Navigating the Online Application
In addition to the questions below, you will also find video instructions on Navigating the Online Bar Application:
Eligibility Questionnaire and Create Login Instructions: Instructions on how to navigate the eligibility questionnaire before applying to the Minnesota bar, as well as how to create a new login.
Online Bar Application General Instructions: General instructions for navigating the Online Bar Application.
Upload Instructions: How to upload attachments to the Online Bar Application.
Non US Address: Instructions for how to enter a non-US address throughout the Online Bar Application.
Employment History: Instructions for how to enter employment history (Section 7.00 of the Online Bar Application).
Residence History: Instructions for filling out the residence history section of the application (Section 11.00 of the Online Bar Application).
Non Standard Testing Accommodations: Instructions for how to request non standard testing accommodations (Section 5.00 of the Online Bar Application).
Repeat Applicant: Instructions on how to fill out the Online Bar Application if you are a repeat Minnesota applicant.
Click the topics below for more information.
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1. How do I determine if I am eligible to apply?
Please see the Board’s Eligibility Questionnaire and Eligibility and General Requirements FAQs for additional information about eligibility.
2. How do I create a login?
To start, navigate to the home page of the Online Bar Application. If you are a repeat examinee, you may select “Create Login Without Eligibility Questionnaire” to begin the process. For all first time applicants, select “Go To Eligibility Questionnaire” on the home screen to begin. Once you complete the Eligibility Questionnaire, it will recommend an application type. Click “Create a Login.” Then, fill in the requested information, select a username and password, and click “Create a Login.” You will receive a confirmation message and the username that you provided when creating your login will auto-populate into the login field. Video instructions on creating a login may be found here.
Each time you apply with the Board, you will need to create a new login.
3. How do I create an application?
4. How long do I have to submit my application?
You must submit your application to the Minnesota Board of Law Examiners within two years of the date it was created. If it is not submitted within the two-year window, a new application will need to be created and completed. The expiration date of your application is shown on your “My Application” page after logging in.
5. The application website is not working. What do I do?
Make sure you are using a compatible desktop browser. The latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge (Chromium Edition) are all compatible with the application. It will not work properly with Internet Explorer or on a smartphone. If you are still unable to log in, please send a screen shot of the error message and web browser version information to ble@mbcle.state.mn.us for further assistance.
6. Can I increase the text size of the application?
If you find the text within the application to be too small, use the display settings within your internet browser to adjust the text size on your monitor.
7. Can I use a smartphone to complete the application?
No.
8. Can I submit a paper application instead?
As of June 1, 2022, the Board switched to an online bar application. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
If you require an accommodation under the ADA to complete the application, please contact the Board office.
9. How do I change my password?
Once logged into your application, select “My Account.” At the bottom of the page, you may elect to change your password.
10. What do I do if I forgot my username?
If you forgot your username, on the home page of the Online Bar Application under the “Login” button, select “Forgot Username?”. You will then be prompted to enter your email address. Follow the instructions in the email you receive.
11. What do I do if I forgot my password?
If you forgot your password, on the home page of the Online Bar Application under the “Login” button, select “Forgot Password?”. You will then be prompted to enter your email address and username. An email will be sent to your email address with a password reset code. Follow the instructions in the email you receive.
12. I already created a login. How can I change my application type or exam date?
Once logged into your application, select “My Account.” Under the header “Change Application Type and/or Exam Date,” you may change your application type or your exam date.
Applicants are responsible for reviewing the Minnesota Rules for Admission to the Bar to determine their general eligibility for admission and eligibility under their selected application type. Applicants are encouraged to use the Eligibility Questionnaire and review the Eligibility and General Requirements FAQs, and to contact the Board office with any additional questions. Applicants are advised that pursuant to Rule 12I, bar application fees are generally nonrefundable, with partial refunds available only in limited circumstances.
13. Why are there symbols on the left side of my application?
The symbols indicate which sections of your application are complete, incomplete, or not started. An orange triangle indicates which sections and pages of your application are incomplete. The green circle with a check mark inside of it means all required questions and fields in the section or page have been completed. If there is no icon, you have not yet started that section or page.
14. Why is there an asterisk by some application fields?
An asterisk means the question or field is required in order to submit the application. Fields without an asterisk may not apply to every situation or every applicant, but where applicable, are not optional. If a unique situation causes a required field to be inapplicable, briefly explain or type “N/A.”
15. There is an asterisk by a field that does not apply to my situation. What do I do?
An asterisk means the question or field is required in order to submit the application. If a unique situation causes a required field to be inapplicable, briefly explain or type “N/A.”
16. Does the application auto-save?
The application does not auto-save. Every page of the application where you provide information has a “Save Progress” button as well as a “Save and Continue” button. Be sure to save your work frequently.
17. How do I upload a document?
To upload a document, you may drag and drop your documents onto the “Upload” field or click the “Select PDF to Upload” button to select your documents. PDFs are the only file format that is accepted. The maximum file size is 15 megabytes and you may upload 5 documents per upload field. If you have more than 5 documents for a particular upload, you may upload additional documents in Section 13.01 (Miscellaneous Documents). Video instructions on uploading a document may be found here.
18. What file formats are accepted as uploads?
PDFs are the only file format accepted. The maximum file size is 15 megabytes. If you have photos or word processed documents to provide, recent versions of Windows and Mac OS have built-in Save as PDF or Print to PDF functionality to create PDFs. Please note that many phone scanning apps produce very large file sizes and may not be conducive to use for scanning paperwork to upload in the application.
19. What is the maximum file size per document?
The maximum file size is 15 megabytes. If your document is hundreds of pages making it larger than 15 megabytes, you may break the document into smaller sections and upload them separately. If it is still too large, please contact the Board office to discuss additional options. Please note that many phone scanning apps produce very large file sizes and may not be conducive to use for creating PDFs you will upload to this application.
20. How many documents can I upload per question?
Up to 5 documents may be uploaded per upload field. If you have more than 5 documents for a particular upload, you may upload additional documents in Section 13.01 (Miscellaneous Documents).
21. Can I upload documents not requested by the application? Where?
You may upload additional documents for your application in Section 13.01 (Miscellaneous Documents).
22.What if I do not have a document requested by the application?
If an upload is required but you do not have the document, you must add a comment indicating why you have been unable to obtain and provide it, such as awaiting a response to your records request, the document having been purged or destroyed, or that no such document was created or exists for that particular situation.
23. I just added a period of employment but now I want to add a period of unemployment. What do I do?
After adding your periods of employment, go back to Question 7.01 (Employment History) on the left side navigation in order to create an unemployment or solo practice entry. For a period of unemployment, select the “Unemployment” button to create the first unemployment entry. You will need to create separate entries for each period of employment, solo practice, or unemployment. Video instructions on the employment section may be found here.
24. How do I enter a non-US address?
Start by entering the street and city. Then, choose “Non-US State” from the state drop down list. It will be at the top of the list each time. Then, enter the postal code. In the “Country/Region” field, delete United States and type in the region and/or country of the address. Video instructions on entering a non-US address may be found here.
25. Why can’t I click on the “Certifications and Signature” button?
The “Certifications and Signature” button at the bottom of Section 13.02 (Signature and Uploads) is for signing your completed application. It will not become available until all questions, required fields, and uploads have been provided, including the other uploads in Section 13.02.
26. Why is my application locked? How do I change an answer?
Once you upload the “Certifications and Signature” page in Section 13.02 (Signature and Uploads), your application will be locked. If you need to make a change, delete the “Certifications and Signature” upload. This will unlock your application. Once you’ve made your updates, you will need to print, sign, and upload a new Certifications and Signature page.
27.Will I get a copy of my completed application?
In Section 14 (Payment and Submission), you will be able to download a complete signed PDF copy of your application in the form that it will be submitted to the Board. We strongly recommend that you save a copy of the PDF of your completed application.
28.I'm a Rule 6 applicant. When is my application due?
The timely filing deadline for the July exam is March 15 and the late filing deadline is May 1. The timely filing deadline for the February exam is October 15 and the late filing deadline is December 1. If the date falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the deadline shall be the first working day thereafter. A late fee applies when filing after the timely filing deadline (except some repeat applicants). See Rule 12. Please note: Minnesota is in the Central Time Zone. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. Central Time to meet the deadline.
29.The system won’t accept my credit/debit card and the application is due today. What should I do?
Please email the Board office at ble@mbcle.state.mn.us.
30.The Board office is closed, it is the filing deadline, and I am having technical issues. What should I do?
Please email the Board office at ble@mbcle.state.mn.us and the Board office will be in touch as soon as possible. In your email, please include as much detail as possible about the issue.
31.I submitted my application. Now what?
For answers to numerous questions about the remainder of the application process, please see our Applicant Portal and Other Follow-Up FAQs.
Some documents require a PDF reader to view properly.