Rule 14-707. Application; deadlines; withdrawals; postponements and fees.

(a) Form. Each applicant must submit a completed application for examination and admission in accordance with the instructions prescribed by the Bar. Such application shall include an authorization and release enabling the Bar to obtain information concerning the applicant.

(b) Filing deadlines generally. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Bar shall receive complete applications by October 1 preceding the February Bar Examination and by March 1 preceding the July Bar Examination. A complete application will be accepted up to 15 calendar days after the filing deadline if accompanied by the prescribed 15-day late fee. A complete application will be accepted up to November 1 for the February Bar Examination if accompanied by the prescribed 30-day late fee and up to April 1 for the July Bar Examination if accompanied by the prescribed 30-day late fee. An official certificate of law school graduation reflecting graduation must be submitted by the applicant prior to being permitted to take the Bar Examination. In accordance with the filing instructions and information for the application, late or incomplete applications will not be accepted with the following exception. A fingerprint card must be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigations ("FBI") in order for a criminal background check to be prepared. If the FBI rejects the fingerprint card, an application will be considered complete if a copy of the rejection letter is included with the application. The applicant will then have an additional six weeks from the date of the rejection letter to submit the criminal background check to the Bar.

(c) Filing deadlines for disbarred attorneys. Disbarred attorneys may not file an application for admission until the later of five years after the effective date of the license revocation or the date specified in the disciplinary order. Disbarred attorneys must comply with Rule 14-717(b), if applicable. Complete applications for disbarred attorneys shall be received by the Bar by September 1 preceding the February Bar Examination and by February 1 preceding the July Bar Examination. Late applications for disbarred attorneys are not permitted.

(d) Withdrawal of applications and refunds. To withdraw an application, written notice must be provided 30 calendar days before the examination date. One-half of the filing fee paid shall be refunded; late fees will not be refunded. No refund is available to admission on motion applicants or if the application is withdrawn within 30 calendar days of the date of the Bar Examination or if a notice of a formal hearing by a panel of the Character and Fitness Committee has been sent to the applicant.

(e) Postponement of application. An applicant may only postpone or transfer his or her application due to emergency circumstances or pursuant to Rule 14-708(b)(4)(A). Emergency transfers are subject to the following restrictions.

(e)(1) The applicant must provide a written request, including payment of the prescribed transfer fee, prior to the date of the Bar Examination.

(e)(2) Proof of the emergency must be provided. The reasons for the transfer are limited to two circumstances:

(e)(2)(A) a personal medical emergency, or

(e)(2)(B) a death in the immediate family.

(e)(3) The transferring applicant must specify which future Bar Examination he or she plans to take. The exam must be taken within the next two scheduled Bar examinations.

(e)(4) The applicant must provide an updated application by filing a reapplication for admission form, updating any information that has changed since the prior application was filed and a new criminal background check. The reapplication for admission form should be submitted by the initial application deadline of October 1 preceding the February Bar Examination and March 1 preceding the July Bar Examination. A reapplication for admission will be accepted up to 15 calendar days after the filing deadline if accompanied by the prescribed 15-day late fee. A reapplication for admission form will be accepted up to November 1 for the February Bar Examination if accompanied by the 30-day late fee and up to April 1 for the July Bar Examination if accompanied by the prescribed 30-day late fee.

(e)(5) An applicant is entitled to one transfer only.

(f) Retaking Bar Examination. An applicant failing the Bar Examination who wishes to retake the examination must file a written request, including payment of the prescribed fee by the retake deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

(f)(1) The applicant must provide an updated application form, updating any information that has changed since the application was filed and a new criminal background check.

(f)(2) An applicant who fails to achieve a passing score after six examinations may only take additional examinations with the permission of the Admissions Committee. A petition providing good cause as to why the Admissions Committee should grant such a request must be filed with the deputy general counsel by the initial application deadline for the examination. Late applications will not be accepted. Qualified applicants who have already failed six or more examinations by September 1, 2003, may be approved to take two additional examinations.