Ky. Sup. Ct. Order 2025-06 SCR 2.020

SCR 2.020 shall read:

(1) There is hereby created a Board of Bar Examiners known and

designated as the Kentucky Board of Bar Examiners.

(2) The Board shall be composed of seven (7) attorneys appointed by the

Supreme Court of Kentucky for terms of three years, the members to serve

until the expirations of their terms and until their successors are appointed.

The Supreme Court of Kentucky shall appoint the Chair of the Board, and the

Board shall select from its membership a Secretary.

(3) The Board is charged with the responsibility of administering the bar

examination to qualified applicants for admission to the Bar of the

Commonwealth.

SCR 2.022 Application for admission by examination

SCR 2.022 shall read:

The Application for Admission by Examination shall be on a verified form

approved by the Board and may not be filed more than 90 days before the filing

deadline outlined below.

(1) Every person who intends to apply for admission to the Kentucky Bar

by examination must electronically submit a complete, verified Application for

Admission by Examination form and pay the required fee to the Kentucky

Office of Bar Admissions. An application must be complete at the time of its

filing, including a properly executed Authorization & Release form; and must

include the following fee:

(a) Applicants not previously admitted to practice law-$875.00

(b) Attorney applicants admitted in another jurisdiction-$1,200.00

The filing deadline is October 1 for the February Bar examination and

February 1 for the July Bar examination.

(2) Additional costs will be imposed if required by the Character and

Fitness Committee in conducting the background investigation necessary for

certification of eligibility. These additional costs are incurred when

circumstances require a more intensive background investigation. The cost of

any record, document, or inquiry concerning an application or transcript of

record as a result of a hearing shall be paid by the applicant. Any additional

expenses incurred must be paid prior to the release of any examination results

for the applicant.

(3) Upon notice from the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions, the Deans of

each law school shall file individual certifications attesting to each applicant's

character and fitness and date of graduation. The Dean's certification shall be

specific as to each applicant and on a form provided by the Kentucky Office of

Bar Admissions.

(4) Any applicant whose application to the Bar of another jurisdiction has

been refused for any reason is ineligible to take the Bar examination in this

Commonwealth unless the refusal was based upon a failure to pass the Bar

examination in that jurisdiction.

(5) Any applicant who is a member of the Bar in another jurisdiction

must produce a certificate of good standing with the application. The applicant

must also produce a statement from the disciplinary board or equivalent body

of that jurisdiction indicating whether any complaints have been filed against

the applicant and their disposition. Any applicant who has a complaint(s)

pending, is under disciplinary action, suspended, or any other action that

would prohibit the practice of law as a member of the Bar in another

jurisdiction is not eligible for admission in Kentucky. Any applicant who is

disbarred in another jurisdiction is not eligible for admission in Kentucky.

(6) An applicant who wishes to withdraw from the Bar examination must

notify the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions, in writing, not later than 5 days

prior to the examination date or have a verified excuse; otherwise, the Bar

examination fee of $175.00 shall be forfeited.

(7) No part of any fees or expenses as stated in the paragraphs above

shall be refundable.

SCR 2.023 Late filing of application for admission by examination

SCR 2.023 shall read:

(1) An applicant who has failed to timely file an Application for Admission

by Examination under SCR 2.022 may file a late Application for Admission by

Examination form from October 2 to November 10, prior to the February Bar

examination and from February 2, to March 10 for the July Bar examination,

accompanied by a late fee of $250.00 along with the application fee.

(2) An applicant who has failed to file an Application for Admission by

Examination form by the late deadlines prescribed in paragraph (1) of this rule,

may file under the extended late deadlines of November 11 to December 10 for

the February Bar examination and March 11 to May 10 for the July Bar

examination accompanied by an extended late fee of $500.00 along with the

application fee.

(3) When an Application for Admission by Examination form is filed later

than the prescribed deadlines of SCR 2.022, the Committee will determine

whether or not the applicant is permitted to take the forthcoming examination.

(4) Under no circumstances will an application to sit for the Bar

examination be accepted after the above stated extended late filing deadline.