There are several routes to admission with the Oregon State Bar, primarily through the bar exam and reciprocity with most other states. Information follows on all manners of admission.

Please Note: Admissions does not handle certain transactions. Links follow to assist you with these processes:
  1. Address Changes – OSB members seeking to update their contact information may do so via email, or mailing a form to the bar, or logging in to the website.
  2. Certificates of Good StandingSubmit a request online. Questions? Contact Jennifer Brand, jbrand@osbar.org or 503-620-0222, ext. 450;
  3. Status ChangesForms are available online. Questions? Contact Vickie Hansen, vhansen@osbar.org, or 503-620-0222, ext. 452
  4. Pro Hac Vice admissionForms are available online. Questions? Contact Vickie Hansen, vhansen@osbar.org, or 503-620-0222, ext. 451.

Change to bar exam composition - Beginning with the July 2012 exam, the number of essay questions will be reduced from nine (9) to six (6). The number of Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions will be increased from one (1) to (2). The overall length of the exam will remain two (2) days.



2012 July Exam
Detailed Information
Apply Here (writable PDF Application)
Exam Instructions
Exam Schedule Updated with Changes



Some lawyers may be admitted without taking the bar examination. Each of these alternate routes has specific requirements which must be satisfied. Applicants are encouraged to review these rules carefully. Applicants for admission via an alternate route must still demonstrate good moral character pursuant to ORS 9.220.


All application forms for admission are available here.


Qualifying jurisdictions for reciprocity with Oregon

Alabama      Alaska     Arizona     Arkansas     Colorado     Connecticut     District Of Columbia     Georgia     Idaho     Illinois     Indiana     Iowa     Kansas     Kentucky     Maine     Massachusetts     Michigan     Minnesota     Mississippi     Missouri     Nebraska     New Hampshire     New York     North Carolina     North Dakota     Ohio     Oklahoma     Pennsylvania     South Dakota     Tennessee     Texas     Utah     Vermont     Virginia     Washington     West Virginia     Wisconsin     Wyoming


Mandatory CLE Requirements for Reciprocity Admission

All applicants for Reciprocity Admission must take 15 credit hours of continuing legal education as approved by the Board.

Mandatory Subjects: At least two (2) credit hours must cover Legal Ethics (Oregon Code of Professional Responsibility) Four (4) credit hours must cover introductory Civil Procedure (Oregon State Court and United States District Court of Oregon local rules) At least three (3) hours must cover Oregon State Court civil procedure, emphasizing the unique aspects. Not more than one hour can be on United States District Court of Oregon local rules.

Elective Subjects: Nine (9) of the credit hours must be taken in one or more of the following subject fields emphasizing Oregon law, provided the credit hours have been accredited by the Oregon State Bar Minimum Continuing Legal Education Administrator. Oregon Administrative Law, Oregon Constitutional Law, Contracts, Corporations, Criminal Law and Procedure, Decendent's Estates, Oregon Domestic Relations, Employment Law, Evidence, Local Federal Court Practice and Procedure, Legal and Equitable Remedies, Oregon Legislation, Partnerships, Oregon Court Practice and Procedure, Real Property, Torts, Trusts, U.C.C. II - Sales, U.C.C. III - Negotiable Instruments/Commercial Paper, U.C.C. IX - Secured Transactions.




Application Forms


General Forms


Laptop Exam Information


Oath Form
Please note: The Oath must be filed with the Supreme Court. Please do not send this form to the Oregon State Bar as it may delay your date of admission. Please send to: Oregon Supreme Court, 1163 State St. Salem, OR 97301.


Reciprocity Forms


Testing Accomodations
Any applicant requesting testing accommodations must submit accurate and fully complete request forms (on the forms provided by the Board) and file them with the Board no later than April 15th for the July bar exam and November 15th for the subsequent February bar exam. RFA 5.10.


Staff Contacts

Jon Benson
Executive Director

Oregon State Board of Bar Examiners
jbenson@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 419

Charles Schulz
Admissions Coordinator

cschulz@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 310

Lisa Oreskovich
Admissions Assistant

loreskovich@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 316

Jen Wiser
Admissions Assistant

jwiser@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 364



Board of Bar Examiners
Howes, Jeffrey Alan    Member
Hon Kasubhai, Mustafa T    Member
Leis, Craig L    Member
Lloyd, Jennifer S    Member
O'Neil, Tanya C    Member
Reese, David C    Member
Schroedel, John L    Member
Starr, Renee E    Member
Hon Tanner, Jill A    Member
Weigler, Heather L    Member
White, David F    Member
Green, Randall     Public Member
Dr Haydon, Shane     Public Member