Bar Exam Information

The Supreme Court of Texas is the agency that sets the qualifications for applicants to be licensed to practice in Texas. The administration of this process is the responsibility of the Texas Board of Law Examiners.

Students who intend to practice law in the State of Texas must file with the Board of Law Examiners a Declaration of Intention to Study Law. Postmark deadlines are strictly enforced. Visit the Texas Board of Law Examiners official website [ http://www.ble.state.tx.us/ ] for additional information, official Bar Examination filing deadlines, and examination dates.

Students intending to practice in states other than Texas should consult with the applicable agency in that state to determine what actions they need to take. Useful information regarding these requirements can be found in the ABA Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements and at other links below.

Students interested in courses tested on the Texas Bar Exam can review the SMU Course Recommendations. materials as they plan their academic schedule each semester.

Students who intend to practice law in Texas must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). This test is administered three times a year. For information about this test you may consult the relevant page from the website of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. 

Other relevant information that students need regarding Bar Review Courses and Bar Examination Loans, together with applicable forms can be found in the links below.

General Bar Exam Information

• SMU Course Recommendations
• Texas Board of Bar Examiners: [ http://www.ble.state.tx.us ]
• National Conference of Bar Examiners: [ http://www.ncbex.org ]

ABA Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements
[ http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/legaled/publications/20110201_Comp_Guide.authcheckdam.pdf ]

Bar Review Courses

• BarBri: [ http://www.barbri.com ]
• Kaplan Complete: [ http://www.kaptest.com/Bar-Exam/Bar-Review-Courses/General-Bar-Review/complete-bar-review-course.html ]
• Kaplan PMBR: [ http://www.kaptest.com/Bar-Exam/Home/index.html ]
• Multistate Edge: [ http://www.multistateedge.com ]
• Southwest Bar Review: [ http://southwestbarreview.com ]
• Themis: [ http://www.themisbar.com ]

Bar Exam Loans

• The Access Group: [ http://www.accessgrp.org ]
• SallieMae: [ http://go.salliemae.com/content/for-schools/custom-solution/post-secondary.aspx ]