General

Phone Number

804-367-0412

Email Address

email@barexam.virginia.gov

Diploma Privilege

No

Prelegal education requirements

No, but see the legal education requirements. Code of Virginia § 54.1-3926.

Legal education requirements

There are several different options for meeting the education requirements. Code of Virginia: § 54.1-3926. Before an applicant will be permitted to take the bar exam, the applicant must furnish to the Board satisfactory evidence of required education (for instance, completing 5 semesters or equivalent of full-time study at a law school approved by the ABA or the Board; receiving a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a DOE accredited institution of higher learning and studying law for three years; etc. ). See also the Virginia Law Reader Program (alternative option for training under the supervision of a Virgina attorney rather than attending law school).

Registration requirements, if applicable.

N/A

Registration fee, if applicable.

N/A

Limit on attempts?

5, with possibility to obtain permission for additional attempts. See § 54.1-3930 of the Code of Virginia.

Fee(s)

$575 for original application; $575 for re-application; $275 for update of a previously filed application (for those who are eligible to carry forward from the previous exam)

Are laptops allowed/required?

Allowed through the "Laptop Program" for use on the essay portion of the Virginia Bar Exam

Laptop fee?

$175 during the initial registration period; late registration (available after the 10th day and until the end of the month registration began) is an additional $50

Is courtesy seating allowed?

No

Transfer fee?

$50 for MBE Score Transfer Request

Day-of Testing Procedures

An applicant testing at a Pearson VUE testing center must present a government-issued primary ID and a secondary ID. The primary ID must include a first and last name, recent recognizable photo, and signature. The secondary ID must include at least a first and last name and signature or first and last name and recent recognizable photo. The first and last name used to register must match exactly both IDs presented on test day. Any name corrections must be submitted through the NCBE Account Dashboard at least 48 hours before the first day of the test administration. Before entering the test room, Pearson VUE will collect a digital photograph and digital signature to verify identity. The applicant must consent to the NCBE Candidate Rules Agreement, which in part requires that if the applicant uses the restroom during testing, they must use “the restroom that is closest to the testing room” and pat themselves down (arms, legs, waistline) when leaving and re-entering the testing room. Applicants must also pat themselves down before entering the test room for the first time.

What security measures can applicants expect? Metal detectors? Bag search?

All applicants taking the Virginia Bar Exam will be subject to security screening and ID verification before entering the testing facility/area and upon reentry if you exit the building at lunch. If you refuse to submit to such screenings, you will be denied entrance and/or disqualified from the exam. Any items brought into the exam room, including your laptop, are subject to search. Only the following items are allowed in the exam room. If an item is not on this list, you may not bring it into the exam room without prior written permission from the Board. Other than your laptop, ALL items MUST be packaged in a clear (see-through) plastic bag so Board staff can easily see all items.