Ultimate Guide to Puerto Rico Bar Exam
Your complete guide to Puerto Rico bar exam prep.
Pass Rates · Format · Schedule · Dates · Location · Application Fees & Deadlines · What to Bring · Scores & Grading · Results · Reciprocity · Law Schools · Groups · Other Resources
*Updated February 2024
Puerto Rico Bar Exam | Basic Information
The Puerto Rico Bar Association was started in 1911. It is mandatory to be a member of the bar association to practice as a lawyer in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is not a Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) district. Puerto Rico has its own bar exam with essay questions and some multiple choice questions.
July 2023 (431 takers)
February 2023 (107 takers)
July 2021 (487 takers)
March 2021 (661 takers)
What’s the format of the Puerto Rico Bar?
The Puerto Rico bar is administered twice a year in Puerto Rico (in spring and fall). The examination is administered over two days. The Puerto Rico bar has essay questions and some multiple choice questions covering nine different topics.
The Puerto Rico bar covers several topics:
- Federal Civil Procedure
- Federal Evidence
- Federal Jurisdiction and Venue
- Federal Criminal Procedure
- Local Rules
- Federal Appellate Procedure
- Bankruptcy
- Ethics
The exam questions will be written in Spanish, and can be answered in either Spanish or English. There is an examination question testing the ability to understand the English language.
Learn more here.
Upcoming Bar Exam Schedule, Dates, Location
Are you interested in taking the Puerto Rico bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the Puerto Rico bar exam.
The Puerto Rico Bar exam fee is $250 for most takers.
*Visit the Puerto Rico Court’s website for more information.
Deadlines vary by year, depending on when the bar is administered.
In addition to passing the Puerto Rico bar exam with a score of at least 596 out of 1000, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in Puerto Rico, including:
- Certificate from Committee of Character and Fitness
Allowed Items
- Clear gallon size bag
- Government-issued photo I.D.
- Wallet
- Keys
- Medication and medical items
Prohibited items
- Any item that can connect to the internet
- Any item that can record audio or video
- Backpacks
- Books
- Briefcases
- Computer sleeves
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Notes
- Phones
- Food or drink
- Purses
- Radios
- Rulers
- Scratch papers
- Study materials
- Watches
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my Puerto Rico bar exam results released?
*Puerto Rico bar exam results by law school.
Puerto Rico bar exam results are usually posted four to six weeks after the exam date. You will be emailed with the results.
Can I see my Puerto Rico bar exam score?
If you passed the Puerto Rico bar exam, you won’t be able to see your score. If you failed the exam, you will be notified of your score.
Can I appeal to have my Puerto Rico bar exam re-graded?
No. Essays are automatically re-graded if you are close to passing.
How many times can I take the bar exam in Puerto Rico?
You can take the Puerto Rico bar six times.
Here’s a list of law schools in Puerto Rico.
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
- Founded: 1921
- Located: San Juan, PR
- Enrollment: about 565
- Tuition Cost: $11,300
- Bar Passage Rate: 49%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: derecho.uprrp.edu
Escuela de Derecho (PUCPR)
- Founded: 1961
- Located: Ponce, PR
- Enrollment: about 380
- Tuition Cost: $7,924
- Bar Passage Rate: 38%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: derecho.pucpr.edu
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after, passing the bar exam:
University of Puerto Rico School of Law
Escuela de Derecho (PUCPR)
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the Puerto Rico bar exam: