Court to Transition to New Bar Application System; Pending Applications Must Be Completed by April 15
March 09, 2021
On April 15 the D.C. Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions will be transitioning to a new system to process bar applications. Any applications that are currently open, or that will be submitted before the transition, must be completed by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on April 15. Applications not completed by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on April 15 will not be transferred to the new system.
The court’s new bar application system will go live on May 3. It will streamline the bar application process by consolidating into one place the submission of NCBE character and fitness questionnaire/supplemental documents and the creation of an account for filing and payment.
“The new system will transmit applicants’ data to NCBE to conduct the character and fitness investigation. The new system will also be more efficient for the Committee on Admissions to review applications, ultimately reducing the turnaround time and expediting certification of applications,” the court said. Applications will not be delayed as a result of the system transition because they are reviewable for certification only after completion of the NCBE investigation, which is unaffected by the disruption.
Bar applicants who wish to apply prior to April 15 must submit complete the NCBE character and fitness questionnaire/supplemental documents and submit payment in the current system. The court will not process any applications in the system that are not completed before 5:00 pm Eastern Time on April 15.
Between April 16 and May 2, applicants may submit character and fitness questionnaire/ supplemental documents to NCBE. When the new system is live on May 3, they may then create an account and submit payment.
D.C. bar applications are handled by the court’s Committee on Admissions, a separate and distinct entity from the D.C. Bar. Please direct any questions to the court at [email protected].
