Mercer > Requirements

Application requirements

Deadline

Jun 1, 2026

Recommendations

2 to 4

Updated for 2025-2026 application cycle

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. Visit www.ncbex.org.

Please take your time and answer these questions carefully. Each question must be answered yes or no before your application will be processed.

If your answer is yes to any of the following questions, you must provide a complete explanation. Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event such as the ones described below is often more significant and leads to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful or complete answers or failure to inform the Admissions Office of any changes to answers may result in denial of admission, revocation of admission or disciplinary action by the Law School, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission.

In accordance with standard requirements for bar admission, you must disclose each instance even though the charges may have been dismissed or you were acquitted or allowed to plead nolo condendere or adjudication was withheld or a conviction was reversed, set aside, or vacated or the record sealed or expunged regardless of whether you have been told by anyone, including a judge or a lawyer, that you need not disclose any such instance.

In addition to the character and fitness requirements listed above, any conduct or behavior that could call into question your ability to practice law in a competent, ethical, and professional manner, including the inappropriate use of social media, may result in denial or revocation of admission.

Have you ever been detained, arrested, formally accused, cited, or prosecuted for the violation of any law (excluding traffic offenses)?
Has your driver's license ever been suspended or revoked? Have you ever been charged with or cited for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
Excluding parking violations, have you been cited or charged with more than five traffic violations within the past five years (including violations to which you were allowed to enter a "nolo contendere" plea)?
Have you ever been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on scholastic or disciplinary probation, expelled, or requested to resign from any college, university, or law school, or otherwise subjected to discipline by any such institution, or requested or advised by any such institution to discontinue your studies therein? Please review all transcripts before answering.
Have you ever been formally charged with plagiarism, cheating, lying, or otherwise taking unfair advantage of fellow students at any college, university, or law school you attended or are presently attending?
Regardless of whether the record has been expunged, cancelled, or annulled, or whether no record was made, have you ever been subject to proceedings before a school honor court or council (or any similar body?)
Excluding a license to practice law, have you ever applied for a state or local license in order to pursue a career, such as real estate license, a professional license, etc.?

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