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Completing the Lawyer Licensing Process Application

(Revised October 2023)

Deadline for Application to the 2024-25 Licensing Cycle
December 1, 2023, 5:00 p.m. EST

This application allows you to apply to the lawyer licensing process and to write the winter/summer/fall 2024 and winter 2025 licensing examinations.

It is recommended that those who wish to select the winter 2025 sitting instead apply in the fall 2024 intake period. Applicants who select the earliest winter sitting (2024) will be placed in the earlier 2023-24 licensing cycle and will be required to complete their licensing requirements within two licensing cycles (instead of three). Please contact the Licensing and Accreditation Department if you require further information on the impact of selecting a licensing examination in an earlier licensing cycle

If you have already applied to any Ontario lawyer licensing process or the Bar Admission Course, you should not re-apply online. Please contact the Licensing and Accreditation Department to obtain further information and instruction on how to proceed by calling 416-947-3315 or toll free at 1-800-668-7380, ext. 3315.

If you are already licensed as a paralegal (Class P1 Licence), you must ensure that you do not allow your licence to be suspended or revoked while you are in the lawyer licensing process. Failure to remain entitled to provide legal services as a paralegal while you still hold a Class P1 Licence may result in a delay in your application to become licensed as a lawyer.

For further information about your P1 status while in the lawyer licensing process, please contact Membership Services.

General Information
Fee and Payment Information

Part I - Completing the Online Application

     Personal Information Section
     Proof of Legal Name Section
     Voluntary Information Section
     Good Character Section
     Proof of Education Section 
     Experiential Training Selection
     Accommodation Section
     Licensing Examination Section
     Declaration, Confirmation and Agreement

Part II - Preparing and Submitting the Printed Application 

     Process for Certification of Documents by a Guarantor or Referee
     Submitting Photo
     Submitting Proof of Legal Name Documentation
     Submitting Good Character Information
     Signing the Declaration and Obligations Page
     Application Fee and Late Fee
     Preparing the Application Package for Submission 
     After you Apply and Submit Part II

General Information

There are two mandatory parts to the lawyer licensing process application.

Part I consists of the online entry of your information and payment of the non-refundable application fee of $160.00 (plus applicable taxes).

After completing Part I online, a PDF application file will be created for you and stored in your newly created Law Society online account. From your online account, you must print the application PDF and prepare it for submission to the Licensing and Accreditation Department according to the instructions provided in Part II of this webpage.

Part II requires you to submit to the Licensing and Accreditation Department a printed copy of your application along with required supporting documents. Please see Part II below on how to prepare and submit these documents to the Licensing and Accreditation Department.

If any of the following is received by the Licensing and Accreditation Department after the application deadline, a late filing fee of $75 (plus applicable taxes) will be applied to your account:

  • online application (Part I);
  • printed application (Part II);
  • supporting documents; or
  • application fee.


Applications with an outstanding application fee or late application fee or with incomplete documentation will not be processed. Please do not send original legal name documents as they will not be returned.

It is strongly recommended that you apply as soon as possible so that you have adequate time to print, prepare and submit your application with all required documents so that the complete application (with all required documents) is received by the deadline. Submitting and paying on time will ensure that you avoid paying a late fee and help ensure that you can register for the licensing examinations and experiential training program. Applicants are unable to be registered for any component of the licensing process until their application process is complete (Part I and Part II).

Applications are normally processed within 30 business days of receipt, but applicants will be contacted prior to such time if items are missing from their application submission. During peak application periods, it may take longer for applications and supporting documents to be processed.

Once your online account has been created (Part I) and your application and supporting documents have been submitted to the Law Society (Part II), please log in weekly to review any messages from the Licensing and Accreditation Department pertaining to your application, supporting documentation and registration.

Fee and Payment Information

The lawyer licensing process Fees Schedule is available on the Fees and Forms page of the website. Applicants who apply and pay the application fee by the application deadline are generally billed for the examination, study material and experiential training fees in February 2024. These fees must be paid by the applicable deadline referenced on each invoice. Please see this section of the website for additional Billing and Payment Information.

Part I - Completing the Online Application

Personal Information Section

In this section of the online application, please provide your valid, personal and confidential email address to which you have regular access. This email should be valid for the length of your licensing term. Please do not use a school email address or an email address that you share with a friend, family member or colleague. Please ensure you are the only person accessing this account.

The Law Society gathers statistics on the composition of the professions to better understand demographic trends in the professions, to develop programs and initiatives within the mandate of the Law Society and to promote equality and diversity in the professions. The application will ask you to indicate your gender. The Law Society currently collects and reports information on gender using the options provided. We acknowledge that the gender options may not represent everyone. While we work towards implementing more inclusive options, we welcome applications from everyone and encourage applicants to select “Non-Binary, similar, other” if they don’t identify with the other options.

It is your responsibility to update any information each time there is a change, up to the day of your call to the Bar.

Proof of Legal Name

Legal name information must be entered as it appears on the legal name document(s) you will be submitting with your application. The acceptable forms for proof of legal name are listed on the first screen of the online application. Each legal name document submitted must be reviewed, verified and certified by a guarantor or referee (more information on this certification requirement and instructions are in Part II below).

In addition to your legal name, you may also enter an assumed name that is different from your legal name in the area provided. Please note that the Law Society may use the assumed name in certain communications, but your full legal name will be used on all official documents, including the printed licensing certificate provided by the Law Society upon your licensure. Your full legal name will also be used if you are called to the Bar at any in-person ceremony.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, please note that the following are not proof of your full legal name: Baptismal Certificate, Registration of Birth, Driver’s Licence and Certificate of Indian Status card.

Please ensure that you include a copy of both sides of the legal name document(s) you submit with your application.

For applicants who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents:

  1. Canadian Birth Certificate (both sides)
  2. Canadian Citizenship Identification (both sides) Wallet-sized Canadian Citizenship ID card or the citizenship certificate issued after February 1, 2012. Both sides of the ID card are required as your name of common usage on the photo side is not acceptable. Those who obtained Canadian citizenship prior to February 15, 1977, must submit a certified copy of the document issued at the time by Citizenship Canada.
  3. Canadian Immigration Record (both sides)
    Permanent Resident Card from the government of Canada or an IMM 1000, IMM 5292 or IMM 5688 Form.
  4. Canadian Certificate of Birth Abroad (both sides)
  5. Statement of Birth or Statement of Live Birth (both sides)
  6. Canadian Passport (photocopy and submit the page that includes your photo and identification details only) 
  7. Official Canadian Name Change Certificate 
    Applicants must also submit one of a), b), c), d), e) or f)
  8. Marriage Certificate
    This must only be submitted by those applicants adopting a spousal surname. Applicants must also submit one of  a), b), c), d), e) or f).


For applicants who are nether Canadian citizens nor permanent residents:

If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, a passport will be acceptable as proof of your legal name. In addition, you must provide legal name documentation issued by the Canadian government that permits you to enter, reside, study and work (if not exempted from the experiential training requirement) in Canada during the time you are completing the licensing process.

If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, your must refer to the “Articling Program” and the “Law Practice Program” section on this page for additional documentation required to demonstrate your entitlement to work in Canada and fulfil the experiential training component. You are personally responsible for obtaining such documentation from the relevant Canadian government agency or office and submitting it to your experiential training placement employer by their applicable deadline and prior to commencing any aspect of experiential training. This documentation must confirm your legal name and be valid at the time of application and at the time of your call to the Bar. Should your documentation expire while you are in the licensing process, it is your responsibility to provide a valid updated document to your employer as soon as possible.

Graduates of Ontario Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC) programs have completed their experiential training requirement and are not required to complete experiential training during the licensing process. However, graduates of IPC programs who choose to article or attend the Law Practice Program and who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must provide the additional documentation required to demonstrate their entitlement to work in Canada.

The following documents are accepted by the Law Society as proof of your legal name if you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. You must submit these with your application. If you do not provide these at the time of application, your application will not be processed, and you will not be registered for an examination or  be able to commence your experiential training.

A copy of the identification/photo page of your passport and one of the following documents is required:

  • Your valid Temporary Resident Visa issued by the Canadian government;
  • Your valid Study Permit, issued by the Canadian government; or
  • Your valid Work Permit, issued by the Canadian government.


The Law Society’s Licensing and Accreditation Department accepts certain documents issued outside of Canada—namely, documents supporting applications for an exemption or abridgement and certain legal name documents such as marriage certificates issued abroad. As part of those and other administrative processes, we often receive documents that are not in English or French. Documents not issued in English or French must be translated by an Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) Certified Translator. Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring the translation is completed by an Ontario ATIO Certified Translator and is sent to the Licensing and Accreditation Department for review and verification.

You may wish to refer to ATIO's Directory of Certified Translators on its website at https://atio.on.ca/. Your document(s) will not be reviewed/processed unless they are accompanied by a translated document from an ATIO Certified Translator, as well as an affidavit attesting to the authenticity of the translation. 

An application is deemed incomplete if it lacks the required valid documentation that confirms your legal name. Applicants who cannot provide the above proof of legal name items at the time of application must do so as soon as they are able. However, these applicants will not be permitted to complete registration for any aspect of the licensing process until those documents are received and processed by the Licensing and Accreditation Department. 

It is your ongoing responsibility to keep the Law Society and your articling principal or work placement supervisor advised of any changes to your immigration status until you are called to the bar.

 Voluntary Information Section

The Law Society gathers statistics on the composition of the profession to better understand demographic trends in the profession, to develop programs and initiatives within the mandate of the Law Society and to promote equality and diversity in the profession.

The Law Society is committed to promoting equality and diversity in the legal profession and to enhancing legal services provided by and for Indigenous, Francophone and equality-seeking communities. Completing the section below is voluntary, and personally identifiable information collected is not disclosed publicly. The information may be made available in an aggregate form that does not identify individual candidates.

Good Character Section

The Law Society Act requires that an applicant for admission as a licensee of the Law Society be of good character. This is an ongoing requirement for applicants throughout their licensing term. Please see the Good Character webpage for more information.

In the application to be registered into the licensing process, all applicants must answer questions that assist the Law Society in determining whether the applicant is of good character.

Applicants must answer “yes” or “no” to each question in this section of the online application. If you answer “yes” to any question, you must provide an explanation and/or document(s) related to the response. If you include additional documentation in paper copy, the documents must accompany your application when it is submitted. You must also sign and clearly print your name, phone number and address on all additional documents. The applications of those applicants who do not provide the required explanation will not be processed.

These questions allow applicants to self-report conduct or circumstances that may raise issues about the applicant’s character. If an applicant provides an affirmative answer to any of these questions, the applicant must provide full and detailed particulars (which may include supporting documentation).

Where an applicant has answered a good character question in the affirmative, the Law Society will escalate the application for review. The Law Society will not review information relating to good character until the applicant submits all application process requirements. Applicants who do not submit all application process requirements will not be able to move forward in the licensing process and their good character information will not be reviewed, which will delay their registration and licensing.

An affirmative answer to any of the good character questions does not necessarily mean that an applicant will be refused admission to the Law Society. The information provided by each applicant is reviewed by the Law Society’s Professional Regulation Division. The Law Society Act provides that a licence may only be refused after a hearing by the Hearing Division of the Law Society Tribunal. Where the Hearing Division makes an order refusing an applicant’s application for a licence, the Law Society will remove the applicant from the licensing process, and the applicant will cease to be a candidate in that licensing process. Information about the Law Society Tribunal, including the rules of practice and procedure governing hearings and appeals of decisions, is published on the Law Society Tribunal website.

The Law Society is committed to working toward reconciliation with First Nation, Status, non-Status, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. When reviewing licensing applications, the Law Society applies the principles established by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Gladue and Ipeelee decisions and as such considers the unique systemic or background factors that may have played a part in those incidents to which an applicant’s responses to these good character questions refer.

Candidates must immediately notify the Licensing and Accreditation Department in writing if their answers to any of the good character questions change at any time during their licensing term. A Good Character Amendment Form is available on the Fees and Forms page.

Upon successfully completing the licensing process and meeting all requirements to become licensed to practise law, applicants are required to sign an undertaking that they have maintained good character throughout their licensing term and up to the day they became licensed.

Criminal Records Suspensions (“Administrative Pardons”) Granted Under the Criminal Records Act

When to answer “no” to question 1:

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence for which you were granted an administrative pardon under s. 4.1(1) of the Criminal Records Act and the offence for which the record is suspended did not result in a sentence of incarceration and is not listed in Schedules 1 or 2 of the Criminal Records Act, then you should answer “NO” to question 1.

When to answer “yes” to question 1:

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence and

(a) you received a sentence that resulted in a term of incarceration,
(b) the offence is listed in Schedule 1 or 2 of the Criminal Records Act, or
(c) both (a) and (b),

then, even if you have been granted an administrative pardon, you must answer “YES” to question 1. You should provide particulars and relevant documentation, including a copy of the pardon.

Youth Criminal Justice Act and Young Offenders Act Matters

When to answer “no” to question 1:

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act or the Young Offenders Act and that finding or conviction resulted in a youth sentence or you consented to an extrajudicial sanction and

(a) you were discharged absolutely, or
(b) the youth sentence or disposition has ceased to have effect,
then you should answer “NO” to question 1.

When to answer “yes” to question 1:

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act or the Young Offenders Act and that finding or conviction resulted in an adult sentence or a mandatory prohibition order under either s. 51 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act or s. 20.1 of the Young Offenders Act, then you must answer “YES” to question 1.

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence by way of summary conviction or indictment under the Youth Criminal Justice Act or the Young Offenders Act and that finding or conviction resulted in a youth sentence and you were subsequently found guilty of, or convicted of, an adult offence and you have not received a free pardon, a conditional pardon or an administrative pardon for both the youth and adult offences, then you must answer “YES” to question 1.

Additional Information

If you have received a free pardon, a conditional pardon or an administrative pardon for a youth offence that resulted in an adult sentence or an adult criminal record, consult the guidance in the relevant sections above or below.

If you are or were subject to a mandatory prohibition order under either the Youth Criminal Justice Act or the Young Offenders Act, then you must provide particulars and relevant documentation.

Pardons Granted under the Criminal Code

When to answer “no” to question 1:

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence for which you have been granted a free pardon under s. 748(2) of the Criminal Code, then you should answer “NO” to question 1.

When to answer “yes” to question 1:

If you were found guilty of, or convicted of, an offence for which you have been granted a conditional pardon under s. 748(2) of the Criminal Code, then you must answer “YES” to Question 1 and provide particulars and relevant documentation, including a copy of the pardon and its conditions.

You Answered “NO” to Question 1 – How Do You Answer Question 15?

If you answered “NO” to Question 1 about an offence for which you were granted a pardon or criminal record suspension, or that was a youth offence, you do not have to disclose this offence in response to Question 15. However, you must disclose under Question 15 any sanction or judgment against you issued by a tribunal or civil court in a matter related to or arising from such offence.

For example, if you were convicted of a Criminal Code offence that is not listed in Schedule 1 or 2 of the Criminal Records Act and no term of incarceration resulted and you were granted a criminal record suspension, but because of that conviction you were subject to proceedings before a professional disciplinary tribunal resulting in sanctions against you, you would answer “NO” to Question 1 and “YES” to Question 15. Under Question 15, you are not required to disclose the Criminal Code conviction, but you must disclose the sanctions by the disciplinary tribunal.

Proof of Education Section

Applicants seeking licensure as a lawyer in Ontario are required to have one of the following documents to commence any of the mandatory components of the licensing process:

  • A Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school in Canada; or
  • A Certificate of Qualification (“CQ”) from the National Committee on Accreditation (“NCA”).
 

A final official law school transcript (LL.B. or J.D.) or NCA CQ must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Licensing and Accreditation Department as soon as it becomes available. A law school transcript or NCA certificate submitted by an applicant is not considered official documentation for the purposes of registration in the Law Society’s licensing process. It is your responsibility to request and ensure that the issuing institution sends a final LL.B./J.D. transcript or CQ directly to the Licensing and Accreditation Department so that it is received on or before the applicable due date. Transcripts must confirm issuance of the LL.B. or J.D. degree or NCA CQ.

Sending a Final Transcript/CQ

Accredited Canadian law schools or the NCA should send final official transcripts by mail/courier to the Licensing and Accreditation Department at the Law Society of Ontario or by secure email or via the MYCREDS platform to:  licensingprocess@lso.ca

LL.B./J.D. applicants

LL.B./J.D. applicants must accurately enter their “Degree Awarded or Expected Date.” The date entered must reflect applicants' actual graduation/convocation month and when their degree was conferred or is expected to be conferred upon them, not when law school examinations or classes conclude. For many applicants, the convocation month is usually June.

To be eligible to commence the experiential training component of the licensing process, LL.B./J.D. applicants must ensure that the law school has submitted evidence of the degree completed before the applicant starts articling or by the posted deadline to register for the Law Practice Program, as applicable.

Applicants who receive information of an incomplete result for any law school examination or course that affects the conferring of their LL.B. or J.D. degree, must immediately notify the Law Society in writing and comply with the Licensing Process Policies on withdrawal.

NCA applicants

When applying online, NCA applicants must enter their “Degree Awarded or Expected Date” as the month in which they expect to receive notification of successful completion of the NCA requirements and the issuance of their CQ, not the month in which they complete their final examinations. This month is typically two months after the successful completion of the last NCA requirement necessary for the issuance of a CQ. NCA applicants should generally apply to the licensing process approximately 3 months prior to the completion of their final NCA examination. In addition, applicants should only request that the NCA send a final CQ once the applicant has fully applied to the licensing process. CQs sent to the Law Society when an NCA applicant has not yet fully applied will not be stored and kept on file by the Law Society and must be re-submitted once the applicant applies to the licensing process.

To be eligible to write a licensing examination, NCA applicants must ensure that the NCA has submitted a copy of the applicant’s CQ to the Licensing and Accreditation Department on or before the examination registration deadline.

To be eligible to commence the experiential training component of the licensing process, NCA applicants must ensure that the NCA has submitted a copy of the applicant’s NCA CQ to the Licensing and Accreditation Department before the applicant starts articling or by the posted deadline to register for the Law Practice Program, as applicable.

NCA applicants who are attending a law school course at a university and cannot receive their CQ prior to commencing the licensing process should contact the Licensing and Accreditation Department immediately for further instructions and withdrawal information. The withdrawal policy can be found in the Licensing Process Policies. The Withdrawal Request form may be found on the Fees and Forms webpage.

Experiential Training Selection

The Experiential Training Program is a required component of the lawyer licensing process. All applicants must choose one of the experiential training options described below.

Applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must provide to their experiential training employer the particulars of their work permit or other proof of entitlement to be lawfully employed in Canada so that they may commence the experiential training component.

Option 1 - Articling Program

Applicants may apply to the lawyer licensing process without having secured an articling position. However, in order to commence and obtain credit for articles, applicants must have fully applied and become registered in the process. All applicants must ensure that confirmation of the completion of their CQ or law degree is received prior to commencing articles.

The articling program requires candidates registered in the process to work for the prescribed term with an approved articling principal. Individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must provide their experiential training employer the particulars of their work permit or other proof of entitlement to be lawfully employed in Canada.

The Law Society will not recognize any time served during an articling placement with an unapproved articling principal or when an applicant has not fully applied to the licensing process. Therefore, candidates are required to confirm that their principal has been approved to serve as an articling principal before starting the placement. See Information for Articling Principals.

Candidates are responsible for familiarizing themselves with all policies and procedures and completing all required documents associated with the commencement of their articling term within the required timelines. All forms that are to be submitted may be downloaded from the licensing process website under "Fees and Forms." It is each candidate’s responsibility to complete and file the Articles of Clerkship form by no later than 10 business days after the start of the candidate’s articling placement. Please see the Articling Candidates section of the website regarding the filing requirements and other important information regarding the Articling Program.

Candidates who choose to write a licensing examination as a first attempt (barrister, solicitor or both) during their articling term are permitted 7 uninterrupted business days’ leave from articling duties to study for and to write each examination. This designated time, which totals up to 14 business days, must be added to the end of the articling term and should form part of the articling contract. Candidates and articling principals are expected to work together to agree on the scheduling of a leave to study.

Option 2: The 2024-25 Law Practice Program (LPP)

The LPP consists of a four-month training course and a four-month work placement. The program is currently scheduled to be held once during each licensing cycle. The LPP is provided by Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in English and by the University of Ottawa in French.

Please select this option if you plan to attend the LPP in 2024. Please note that a deadline for registration is applicable. Please see the Dates to Remember page for further information on selection and payment deadlines of the LPP as it becomes available. Individuals who are NOT Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must, prior to the commencement of the experiential training component, provide to their experiential training employer particulars of their work permit or other proof of entitlement to be lawfully employed in Canada.

The University of Ottawa requires that candidates enrolled in the LPP be fluent in French to maximize success in the interactions, skills activities and assessments. Candidates who have not previously studied law in French will be required to successfully complete a language proficiency examination before being accepted into the French LPP. The proficiency examination will be administered by the University of Ottawa. Further information is available on the University of Ottawa’s LPP site.

Option 3:

Please select this option if you are actively seeking articles at the time of application but have not yet secured a position. If your situation changes after you apply, you are required to update the Licensing and Accreditation Department in writing.

Option 4:

Please select this option if you do not intend to commence the experiential training component during the licensing year you are applying to, or if you intend to seek an exemption from the requirement.

Applicants are to review the Lawyer Licensing Process Policies for further information regarding completing all lawyer licensing process requirements within the allotted time.

Option 5: Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC)

IPC graduates are generally expected to select this option indicating they have already satisfied the experiential training component of the lawyer licensing process.

If an IPC graduate intends to complete additional experiential training, they must make one of the other selections that is appropriate to their situation (articling or the LPP).

Note: Experiential training fees will apply to any candidate who intends to complete experiential training during the licensing process.

Accommodation Section

Applicants may request accommodation in the licensing process based on a ground listed in the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19. For details, see the Law Society’s Accommodations webpage.

Applicants must submit accommodation requests by email to examinationaccommodation@lso.ca at the same time as they submit their licensing process application.

If a need for accommodation arises or changes during the licensing process, candidates must submit a new or amended complete request. This must be done as soon as the candidate discovers the existence of, or the change in, the need for accommodation, and, in any event, no later than the deadline posted.

Forms, submission requirements and further information about accommodation request deadlines and the approval process are available on the Accommodations webpage. Please address all accommodation-related enquiries and submissions to Examination Administration at examinationaccommodation@lso.ca.

Licensing Examination Section

In this section of the application, you must indicate your selections for the barrister and solicitor licensing examinations. Examination dates, venues and methods of delivery are subject to change.

Examination locations outside of Toronto have capacity constraints; as a result, location selections outside of Toronto are not guaranteed. If required, priority will be given to candidates whose address on file with the Law Society is closest to their selected examination location. Candidates will be notified at least four weeks prior to the examination sitting if their location must be changed.

In April before each licensing cycle commences, the Law Society will provide candidates who have paid the required fees with access to the necessary digital study materials to commence self-study preparation for the lawyer licensing examinations. The fees for the licensing examinations and study materials are due in April for those writing in the summer sitting and also for those who wish to receive examination study materials when they are released in April. Candidates are to review the Dates to Remember  page and their invoice for precise payment deadline dates and study material release dates.

Before sitting a licensing examination, candidates must review the Licensing Examination Rules and Protocol. Candidates are strongly encouraged to  also thoroughly review the Law Society’s  Guide to Licensing Examinations.

Declaration, Confirmation and Agreement

Before you submit the online application, you are required to declare and indicate your agreement to the declaration and obligations of the application. You must declare that the information you have provided in your application and any supporting documents is complete, true and correct and that you understand that providing false or misleading information to the Law Society in relation to your application will result in your not being licensed under the Law Society Act.

Once you agree to the declaration and obligations online, you will be asked to submit your application fee payment online with a valid credit card. The application fee is non-refundable. Payment may also be made by sending a certified cheque or money order directly to the Accounts Office of the Law Society. Payment must be received by the deadline to avoid a late fee.  

Once you have completed and submitted the online application, you will receive information on how to complete Part II of the application process in a message to your online account. Please also review the information in Part II below for further instructions.

You may log in to your Law Society online account about 15 minutes after completing your online application to open and print your application document for Part II of the process and to review the online message referenced above.

Part II - Preparing and Submitting the Printed Application

Process for Certification of Documents by a Guarantor or Referee

As an applicant to the licensing process, you are required to submit documentation verifying your identity. To do this, you must provide the Law Society with one or more (as applicable) legal name documents from the list of documents currently accepted by the Law Society.

In addition, you must submit a colour passport-sized photo with your printed application.

ll documents and photos must be certified by a guarantor or referee who meets the requirements set out below.

What is a guarantor?

A guarantor is a person other than the applicant who can confirm the applicant’s identity and who may be called upon to confirm personal information. The applicant must not assist the guarantor in performing the guarantor’s duties.

A guarantor can be a relative or someone living at the applicant’s address if the guarantor meets all the requirements listed below.
 
The guarantor must:

  • be a Canadian citizen;
  • have known you (the applicant) personally for at least 2 years; and
  • work in a listed occupation or profession in Canada (see section below on “Eligible Occupation or Profession of a Guarantor or Referee”).

Note that the Law Society reserves the right to request a new guarantor.
 

What if I do not have a guarantor?

If you cannot provide a guarantor that meets the above requirements, you may have a person (“referee”) certify your documents. Referee information must be provided in the specified area of the printed application. The referee can be either:

  1. a Canadian citizen who works in a listed occupation or profession who has known you personally for less than two years but who can confirm your identity and may be called upon to confirm personal information about you,
    or
  2. a non-Canadian citizen who works in a listed occupation or profession, has known you personally for at least 2 years, can confirm your identity and may be called upon to confirm personal information about you.
 

Guarantors and referees must perform the following 4 tasks free of charge:

1. Enter the required information in the guarantor/referee section of the licensing process application.

2. Complete the following mandatory fields on the printed application: 

-            The amount of time they have known the applicant.

-            Their personal and professional contact information.

-            Their field of practice/profession/occupation.

-            Their relationship to the applicant(if any).

-            The date and their signature.

3. Write "I certify this to be a true likeness of [insert applicant’s name]" on the back of the applicant’s photo and sign below this statement on the photo.

4. Sign and date a copy of each document to support the applicant’s identity.

The guarantor or referee must be a member of a listed eligible occupation or profession (see section below).

Eligible Occupation or Profession of a Guarantor or Referee

The guarantor or referee must be currently approved by the appropriate applicable authority to work in one of the following occupations or professions:

• Lawyer • Paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario •Judge •Justice of the Peace • Notary Public
• Medical Doctor • Psychologist • Dentist • Pharmacist • Veterinarian • Chiropractor
•Professional Engineer • Architect • Professional Accountant
• Chief of a band recognized under the Indian Act
• Mayor • Police Officer or Constable
• Dean, Associate Dean, Registrar, or Professor at a university faculty of law or within a paralegal education program at a college accredited by the Law Society
• Senior Administrator, Director or Manager at a law school
• Municipal clerk or treasurer who is a member of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario
• A religious authority authorized by applicable law to perform marriages
 

The above list is not a recognition or endorsement by the Law Society of professional status or superior qualifications.

To certify documents that must accompany the submitted copy of the licensing process application form, the applicant must:

  • present all original documents to a guarantor or referee who must attest to their authenticity;
  • present the guarantor or referee with photocopies of these original documents; and
  • ensure that the guarantor or referee confirms all photocopies to be true copies by completing and signing the appropriate section contained in the application, thereby attesting to their authenticity.


You must submit with your application only true copies of documents signed by your guarantor or referee.

Submitting Photos

You must submit one colour passport photo, taken within the last 12 months. Print your full legal name in ink on the back of the photograph as it appears on the legal name document(s) you will be submitting. Black and white photos will not be accepted. The photo submitted must be an original passport photo that complies with the Canadian passport photo requirements available online. Computer printed or generated photos will not be accepted.

Attach by paperclip the photo to the designated box on your printed PDF application. Do not glue, staple or tape the photo onto the PDF application.

The statement "I certify this to be a true likeness of [insert name of applicant].” must be written by the guarantor or referee on the back of the passport photo. The guarantor or referee must also sign and date the back of the certified passport photo. The photo will be used to produce your Law Society candidate photo identification card, without which you will not be permitted to write any licensing examinations.

Submitting Proof of Legal Name

When submitting your application, you must include a true copy of the document(s) you indicated will serve as your proof of full legal name when you applied online, certified by a guarantor or referee.

It is your responsibility to provide the appropriate documentation to the Licensing and Accreditation Department. If you are submitting a Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit or Work Permit, you must ensure the Licensing and Accreditation Department receives a certified copy with your application. If you do not, you will not be registered as a candidate in the licensing process and you will not be able to commence experiential training or write a licensing examination. All such documents must be current and valid until the date you are licensed. 

Please ensure your documentation confirms the name you have entered on the online application. If you are unable to provide such documentation, please contact the Licensing and Accreditation Department as soon as possible.

Submitting Good Character Information

Information regarding the review process is available on the Good Character Requirement webpage.

All good character documents in support of a "yes" answer must be included with your application package. You must sign and clearly print your name and address on all supporting good character documents.

If you provided an electronic file in support of your good character answer when applying online, any files you provide will be saved in your Law Society online account. You must print these files and include them with your paper copy submission to the Licensing and Accreditation Department. If you indicated that you would be including documentation in paper copy in support of your good character answers, you must include the documents that you listed in the text entry area of your online application.

Applications without the required explanation will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

Signing the Declaration and Obligations page

You must sign and date the printed PDF application form and ensure your guarantor or referee fills in the required information and signs and dates the area indicated at the end of your application. By signing the application, you agree to follow all the rules and regulations of the Law Society of Ontario as well as the Licensing Process Policies and are confirming your declaration and obligations as a candidate in the licensing process.

Application Fee and Late Fee Payments

To avoid an application late fee, you must ensure that your payment is received by the Law Society by the application deadline. A late filing fee of $75.00 (plus applicable taxes) is payable if your complete online application, paper copy or your application, application fee payment, or any supporting documents are received after the application due date.

Please see the Billing and Payment Information webpage for more information.

Preparing the Application Package

Your PDF application contains a checklist on the last page. Please refer to the checklist to assist you before submitting Part II of your application. The checklist should NOT be submitted with your application.

Part II of the application process requires you to do the following by the application deadline: 

  1. Log into your Lawyer Licensing Process User Account and access your PDF application under "My Documents." The file is created about 15 minutes after you complete the online application process.
  2. Print the PDF of your online application on 8 ½ X 11 paper.
  3. Print your supporting documentation for the Good Character section, if applicable.
  4. Collect all documentation required to be submitted with the paper copy of your application (particularly your proof of legal name document and your passport photo).
  5. Copy all your documents and have your application and all required supporting documentation certified by a guarantor or referee. Please see above for more information on the guarantor and referee requirements.
  6. Mail, courier or, during business hours, drop off your application and the required supporting documents to the Law Society. The package and payment must be received by the Licensing and Accreditation Department on or before December 1, 2023, by 5 p.m. E.S.T. or a late filing fee will be applied to your account. Note: Mailed/couriered application packages must be received by the deadline date, or a late fee will be applied. The Law Society is not responsible for lost or delayed documents that are received after the deadline.​
  7. If you require accommodations for an examination, ensure that you send the required information to examinationaccommodation@lso.ca at the same time as you submit your licensing process application.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

 
PLEASE DO NOT FOLD OR BEND THE APPLICATION
Submit the application package in person or by courier or mail it in a 9" X 12" envelope to:

Lawyer Licensing Process - Application
Law Society of Ontario
130 Queen Street West, 2nd floor
Toronto, ON
M5H 2N6 

You may pay all fees online by credit card prior to the posted deadline or send a certified cheque or money order to: 

Accounts Office

Lawyer Licensing Process - Application Fee Payment
Law Society of Ontario
130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 2N6 

After you Submit Part II:

Once you have applied to the licensing process online (Part I), you have submitted your printed application (Part II) and the Law Society has received and verified Part I and Part II, the Licensing and Accreditation Department will message you via your Law Society online account if any item is missing or must be resubmitted, along with other relevant and time-sensitive information. Once you submit Part II of the application, you are required to check your Law Society online account weekly and more regularly in the time leading up to applicable examination deadlines.

During the licensing process, you must inform the Law Society of (i) any changes to your mailing address, telephone number or email address and (ii) any changes of information relevant to the Law Society’s verification of your eligibility for licensure (including changes that relate to circumstances that occurred both prior to and after you submitted your application). If you fail to notify the Law Society of certain information, your status in the licensing process or your eligibility for licensure may be affected.

If your application information changes at any time after you apply online, please log in to your Law Society online account to obtain the Application Amendment Form. This form must be used to submit changes to your application regarding proof of education information or proof of legal name.

Following the application deadline, specific invoicing and registration information will also be sent to your online account in February if you have elected to write an examination in the summer, fall or winter examinations.

After you apply, ensure that your law school transcript or NCA Certificate of Qualification is sent directly to the Licensing and Accreditation Department by the issuing institution. You cannot submit these documents with your application. You are required to request these documents from your institution so that the institution may send them directly to the Licensing and Accreditation Department on your behalf once you have completed your J.D./LL.B./NCA CQ.

Please review and bookmark the Dates to Remember and Licensing Examination sections of the website for detailed information regarding deadlines and preparation for your licensing examinations.

ALL FEES, DATES, VENUES AND METHODS OF DELIVERY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Terms or Concepts Explained