Bar Application Information

Qualifications for Admission to the Bar

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. (Statement required by ABA Standard 504)

Before Applying for the Bar

• Complete Steps 1-4 of the Graduation Checklist, emailed by the Registrar’s Office within the first two weeks of each semester. You must complete and officially graduate with a J.D. in order to sit for the Colorado bar examination. Do not miss this step!
• Visit the Graduation & Bar Week to see when certain vendors are coming to campus, including a fingerprinting service which is helpful for completing your fingerprint card for the bar exam application.

Watch the “Demystifying the Bar Exam” presentation given by DU Alumnae, Pat Mellen. This presentation gives you valuable information about what’s included on the bar exam, tips and tricks to success, and what you can be doing now in your legal education to best prepare.

• Download the PowerPoint: Demystifying_the_Bar_Final_Version.pdf
• Watch a recorded version of the presentation here: https://du-denverlaw.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=a7862f04-e81e-4a87-ad04-31e80ffaa762

Bar Application Website

The Office of Attorney Admissions under the Colorado Supreme Court processes applications for the Colorado bar and administers the Colorado bar exam. The application process and bar exam administration is entirely operated by the Office of Attorney Admissions. CLICK HERE for the COLORADO BAR EXAMINATION WEBSITE.

From this webpage, you can get information about the following:

• Important dates, including application deadlines
• Login for the Applicant Portal (the bar application is an online portal)
• Application instructions and bar exam information
• Fingerprint submission requirements
• National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) practice exams
• ADA testing accommodations
• And much, much more!

Application Assistance

The Office of Attorney Admissions is the only source that can address questions about filling out the application. Questions can be submitted through a messaging feature in your Applicant Portal.

Denver Law also hosts a Navigating the Bar Admissions Process presentation presented by the Colorado Office of Attorney Admissions. Check the Graduation & Bar Week webpage for information on the next presentation sessions.

Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP)

_{COLAP is the free and confidential well-being program for Colorado judges, lawyers, and law students. Law school can be stressful. Students may be dealing with mental health, substance use or addiction issues, or other career related struggles. COLAP’s overall mission is promote well-being, resiliency and competency by assisting our Colorado legal community with personal and professional issues that compromise their practice, efficacy, and quality of life. A confidential conversation with COLAP can be the beginning of a solution to the problem. For more information about the confidential program, call COLAP at 303-986-3345 or visit www.coloradolap.org.}

_{Bar Exam}

_{Students are also encouraged to seek help from the Colorado Lawyers Assistance Program (COLAP). The bar exam can be overwhelming; you might experience exam-related stress, or not know where to turn for information. COLAP is a free, independent, and confidential well-being resource for all Colorado judges, lawyers and law students. For more information about the confidential program, call COLAP at 303-986-3345 or visit www.coloradolap.org.}

_{Character and Fitness for Attorney Admissions}

_{Colorado Lawyers Assistance Program (COLAP)
Students are encouraged to seek help from COLAP. COLAP is an independent, free and confidential well-being resource for judges, lawyers and law students. The bar application can be overwhelming. While COLAP cannot give legal advice, they have experience working with bar applicants on the character and fitness portion of the bar application and with the stress that accompanies such issues. COLAP assists our Colorado legal community with personal and professional issues that compromise their practice, efficacy, and quality of life. For more information about the confidential program, call COLAP at 303-986-3345 or visit www.coloradolap.org.}

Commercial Bar Prep Courses

Barbri, Themis, and Kaplan are three commercial bar preparation courses that Denver Law provides space to table and enroll students throughout the school year for either the winter or summer bar prep courses. These courses typically run 8-10 weeks leading up to the bar exam. Contact your local representatives for information about their respective commercial bar prep courses.

DU Bar Success Program

The DU Bar Success Program is a free program exclusive to Denver Law graduates to assist with passing the bar exam. The course is designed to operate congruently with the commercial bar prep courses and gives excellent opportunities for practice with writing workshops and mock bar exams. Visit the DU Bar Success Program website or contact Prof. Scott Johns for more information.