The State Board of Law Examiners (BLE) was created by the Michigan Legislature to oversee the investigation and examination of persons who apply for admission to the State Bar. The BLE administers the Michigan Bar Examination twice a year, in February and July, and then releases the exam results. The office also processes applications for recertification from attorneys who have been on inactive status for more than three years and wish to resume active practice in Michigan. Board members are nominated by the Supreme Court and appointed by the Governor for five-year terms. The Clerk of the Supreme Court is the assistant secretary and treasurer.
NEWS
July Examinees: The February 2018 Essay Questions and Examiners' Analyses are now posted on the Admission to the Bar page (right column).
ATTENTION: Admission Without Examination applicants. Effective July 1, 2018, the NCBE fee for the preparation of the Character Report will increase from $450 to $500.
New Requirements for
Bar Exam Essay Appeals
Appeal instructions are sent with the exam results of unsuccessful applicants. Please note that the Board is implementing additional requirements for those filing an appeal of their essay exam bar results. The instructions have been updated to include the following information:
An appeal of an essay question score shall total no more than five pages per each question. The appeal must lead with the score received for the question and the score the appellant is seeking. Do not restate the question and the facts. Any appeal of a question exceeding the five page limit will be rejected.
Appeals must adhere to MCR 7.212(B) Form of Briefs for font size, margins, and spacing. Quotations and footnotes may be single spaced, however, excessive use of footnotes should not be used in an attempt to circumvent the page limit. The only appendices permitted are the applicant’s original essay answer and the typed answer if the original was handwritten. Any appeal of a question not conforming to these requirements will be rejected.
Bar Examination Essay Topics
Examinees must be knowledgeable about all essay topics listed
in Board of Law Examiners Rule 3. The
Board may test on any of these areas of Michigan law.
BLE Announces Improved Scoring System for Michigan Bar Examination
Summary: Improving Michigan Bar Examination Scoring System (pdf)
The new system best ensures the examination’s validity and reliability across administrations by providing for a more accurate determination of whether applicants have demonstrated a specified level of competence in Michigan law necessary for the protection of the public.
RESOURCES