The process involves 2 steps: (1) getting a certification of fitness and (2) applying for and taking the Bar exam. 

     Therefore, law students must complete 2 applications:

1. Bar Fitness Application: $300 fee. Call 404.656.3490 to get Bar Application Package. Regular filing deadline is December 4, 2002. Must be typed. It is long, detailed, and intrusive. Students must fill it out completely, carefully, and candidly. Read it thoroughly as it is broader than it appears at first glance.
2. Application for the Bar Exam: $120 fee. One page application sent to student upon receipt of the Bar Fitness Application. As 1,300 – 1,400 students generally take the Bar each time it is offered, Mr. Askew strongly encouraged students to get their Fitness Applications in by the regular filing deadline. 

     While there is a trend to wait until the late filing deadline of March 5, 2003, this is discouraged as if an applicant has a problem with her Fitness Application that takes a while to correct, then she cannot take the July exam.

     While the application will eventually be available online, possibly by January of 2003, there is presently NO online registration.

Disclosure
     Mr. Askew stressed the importance of not trying to parse questions in an effort to avoid disclosing information. If you wonder whether or not to include something, include it. “When in doubt, disclose!” If you have a question, call the Georgia Office of Bar Admissions (404.656.3490) and ask questions anonymously. The information contained in the application is completely confidential. Even though the Office has been subpoened for information in an application, they did not have to reveal it. The application is considered a continuing application, so if something changes, an applicant has 30 days to amend it. This applies until an applicant is sworn in as a lawyer.

     Information is requested regarding up to 10 years ago or starting when the applicant was 18 years old, whichever is shorter. In reference to employment history, speeding ticket information, etc., applicants should just do their best in disclosing identifying information. For example, for speeding ticket information, if an applicant has had a GA license for over one year, (s)he does not need to provide a DMV report. If not, a DMV report is required. In reference to employment history, applicants should include a supervisor still with the company. Disclose if the company no longer exists. Also, include unpaid positions such as internships.

     Applicants should identify any gaps in employment or education. Further, it is wise to get a free credit report from the major credit agencies, Transunion, Experian, and Equifax.

Process
     Once the Application is filed, it is reviewed for completeness by an Application Analyst. You will either receive a letter saying that your application is fine or that you need to supply more information. A letter requesting more information is called a start-up letter.

     The Office of Admissions will send letters of inquiry to your listed references, employers, schools, etc. Therefore, make sure you provide complete and up-to-date addresses. If there is no problem with your application, then the application goes to the Fitness Board for action. If no additional information is needed and no issues arise, the Application should be certified within 90-100 days. Once certified, you have up to five years to take the Bar under that certification in Georgia.

     If there is an issue with your application, the Fitness Board has 3 options:

1. Certify your application anyway
2. Send your application back to you and ask for follow-up information
3. Consider the file complete but because of concerns, ask to speak with the applicant. The applicant meets with the 9 members of the Fitness Board. In a typical year, only 35 out of 1,300 applicants are called in. In a bad year, 4 of these applicants are denied certification.

Problem Areas and Solutions
     Mr. Askew highlighted that some typical problem areas are unlawful conduct, academic misconduct, false statements, misconduct in employment, neglect of financial responsibilities, evidence of emotional instability, and a drug / alcohol problem. However, he stressed that nothing can automatically bar certification and what matters is an applicant’s character fitness today. The Board will consider criteria at time of incident such as age, recency, reliability, and seriousness. Most important to the Board is evidence of rehabilitation as well as evidence of honesty and integrity.

     The biggest problem areas they see are (1) DUI offenses, (2) bad credit history, and (3) academic misconduct. As the Board views DUIs as a serious threat, in 2001 they started a policy that if an applicant gets a DUI during his third year, he is not allowed to take the July Bar. This is because a GA statute says that if you have a DUI you have one year probation; a Bar Fitness Application cannot be completed when an applicant is on probation.

     He stated that in reference to bad credit history, “debt is not a problem, being irresponsible about debt is the concern.” An applicant with bad credit history must show evidence of paying a creditor for 6 consecutive months to be certified. This is another reason that applicants should not wait until the last minute to fill out the application.

     In reference to academic misconduct such as plagiarism, the Board considers rehabilitation and typically does not deny certification.

Bar Information
     The Bar is the last Tuesday and Wednesday of July and February. July exam results are sent out the last weekend in October. Results are also posted online by exam number on the last Friday of October.