ALASKA BAR ASSOCIATION

Please see more information regarding how to handle these specific situations. If your situation is not addressed here, or if you still have questions, please contact the Admissions Assistant for more information.

Yes. All work history should be included, even if unpaid.

Type "Unemployed" in the Employer Name field, type "n/a" in the Address 1, City, Phone, and Your Occupation/Position fields, select the State or Province and Country in which you were living when unemployed, enter the zip code and the period you were unemployed in the From Mo/Yr and To Mo/Yr.  Click here to see an example.

Yes. Please provide a full explanation in the box provided of the condition and how it is controlled.

Alaska will accept MPRE scores taken not more than 8 years prior to the applicant’s Alaska application for admission. The score can be submitted any time prior to admission. Please see Alaska Bar Rule 5(a).

You can get fingerprinted anywhere that offers fingerprinting services. If you are in Alaska, please see list of service providers. If you are not in Alaska, a simple internet search should provide you with contact information for providers in your area. Local law enforcement or other authorized agencies may also offer fingerprinting services.

Yes. The "standard applicant card" or "Form FD-258" is required. A blue, double sided, Form FD-258 must be submitted. Any fingerprint service provider can usually provide you with the card. Alternatively, you can email the Bar Office and request that one be mailed to you.

Download the instructions.

Payment can be made by credit card or via PayPal.  If you need to set up a PayPal account, you can do that by clicking here.

It is your responsibility to request that your law school send your Certificate of Graduation directly to us. The Certificate of Graduation is an original letter, on school letterhead, verifying your degree and the date received. If the school uses a seal, it will also include the school seal. Most law schools are familiar with this document, but if they have questions, please have them contact our office and ask for admissions.

You need to submit new photos, fingerprint card, Laptop Registration Form, and Authorization and Release Form.

You may pay these fees together.

Yes. All applicants are required to submit all listed materials on the Admission by Bar Exam Instructions and Checklist even if they plan on transferring their score following the release of the Bar exam results. An incomplete application (i.e. missing required items) will not be processed, and the applicant will not be issued an exam permit. Permits are required to sit for the exam. 

No. Bar Rule. 2, Section 2(2) states that you must have been actively practicing law “in one or more states, territories or the District of Columbia” for 3 of the last 5 years immediately preceding the date of your application. The practice can have taken place in any state in which you were legitimately practicing.

No.

Current or past employers, clients, associates, attorney's or judges may complete the affidavit.

No. All of the affidavits combined must describe at least 750 hours per year of the active practice of law. The five-year period is measured on a rolling basis from the date of your application, not by calendar year.

Example: You apply on December 1, 2025. You submit affidavits from:

• John Doe, Partner at Bar & Bree, describing that he is your current supervisor and that you have worked full-time there as a practicing attorney since July 1, 2024 (40 hours/week x 48 weeks = 1,920 hours from 12/1/2024 to 12/1/2025 and 40 hours/week x 26 weeks = 1,040 hours). So you have met the 750-hour requirement for the years of 12/1/2024 to 12/1/2025 and 12/1/2023 to 12/1/2024.
• Jane Smith, former associate at West & Law, describing that you and she worked together there as associates full-time from February 1, 2021 to November 1, 2022 (40 hours/week x approximately 36 weeks = 1,440 hours). You exceeded 750 hours for the December 1, 2020 to December 1, 2021 year, so you have met the requirement for that year.

These two affidavits together show that you engaged in the active practice of law for 750 hours for three of the five years immediately preceding your application.

• Be notarized
• Identify the affiant's position and how they know your work; and
• Describe the legal work performed and provide enough detail for the Alaska Bar to determine the amount of qualifying work. For example, approximate hours worked per year, or whether your work was full-time during the period the affiant can personally verify.

No single affidavit must cover the entire three-of-five-year period; the affidavits collectively must demonstrate that you meet the 750-hour-per-year standard for at least three of the five years. Supplemental affidavits may be submitted if needed to establish the minimum practice requirement.

The affidavits are a distinct form, and are in addition to, the employment and personal references in the application. There is no form that we provide.

Once we receive your application, we start the character investigation process. This can take at least 3-4 months, depending on each individual application. There is no way for us to expedite this process as we treat all applications with priority. Once the character investigation is complete, your application will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. Since we cannot guarantee a time frame for your application to be completed, it is best that you get your application turned in to us as soon as possible before the time you are hoping to be admitted.

No. Each application is already treated with priority.

Once we receive your application, we start the character investigation process. This can take at least 3-4 months, depending on each individual application. There is no way for us to expedite this process as we treat all applications with priority. Once the character investigation is complete, your application will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. Since we cannot guarantee a time frame for your application to be completed, it is best that you get your application turned in to us as soon as possible before the time you are hoping to be admitted.

No. Each application is already treated with priority.