In California, the process of determining someone's moral character normally takes six to nine months. But there are a number of variables that could affect the timing. The application procedure might go more rapidly if the applicant has a clear background.
Applicants who are already licensed to practice law in another state or jurisdiction must register as an attorney applicant, complete a positive moral character determination and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination as well as the California Bar Examination.
For the State Bar of California, the moral character review process takes several months and examines past conduct to ascertain whether the applicant is honest, fair, trustworthy, observes fiduciary responsibilities, is financially responsible and respects the rights of others and the judicial process.
"Good moral character" includes but is not limited to qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibility, respect for and obedience to the law, and respect for the rights of others and the judicial process.
Applicants are encouraged to submit a moral character application at the beginning of the last year of law study or at least eight to 10 months prior to the date they wish to be admitted to practice law in California.
Some states, including California, Massachusetts and New Jersey, complete this process as part of the application to take the bar examination; other states, such as New York, wait until after the bar examination.
California was one of the first states to unify its bar (1927). A unified, or integrated bar, means simply that membership is mandatory for all attorneys who are licensed to practice law in the state.
Is The California Bar Exam Hard? Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.
The Committee of Bar Examiners reduced the passing score from 1440 points to 1390 points. Even with this lowering of a passing score, the California Bar Exam remains an incredibly difficult test. For example, in February 2021, only approximately 37% of all test-takers passed the California Bar Exam.
Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.