Character & Fitness

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.  

Thomas Jefferson asks applicants to answer a series of character and fitness questions on the application. Students who provide an affirmative response to the character and fitness questions are required to submit an explanatory addendum with their application. Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event can lead to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful answers, or failure to inform the Office of Admissions of any changes to your answers in advance of matriculation or during school enrollment, may result in revocation of admission or disciplinary action by the School of Law, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek bar admission.

For more information about the California Bar Requirements, please visit: http://www.calbar.ca.gov.