About the Bar Exam

The New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners requires that you pass the MPRE and the New Mexico bar exam, complete and return the required forms, have the Law School send an official transcript that evidences graduation, and complete fingerprinting cards and send them to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety in order to be licensed to practice law in New Mexico. Bar application forms are confidential absent a court order or consent from the applicant in order to facilitate full disclosure.

What forms have to be filled out for the New Mexico Bar?

(The Clinic can notarize forms with a current photo ID).

  1. Two original New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners Authorization Release Forms
    This form must be notarized.
  2. National Conference of Bar Examiners Release Form
    Make three original copies. All originals must be notarized.
  3. The Application Form
    Make two original copies. Both originals must be notarized.
  4. Statistical Data Form
    This should be attached to the Application. This form is self explanatory and does not need to be notarized.
  5. Character & Fitness Form
    You must return three Character and Fitness Forms filled out by three attorneys in good standing with any Bar. These three individuals must be different from the six individuals you list on the Application.

Where do I get the forms and where do I send the completed forms?

These forms are all available at http://www.nmexam.org/application_forms.html. Completed forms should be mailed or delivered to the Board.

Important Bar Application Iinformation

  1. The Application is an in-depth questionnaire that asks about your history in many different areas dating back as long as 10 years ago. You should review the Application as early as possible to familiarize yourself with the questions.
  2. You must state every residence you have had for the past 5 years, and the time periods you resided at each.
  3. You must state all employment you have had since age 18 or for the past 10 years, whichever is shorter. You must include the time periods you worked at each job, the exact address of each employment, the position you held and the reason for termination or leaving.
  4. You must give a detailed statement regarding any service in the armed forces.
  5. You must state any civil law suits you have been involved in, that you were a party to, or had an interest in, and any charges and arrests made regarding the violation of the law. You also have to include any fraud charges, formal or informal, and any bankruptcy proceedings you have been involved in.
  6. You must make a detailed statement regarding any reprimand or discipline by an employer or educational institution for any misconduct that is indicated in the Application.
  7. Note that questions 26 and 27 are applicable to law students. If a question is not applicable please state so.
  8. There are still many other questions that will require time and thought to answer. Do not wait until the last minute to review and begin answering the application form.

Additional Requirements

  1. Transcript from law school with evidence of graduation (do not send diploma). Your final and complete transcript from law school should indicate that you were awarded your J.D. and on what date. This will satisfy evidence of graduation requirement. If you are a recent graduate, the Board understands that your final transcript might not be available by the filing deadline. It may be added to your file at a later date but must be received prior to administration of the bar exam. The transcript must be sent to the office directly from the law school. Student or Xerox copies are not acceptable.
  2. Fingerprinting
  • FBI Identification and NM State Criminal Record. You must complete two fingerprint cards and submit them both to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety for your FBI and New Mexico criminal record.
  • Where do I get my finger prints done?
    It is possible that finger printing will be offered in the Career Services Office at UNMSOL. If it is, the date and time will be announced. In the event that UNMSOL does not offer fingerprinting, you can ask your local police department to fingerprint you or find a private company that does fingerprinting.
  • It can take as long as 3 to 4 months for your record to be completed. You should send the fingerprint cards off as soon as you possibly can so as not to delay being licensed.

MPRE

The MPRE only requires that you register, and does not require any corresponding applications or information sheets be filled out. You can register online for the MPRE. Plan to take the MPRE shortly after you take ethics, and in any event, before you take the bar exam, otherwise you will be delayed in being licensed.