Exam Fees & Deadlines
Only applications for an exam have a filing deadline. Applications for the lawyer bar exam and the LPO exam are accepted beginning February 1 for the summer exam and September 1 for the winter exam.
Pay by credit card, debit card, electronic funds transfer or check made payable to the Washington State Bar Association. All bank card transactions are subject to a separate non-refundable transaction fee of 2.5%. There is no transaction fee for payments by electronic funds transfer or check.
In the event that any filing deadlines should fall on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, that deadline will be extended until the end of the next business day.
For exam applicants, payments by check must be received or postmarked by the application deadline. Payments received or postmarked after the first deadline will incur a late filing fee. Applications will not be accepted if payment is received or postmarked after the final deadline.
Late filing requires payment of a late filing fee as provided in the fee schedule below. No applications will be accepted after the late filing deadline except for applicants who failed the immediately preceding winter Washington exam and are applying for the following summer Washington exam; those applicants are not required to pay the late filing fee and the deadline will be May 5.
For all applicants, the application fee includes a non-refundable administrative processing fee as set forth below. An exam applicant must withdraw an application at least 18 days prior to the date of the examination for a partial refund. The partial refund policy applies to applications that are disqualified.
Administrative Fee (nonrefundable portion of application fee):
- Bar Exam Applicants .................................. $300
- LPO Applicants .......................................... $100
Lawyer Bar Exam Application Fees & Deadlines
| July Lawyer Bar Examination | Applications Accepted: Feb. 1 First Deadline: Received on or Before March 5 | Late Filing Deadline: Received on or Before April 5 | Failed the Immediately Preceding Winter WA Bar Exam, by May 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Applicant | $585 | $885 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $585 |
| General Applicant applying under APR 3(b)(4)(B) | $585 + additional NCBE Investigation fee | $885 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $585 |
| Attorney Applicant | $620 + additional NCBE Investigation fee | $920 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $620 |
| February Lawyer Bar Examination | Applications Accepted: Sept. 1 First Deadline: Received on or Before Oct. 5 | Late Filing Deadline: Received on or Before Nov. 5 | Failed the Immediately Preceding Summer WA Bar Exam, by Oct. 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Applicant | $585 | $885 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $585 |
| General Applicant applying under APR 3(b)(4)(B) | $585 + additional NCBE Investigation fee | $885 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $585 |
| Attorney Applicant | $620 + additional NCBE Investigation fee | $920 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $620 |
Applications for General Applicants applying under APR 3(b)(4)(B), and all Attorney Applicants are referred to the National Conference of Bar Examiners for verification and investigation of the information in the application. NCBE fees are set by the NCBE and are nonrefundable.
Applicants applying for an exam will not be allowed to sit for the exam if the Bar does not receive a report back from the NCBE at least 18 days prior to the first day of the exam; in that case, the application will be transferred to the next exam. Applicants may choose to withdraw from the exam and receive a partial refund if the request is made at least 18 days prior to the first day of the exam in lieu of transferring to the next exam.
NCBE reports are valid for one calendar year from the date the Bar receives the completed report from the NCBE, after which a supplemental or new NCBE report will be required. See the NCBE website for additional information: http://www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness/jurisdiction/wa.
Limited Practice Officer (LPO) Exam Application Fees & Deadlines
| July LPO Examination | Applications Accepted: Feb. 1 First Deadline: Received on or Before March 5 | Late Filing Deadline: Received on or Before April 5 | Failed the Immediately Preceding Winter WA LPO Exam, by May 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Applicant | $200 | $300 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $200 |
| February LPO Examination | Applications Accepted: Sept. 1 First Deadline: Received on or Before Oct. 5 | Late Filing Deadline: Received on or Before Nov. 5 | Failed the Immediately Preceding Summer WA LPO Exam, by Oct. 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Applicant | $200 | $300 (Application & Late Fee Total) | $200 |