have an LLM from an ABA-approved law school. Is that sufficient to allow me to sit for the Michigan bar examination?

No. Board of Law Examiners Rule 2, inter alia , requires applicants to have a J.D. from a reputable and qualified law school incorporated in the United States or its territories.
 

30.  Once I pass the examination and am certified for admission, what do I have to do to be permitted to practice law in Michigan ?

31.  When will I get my bar number and membership card?

After you have applied for membership in the State Bar of Michigan and paid the required dues, you will receive by return mail a membership card bearing your license number.
  

32.  Can an attorney from another state be admitted without taking the bar examination?

The State of Michigan permits admission on motion, without examination. To determine if you qualify for admission on motion, please read carefully the requirements of Rule 5 , noting particularly the practice requirements.  For further information and the application materials, go to http://courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt/BdofLawExaminers/Waiver.htm
 

33.  Is there an abbreviated attorneys exam for those who are attorneys but do not meet the requirements of Board of Law Examiners Rule 5?

No.  
 

Miscellaneous Questions

34.  How much are bar dues?

Contact the State Bar of Michigan at 517-346-6300.
 

35.  How do I change my address with the Board?

Send the change of address in writing to the Board of Law Examiners at P.O. Box 30104,  Lansing, MI 48909. Once you have been admitted to practice, send changes of address to the State Bar of Michigan, 306 Townsend Street, Lansing, Michigan 48933-2083.