Who runs the review and what it costs
NCBE's character report fee depends on when your first law degree is awarded, and the fees changed on October 1, 2026. Filing while graduation is more than a year away costs $300, filing within a year of graduation costs $435, and filing more than a year after graduating costs $625. A degree from outside the United States, or ever having practiced law abroad, is $975. A second report within four years costs less: $135 for the same jurisdiction and $275 for a different one.
| Fee category | Fee | Who pays it |
|---|---|---|
| I | $300 | First law degree expected in more than one year |
| II | $435 | First law degree expected within one year, not yet authorized to practice |
| III | $625 | U.S. law degree awarded more than one year ago, or authorized to practice only in the U.S. |
| IV | $975 | First law degree earned outside the U.S., or ever authorized to practice abroad |
| V | $275 | NCBE prepared a category I, II or III report for a different jurisdiction within four years |
| VI | $135 | NCBE prepared a category I, II or III report for the same jurisdiction within four years |
| VII | $500 | NCBE prepared a category IV report for any jurisdiction within four years |
How long it takes
NCBE says its report can take up to 12 weeks to arrive, and the clock starts when you file. California runs its own process and says a complete application generally takes at least 180 days; it asks applicants to file 8 to 10 months before the date they want to be admitted. A file with a flagged answer takes longer than either figure.
Read each question exactly
Questions differ by jurisdiction. Some ask about arrests, some about convictions, and some about dismissed or sealed matters. Answer what is asked. If you are unsure whether something is covered, disclose it and explain it. An expungement only lets you skip a question when the question says so.
Criminal and traffic matters
Get the court record for every arrest, charge and citation, including the ones that were dismissed. Minor traffic violations are often excluded or limited, but the wording varies by board. Write down the date, the outcome and what you changed.
Academic discipline and application accuracy
Honor code findings, plagiarism findings and errors in your law school application can all be asked about. An omission on a prior application is worse than the original error: disclose it and correct the record with the school.
Money, taxes and legal obligations
Boards ask about debts, bankruptcy, unpaid taxes, student loan default, child support and civil judgments because they bear on handling client funds. What they weigh is what you did about the obligation, so bring the payment plan or the correspondence.
Employment and prior professional discipline
Explain terminations and workplace discipline in a few factual sentences. For discipline in another profession, bring the decision and proof that you complied with it.
Mental health and substance-related questions
Many jurisdictions have narrowed or dropped questions about diagnosis or treatment and ask about conduct and current ability to practice. Others still ask. Read your jurisdiction's current form, and get advice before answering if the wording is unclear.
Social media and references
Public posts can be found and read. Choose references who know you well and will reply on time, because a slow reference stalls the file.
When to hire a lawyer
Hire a lawyer with character and fitness experience before filing if you have a conviction, prior discipline, an honesty finding or a pending matter.
Common questions
How much does the NCBE character report cost?+
$300 if your first law degree is more than a year away, $435 within a year of graduating, $625 more than a year after graduating, and $975 for a degree from outside the United States. A second report within four years costs $135 for the same jurisdiction and $275 for a different one. These fees took effect October 1, 2026.
How early should I file for character and fitness?+
As early as the jurisdiction accepts it. NCBE says its report can take up to 12 weeks, California says a complete application generally takes at least 180 days, and filing earlier costs less at NCBE: $300 while graduation is more than a year off, against $435 and $625 later.
Should I disclose a dismissed or expunged charge?+
Read the question. If it asks about arrests or charges regardless of outcome, disclose it. Do not rely on an expungement unless the question clearly says you need not report it.
Will a past mistake keep me from being admitted?+
Not necessarily. Boards focus on honesty, patterns and what you have done since. Full disclosure and evidence of responsibility often matter more than the event itself.
Do I have to disclose mental health treatment?+
It depends on the jurisdiction's current questions. Many now focus on conduct and current ability to practice rather than treatment, so read the form and ask if you are unsure.
What to do next
- 1
List every matter the application might ask about, with documents.
- 2
Draft short, factual explanations and read them again after a day.
- 3
Talk to a lawyer before filing if your history is serious.