Office of Bar Admissions
The Office of Bar Admissions of the Supreme Court of South Carolina is responsible for processing applications for admission to practice law in South Carolina. This includes regular admission under Rule 402 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, limited certificates to practice law and pro hac vice applications. The Office assists the Board of Law Examiners in conducting the South Carolina Bar Examination and the Committee on Character and Fitness in processing applications for admission. The Office processes applications for licensing as a foreign legal consultant. Additionally, the Office provides certificates of good standing for those licensed to practice law in South Carolina and processes trial experiences and death penalty certifications. For additional information on each of those areas, please click a link on the menu bar which appears above.
Announcements
Results of the July 2019 Uniform Bar Examination and Swearing-In Ceremony
The results of the July 2019 Uniform Bar Examination administered in South Carolina were posted on this page at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019. Additionally, a letter notifying each bar applicant of the results will be mailed on Friday, October 11, 2019. Telephonic requests for information about these results will not be accepted until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019.
The swearing-in ceremony for applicants who have passed the examination and have completed all other requirements for admission will be held at the Koger Center in Columbia, South Carolina, on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Applicants who are eligible to be sworn in during this ceremony will receive detailed instructions regarding this ceremony in the letter notifying them of the results of the bar examination.
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Results of the July 2019 Uniform Bar Examination
The results of the July 2019 Uniform Bar Examination will be posted at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019.
Swearing-In Ceremony Cancelled Due to Hurricane Florence
Due to Hurricane Florence, the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2018, has been cancelled. The Office of Bar Admissions will contact the bar applicants involved to reschedule their swearing-in ceremony.
Announcement Concerning Computer-Based Testing for July 2018 Uniform Bar Examination
Applicants interested in using laptops to complete their answers to the written components of the July 2018 South Carolina Uniform Bar Examination must complete and return the attached "Request to Participate" form by Friday,June 8, 2018.
Revised Website for the Office of Bar Admissions
The Website for the Office of Bar Admissions of the Supreme Court of South Carolina has been revised completely. This revised website provides detailed information about various areas of responsibility assigned to the Office of Bar Admissions, including links to applicable court rules and forms. Among other things, these areas include the admission of persons to practice law in South Carolina (including limited certificates of admission), pro hac vice admissions, licensing of foreign legal consultants, and the issuance of certificates of good standing.
Rule Amendments Regarding the Uniform Bar Examination
Beginning in February 2017, South Carolina will use the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. To implement this change, the Court has filed an order amending Rule 402 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules.
As indicated by the amended rule, a UBE score of 266 or higher will be required for admission in South Carolina. Further, applications seeking admission based on an existing UBE score from another jurisdiction will not be accepted until May 1, 2017.
In place of the Bridge the Gap Program which is currently required for admission, the amended rule requires applicants to successfully complete a Course of Study on South Carolina Law. This Course of Study will be an on-line course that can be completed in less than 8 hours. The South Carolina Board of Law Examiners is currently developing this Course of Study, and it is anticipated that this Course of Study will be available by January 1, 2017, at the latest.
Persons desiring to take the bar examination in South Carolina should carefully review the amended rule to determine the filing deadlines and other requirements.
As indicated by the order, these amendments have no impact on the July 2016 South Carolina Bar Examination. Instead, the version of Rule 402 prior to these amendments continues to govern all aspects of admission based on South Carolina Bar Examinations conducted prior to February 2017