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Board of Bar Examiners

of the Supreme Court of Delaware

Board of Bar Examiners

of the Supreme Court of Delaware

Frequently Asked Questions

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Answer: Delaware administers the Bar Exam the last Tuesday and Wednesday every February and July. Please see the Board’s website for details.

Answer: The Delaware Bar Examination is two full days. Tuesday consists of 4 Delaware Essay Questions and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). Wednesday consists of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).

Answer: The Essay Questions are designed to test your ability to:

  1. identify legal issues raised by a hypothetical fact pattern;
  2. apply the law to the fact pattern for the purpose of reaching a resolution;
  3. express an understanding of the fundamental legal principles relevant to the probable resolution of the issues raised by the fact pattern;
  4. present a reasoned analysis of the relevant issues in a clear, concise and well organized composition;
  5. separate relevant and irrelevant material from the fact pattern; and
  6. communicate effectively in writing.

Answer: Yes. To be admitted to the Delaware Bar, each Applicant must take and pass the Delaware Bar Examination, complete the Clerkship and Clerkship Checklist, and demonstrate their character and fitness to practice law. There are no different procedures for persons admitted in other jurisdictions.

Answer: The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is required in Delaware, and a scaled score of 85 is passing. Applicants must ensure that the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) reports their score to Delaware. Please refer to Board Rule 8 for the time periods in which the MPRE must be completed.

Answer:

Exam/Deadline Law School Graduate Attorney
February 2025 Exam
Early Filing Deadline November 5, 2024 $700 $800
Final Filing Deadline December 3, 2024 $900 $1,000
July 2025 Exam
Early Filing Deadline April 1, 2025 $700 $800
Final Filing Deadline May 6, 2025 $900 $1,000

Answer: The Application to Sit for the Delaware Bar Examination is located at the Board’s application website. The application general forms and instructions are located in the BBE Forms Library.

Answer: Applications for testing and/or administrative accommodations, with all documentation you are relying upon to support the accommodations requested, must be filed on or before the early filing deadline.

Answer: Yes. All applicants, including Rule 55 applicants, must be fingerprinted and submit State of Delaware and Federal Criminal History Reports. Instructions for Obtaining State of Delaware and Federal Criminal History Reports are on the Board's website.

Answer: Criminal history reports must be uploaded no later than September 1 for Applicants who take the July Bar Examination and April 1 for Applicants who take the February Bar Examination. Please review the instructions at the Board's website.

Answer: You should select a Preceptor as soon in your admission process as possible, but you must identify your Preceptor and upload the Preceptor First Certificate no later than September 1 for Applicants who take the July Bar Examination and April 1 for Applicants who take the February Bar Exam. Because your Preceptor is obligated to review your application, selecting a Preceptor early is beneficial to both the Applicant and the Preceptor.

Answer: A Preceptor can be any Delaware lawyer qualified under Board Rules 9 and 10 and Supreme Court Rule 52. Often, candidates select Preceptors from firms by whom they have been employed or other Lawyers or Judges for whom they worked or clerked. If you do not know any Delaware Lawyers who satisfy the applicable requirements, you can contact the Preceptor Bank to have one assigned. The Preceptor Bank information is located under the Resources tab What To Do if You Can't Find a Preceptor on Board's website.

Answer: You have until December 31 of the year following the year in which you pass the Bar Examination to be admitted to the Delaware Bar. If you need extra time due to extenuating circumstances, you may file a Petition for an Extension of Time Under Board Rule 53.

Answer: There is an Admission Ceremony in December for July Applicants, and June for February Applicants who have met all the admission requirements. Additional ceremonies are held throughout the year. Ceremonies are scheduled in accordance with the Court's calendar and only a Supreme Court Justice can swear in an Applicant.

Answer: Investigations are conducted for passing Applicants only. Once the Bar Exam results are posted, the investigations will begin. Each passing applicant will be assigned to a Board member who will investigate your application. The investigation includes a personal interview.

Answer: Determinations are on a case-by-case basis. The Board will look at the overall picture of an Applicant's background and situation. The Board does not issue advisory opinions on whether an Applicant may be unable to demonstrate character and fitness. Determinations are only made after the investigation is complete. Please refer to Character and Fitness Guidelines under Board's website Resources tab.

Answer: The Clerkship consists substantially of full-time service for at least 12 weeks duration, which period need not be continuous but which may not begin prior to matriculation at a Law School described in Supreme Court Rule 52(a)(5). A week means a forty-hour work week. The Clerkship must be completed in Delaware, under the supervision of a Delaware Attorney. Each Applicant must also complete a Clerkship Checklist. The Clerkship Checklist is available on the Board's website. Both the Clerkship and Clerkship Checklist must be satisfactorily completed before an Applicant can be admitted to the Bar.

Answer: Yes. The Pre-Admission Conference is mandatory for all passing Applicants. The conference is a session of the Court and attendance is a prerequisite to admission. Attendance at the Pre-Admission Conference is mandatory for anyone who passed the immediately preceding administration of the Bar Exam regardless of whether you intend to be admitted at the December or June admission ceremony. At the Pre-Admission Conference, you are also expected to Sign the Roll of Attorneys, remit payment for the Admission Fee, confirm the name of your Movant, and sit for a Professional Photograph. Professional attire is required.

Answer: Your admission to the bar may be moved by any Delaware attorney in good standing.




Board of Bar Examiners of the Supreme Court of Delaware
The Renaissance Centre
405 North King Street, Suite 500
Wilmington, DE 19801
ARMS_BBE@delaware.gov