Ontario Bar Licensing: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2025–26)

Two Entry Points

There are two pathways into the Ontario lawyer licensing process: (1) graduates of Canadian common law programs approved by the Federation of Law Societies, and (2) internationally trained lawyers who have completed the NCA process. If you studied law in Canada, skip to Step 2.

Step 1: NCA Process (Internationally Trained Lawyers Only)

Apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) at nca.legal for an assessment of your foreign legal education. The NCA reviews your academic credentials and professional experience and identifies any gap subjects you must pass to meet the National Requirement for Canadian common law bar admissions.

• NCA exams are open-book, 3 hours, graded pass/fail (50% to pass)
• Fee: approximately $500 CAD per exam (as of 2025 check nca.legal for current fees)
• Results released approximately 10–12 weeks after each exam sitting
• Once all NCA requirements are met, the NCA sends a Certificate of Qualification directly to the LSO you do not deliver this yourself
• Past NCA exams are available at some Canadian law school libraries as practice material

Step 2: Apply to the LSO Licensing Process

Submit a two-part application to the Law Society of Ontario through the LSO portal. All stages of the licensing process must be completed within 3 years of your application date. Application fee: $160 CAD (plus $75 late fee if applicable). The LSO will open access to your licensing exam study materials once your application is accepted.

Step 3: Order and Study the LSO Materials

The LSO provides official study materials for each licensing exam the Barrister materials and the Solicitor materials. Materials cost approximately $100 CAD each. New materials are released every April for the upcoming licensing cycle.

You must use the current cycle's materials. If you defer your exam to the next cycle, you must order new materials for that cycle.

For detailed strategy on how to study for the open-book Ontario bar exams, see: Ontario Bar Exam: Open-Book Strategy, Indexing, and How to Actually Pass.

Step 4: Write the Licensing Examinations

Two separate exams: the Barrister Licensing Examination and the Solicitor Licensing Examination. Both exams are:

You may write the exams in the same sitting or in separate sittings. If you fail and need to rewrite within the same cycle, you pay the rewrite fee but do not need new materials. Exams can be deferred to another sitting within the same cycle by submitting a Request for Deferment at least 10 business days before the exam.

Step 5: Articling or the Law Practice Program (LPP)

You must complete either 10 months of articling with a licensed principal or the 8-month Law Practice Program (LPP). You may write the licensing exams before, during, or after your articling/LPP period they do not need to be in sequence.

The LPP is an alternative pathway for candidates who are unable to secure articling positions. It is a structured, skills-based program. More information: lso.ca/becoming-licensed/lawyer-licensing-process/law-practice-program.

Step 6: Good Character Requirement

The LSO reviews your good character throughout the licensing process. You must disclose any criminal charges, findings of professional misconduct, licensing issues, or other relevant matters. Failure to disclose can be as problematic as the underlying issue itself.

Step 7: Call to the Bar

Once you have passed both licensing exams, completed the practical training requirement, and satisfied the good character requirement, you will be called to the bar at a Law Society ceremony. Ceremonies are held throughout the year in multiple locations.

Key Resources