1. Educational requirements - bar examination, admission without examination and authorized house counsel

Educational qualifications to take the bar examination.  To qualify to take the bar examination you must have a JD from a law school approved by the Bar Examining Committee.  All ABA-approved law schools are also approved by the Committee.  In addition, the Committee has approved the Massachusetts School of Law and the Southern New England School of Law. Foreign law degrees, non-approved law degrees or LLM degrees do not qualify.  (An exam applicant who (1) has been admitted in another state, DC, Puerto Rico or a US District Court for at least 10 years, AND (2) has actually practiced law in that jurisdiction for five of the last seven years, AND (3)  intends actively to practice law in Connecticut AND (4) intends to devote the major portion of the applicants working time to the practice of law in Connecticut may sit for the bar examination without meeting these educational qualifications.)

Educational qualification for admission without examination.  All applicants for admission without examination must have a JD from a law school approved by the Bar Examining Committee. All ABA-approved law schools are also approved by the Committee.  In addition, the Committee has approved the Massachusetts School of Law and the Southern New England School of Law. Foreign law degrees, non-approved law degrees or LLM degrees do not qualify.

Educational qualification for registration as an authorized house counsel.  All applicants for registration as an authorized house counsel must have a JD from a law school approved by the Bar Examining Committee. All ABA-approved law schools are also approved by the Committee.  In addition, the Committee has approved the Massachusetts School of Law and the Southern New England School of Law. Foreign law degrees, non-approved law degrees or LLM degrees do not qualify.

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2. How do I satisfy the Professional Responsibility requirement?
A scaled score of 80 is required on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Register for the MPRE here. In lieu of the MPRE, the requirement may be satisfied with a grade of C or better in a course in professional responsibility at a law school approved by the Committee. CLE courses and law school courses with a professional responsibility "component" do not meet the requirement. The requirement must be fulfilled before a candidate can be recommended for admission. The requirement must be fulfilled within four years of the date the applicant files for admission. If, for example, an application is filed on November 1^st 2005, a valid course or MPRE score must be no older than November 1^st 2001. But that same candidate would have only until November 1^st 2006 to meet the requirement. After that date the candidate would have to retake the bar examination.

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3. Can I take the admission oaths outside of Connecticut?
The court’s rules do not permit you to be sworn in by anyone other than a judge in Connecticut.

4. Where can I find out if someone is licensed as an attorney in Connecticut?
Connecticut attorney look-up service.

5. How do I find a lawyer who can help me with my specific legal problem?
Connecticut Bar Association’s lawyer referral service.

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6. Where do I get a certificate of good standing?
Certificates of good standing are available for $10.00 from either the:

7. After I have been admitted to the bar, when will I receive my juris number and when can I begin to practice law?
Approximately 15 days after the Statewide Grievance Committee is notified by the clerk of the court where your swearing-in took place, you will receive a notice containing your juris number. You need this number to file an appearance in court, but you are otherwise able to practice law immediately after you have been sworn in as an attorney in Connecticut.

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8. When can I use “Attorney” or “Esq.” with my name? 
The Statewide Grievance Committee has held that the use of the title “Attorney” or “Esq.”, or any similar title, by one not admitted to the Connecticut bar may constitute a violation of C.G.S. §51-88. Generally unless you are admitted to the Connecticut bar, you should not use the title “Attorney” or "Esq.”

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9. How do I contact the Bar Examining Committee?
You can reach the Committee at this address:

11. U.S. Driving Record Repositories  (PDF)

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13. Criminal History Record Repositories  (PDF)