Requirements in Taking the Bar

A bar candidate must meet the following academic qualifications:

• Holder of a professional degree in law from a recognized law school in the Philippines^[4]
• Holder of a bachelor's degree with academic credits in certain required subjects from a recognized college or university in the Philippines or abroad.^[5]

He or she should also meet certain non-academic requisites:^[6]

• A Filipino citizen.
• At least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• A resident of the Philippines.
• Satisfactory evidence of good moral character (usually a certificate from the dean of law school or an immediate superior at work).
• No charges involving moral turpitude have been filed against the candidate or are pending in any court in the Philippines.

In March 2010 the Philippine Supreme Court Issued Bar Matter 1153 amending provisions in sec 5 and 6 of rule 138 of the rules of court now allowing Filipino foreign law school graduates to take the bar exam provided that they comply with the following: a. completion of all courses leading to a degree of Bachelor of laws or its equivalent b. recognition or accreditation of the law school by proper authority c. completion of all fourth year subjects in a program of a law school duly accredited by the Philippine Government d. present proof of completing a separate bachelors degree