California Bar - Related Fees
Students are urged to plan for the expense of taking the bar exam. Fees and costs will vary depending on the state in which you take the test. For students taking the California Bar Exam, you should plan on putting aside about $5,800, not including living expenses. Please note that fees escalate quickly if you miss the application deadlines.
| Description | Deadline | Regular Fee | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application for Registration with the California Bar Note: Registration with the State Bar is not the same as registering for the California Bar Exam. Registration with the Bar is required prior to: 1) obtaining certification to practice as a law student (required for most UCI Law clinics); 2) submitting the application for moral character; 3) submitting the application to take the Bar Exam. |
Register during the first year of law school. | $119 | None |
| MPRE Registration Test Dates:
|
January 26, 2023 (for March exam) June 8, 2023 (for August exam) September 12, 2023 (for November exam) |
$150 |
Late Registration Deadline TBD |
| Application for Moral Character Determination | The application is good for three (3) years. Students should plan to complete it in the Fall of their third year. | $551 | |
| Fingerprinting (required for Moral Character Application) • Helping Hands Live Scan (commercial company invited to campus) • UCI Police Department |
90 days prior to submission of Moral Character application | Varies | If Moral Character application is submitted more than 90 days after the fingerprints were taken, students must pay to have the prints re-taken. |
| Application to take the Bar Exam Registration typically opens in November for the February bar exam, and in March for the July bar exam. Some popular examination sites, such as San Diego, fill quickly. Applicants are encouraged to register early to ensure a spot in their preferred testing location. |
Please see registration deadlines on the State Bar website. | $667 |
|
| Laptop Fee | Due at same time as application to take the Bar Exam | $153 | Late fee of $15 applies if filed after the regular filing deadline |
| Bar Review Course | Varies by company | Varies by company, e.g.: Themis Bar Review is $2,695 Kaplan Bar Review is $2,299 - 3,999 BARBRI is $3,299 |
Varies by company. |
| Additional Expenses (summer living expenses; travel, hotel food during Bar Exam) Set aside funds to cover living expenses during the summer, and, depending on your circumstances, staying at a hotel during the Bar Exam. Rate information for hotels near test centers is available on the State Bar Web site. Please note the hotels have cut-off dates for reserving rooms at these special rates. |
Varies | Varies | Higher room rates may apply at a certain date. Confirm with hotels the cut-off dates for special rates. |