Please refer to the following when completing the Bar Exam applications and forms.
IMPORTANT DATES
OFFICIAL DEGREE CONFERRAL DATE: May 24, 2026
Please note that although you may participate in the May 17 Law School Convocation Ceremony, your degree is not officially conferred until May 24, 2026.
OFFICIAL CORNELL TRANSCRIPTS
Request an Official Transcript from the Office of the University Registrar AFTER June 5, 2026, to ensure all earned credits and degree are posted.
Request online: https://registrar.cornell.edu/grades-transcripts/ordering-transcripts or through Student Center.
Note: New York does not require official transcripts to be submitted with JD bar application.
NEW YORK STATE BAR EXAMINATION
Application Filing Period: March 1-30. THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR LATE FILING.
Examination Dates: Tuesday – July 28 and Wednesday – July 29, 2026
After passing the New York Bar, you have three years to seek admission. When applying for admission, the NY State Bar requires the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), the New York Law Exam (NYLE), certification of the 50-hour pro bono service requirement, and the Skills Competency Requirement set forth in Section 520.18 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals. For more information see https://www.nybarexam.org/.
NEW YORK CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
When you register for the exam, the form is sent directly to the Law School to verify the information and certify the degree. If there are any discrepancies, our office will correct the information. You do not need to submit a “paper” Certificate of Attendance for New York.
OTHER JURISDICTIONS
State bar authorities require certification of Law School attendance/graduation. Many states require the certification on a specific form; others accept the certification on Law School letterhead. It is your responsibility to obtain any necessary documents and submit them to the Law School Registrar’s Office with instructions for:
(1) When they must be submitted, and
(2) Where they must be sent.
WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR FORMS
(1) Postal mail to Office of the Registrar, L46 Hughes Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
(2) PDF/SCAN to law.registrar@cornell.edu
If you have any questions regarding the certifications, reach out to law.registrar@cornell.edu.
For any Bar advising, reach out to law.dos@cornell.edu.
Important Links:
New York State Board of Bar Examiners:
http://www.nybarexam.org/Default.html
National Conference of Bar Examiners: ALL jurisdictions’ websites can be found on this page.
MPRE (Multi-state Professional Responsibility Exam):
http://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre/
American Bar Association:
http://www.americanbar.org/aba.html
California Bar Exam:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Examination
Massachusetts Bar Exam:
http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/attorneys-bar-applicants/bbe/
D.C. Bar Exam:
Texas Bar Exam:
Pennsylvania Bar Exam:
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