Licensing Examinations

To be eligible to write the licensing examinations as a licensing process candidate, candidates must have:

• graduated from a common law program approved by the Law Society at a university in Canada or received a Certificate of Qualification issued by the National Committee on Accreditation appointed by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Committee of Canadian Law Deans;
• filed the required licensing process application documents; and
• paid all required fees (or arranged to pay through a Monthly Payment Plan).

General Information

The licensing examinations consist of a self-study, multiple-choice, open-book barrister examination and a self-study, multiple-choice, open-book solicitor examination. The barrister and solicitor competencies tested are those required for entry-level practice that have the most direct impact on the protection of the public and that influence an effective and ethical practice.

The barrister licensing examination assesses competencies in the following categories: Ethical and Professional Responsibilities; Knowledge of the Law (Ontario and Federal Legislation and Case Law); Establishing and Maintaining the Barrister-Client Relationship; Problem/Issue Identification, Analysis, and Assessment; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Litigation Process; and Practice Management Issues.

The solicitor licensing examination assesses competencies in the following categories: Ethical and Professional Responsibilities; Knowledge of the Law (Ontario and Federal Legislation, Case Law, Policy, Procedures, and Forms); Establishing and Maintaining the Solicitor-Client Relationship; Fulfilling the Retainer; and Practice Management Issues.

The Law Society will provide candidates with access to the necessary online materials to study for the licensing examinations. Candidates are permitted to print and mark up the materials and bring them to the examination testing area. Note that no digital access to any materials is permitted in the Testing Area

Further information: 

Licensing Examination Deadlines and Dates
Rules and Protocol 
Guide to Licensing Examinations
Sample Examination Questions
Fees and Forms
Entry-Level Barrister Competencies
Entry-Level Solicitor Competencies