The Internet can often yield cumbersome search results that can create much confusion regarding the admission exams for attorneys.
This blog provides a detailed procedure on how a candidate attorney may register to write their attorneys' admission exams, otherwise known as "competency-based exams for attorneys" or formerly known as "board exams". These exams are but one of the mandatory requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in South Africa.
This blog encapsulates everything relevant for a candidate attorney to register to write the exams. The process offered here is to assist candidate attorneys; however, should you encounter any difficulties or have any issues, consult the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for a better understanding of the concept or contact the Legal Practice Council (LPC) for further assistance.
Tip:
- Legislation: The Act is made up of Sections and sub-sections.
- Rules: The Code of Conduct contains the Rules.
Wherever it refers to a "rule", you must consult the Code of Conduct or the LPC Rules or Uniform Rules of Court, not the Act.
1. Legal authority
The documents below can be found on the LPC's website.
- The Legal Practice Act
- The LPC Rules (as amended in 2023)
- The Legal Practice Regulations
- Section 36 - The Code of Conduct
It is a good idea to start an electronic "legislation library" for yourself. In keeping these documents close at hand, as during your career, reference to them will be required often.
2. When may a candidate attorney write the attorneys' admission exams?
A candidate attorney is eligible to write the attorneys' admission exams in terms of LPC Rule 21, read with Section 95(1)(n) and Section 26(1)(d),(2),(3) of the Legal Practice Act.
In terms of Rule 21.11 of the LPC Rules, the following must be completed beforehand.
A candidate may register to write the exams and is eligible to write under one of the following criteria:
- Must have already completed the minimum of 6 (six) months of practical vocational training (PVT) under contract of candidacy without cancellation or interruption — Rule 21.11.2. OR
- Have completed their two (2) year practical vocational training without cancellation or interruption — Rule 21.11.1. OR
- And only in the case of a person wishing to be admitted and enrolled as an attorney, has completed, to the satisfaction of Council, a programme of structured course work referred to in Regulation 6(1)(b) of the regulations made under section 109(1)(a) of the Act.
This means if you have completed an LPC-accredited 400-hour PVT programme, such as the GLR PVT School offered by the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law, you may have access to the exams, even if you have not secured or completed your legal articles yet. OR - The candidate is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
If a candidate writes the examination without complying with Rule 21.11, the examination paper/s will not be marked, no results will be released, and the examination so written will be invalid.
Note: PVT is formerly known as "practical legal training (PLT)" or is known as "law school". These terms are used interchangeably by legal practitioners and training institutions.
3. The LPC's registration process
There is no manual registration process to register for the examination.
Registration takes place online only.
Registration for the examination is done via the LPC's website, and the online form is enabled and accessible only when the registration period opens; until then, you will notice a "registration closed" message on the website.
There is an online exam registration form that the applicant will complete and submit. Follow the steps below to register.
3.1. Step 1: Registration and payment
Currently, the full registration fee of R345.00 is payable before completing the online application form to register. Obtain a PDF copy of the proof of payment and save this to your device.
Please revert to the LPC's website for their banking details and the payment reference to be used.
Important note: The fee of R345.00 is payable irrespective of the number of papers the candidate opts to write in one session. A candidate pays this amount whether they write all papers or just one paper. Refer to the LPC's website/fees to obtain the latest fees.
It is important to always confirm the banking details before making any payment. Payment can be made by EFT or direct deposit. Banking details can be found on the online registration form.
No fees will be refunded or transferred by the LPC should a candidate cancel or not write the examination. Once you have registered for the examinations, you will not be allowed to cancel and/or carry the payment over to the next examination, and the registration fee shall be forfeited.
Successful registration may not be transferred from one candidate to another.
3.2. Step 2: Gather your documents
When obtaining your documents, scan them as a PDF to a device beforehand, as you will be required to upload them to the online application form found on the LPC's website when you register.
The candidate attorney must upload (in PDF format) the following during registration:
- A certified copy of their identity document.
- A certified copy of the entire practical vocational training contract (this is the contract agreement between the candidate attorney and their principal (for the two years if you have opted for a two-year contract), as well as the LPC's confirmation of registration of the contract. OR
- A certified copy of the certification of attendance of the completed 400-hour practical vocational training certificate with any LPC-accredited training provider.
- Proof of payment made to the LPC for the exam registration.
3.3. Step 3: Complete the registration application form
- Visit the LPC's website.
- Navigate to the tab "Legal Practitioners / Examinations" (if registration is open, select the province of the local LPC office in your district).
- Input the necessary data into the following fields:
3.1. Select the venue of examination (oftentimes this is not available, but do select which area you prefer).
3.2. Select the paper/s to write (select YES for the ones you are writing AND select NO for the ones you are not writing).
3.3. Input your name, surname (as per the ID), identity number, contact information, residential address, university details, degree obtained, PVT contract number, date PVT commenced, and the name of your current principal.
3.4. Confirm the payment and payment reference — upload proof op payment.
3.5. Confirm eligibility to write exams — upload proof of PVT contract and completion of PVT programme attendance.
3.6. Sign the declaration form and submit the registration.
3.7. Make a print screen of the reference number returned.
3.8. Email confirmation of the registration should arrive shortly thereafter.
3.9. About 10-21 days after registration, the candidate will receive a formal letter from the LPC, confirming registration, which the candidate must print out and present to the invigilator on the day of the exams.
3.10. If no formal confirmation is received from the LPC after 21 days, contact the LPC to enquire about the registration.
Conclusion
At the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law, we aim to assist candidate attorneys in their final journey to admission as an attorney. We endeavour to offer an accurate, relevant and reliable source of information to ultimately improve the professional conduct and productivity of staff working in law firms.
Considering the volume of work and drafting knowledge one must know and further restraints such as working full-time and family responsibilities, a candidate will require at least three months to study to feel comfortable that they can answer the question papers with confidence.
Ensure that you plan accordingly and register to write your exams based on whether you will have sufficient time to focus on preparing for these challenging exams sufficiently.
People also ask
How much do you need to pass the board exams?
A pass is 50% or above per paper. Marks between 40% and 49% qualify for an oral examination. Marks below 40% are a rewrite.
How to prepare for the board exams?
If a candidate opts to write all the papers in one session, we recommend that they give themselves ample time to study. Generally, from three to six months, based on how quickly you study and how much time you have available.
Do not try to cram the night before the exam. The responsibility is yours to study and be honest with your circumstances.
The Gawie le Roux Institute of Law offers exam prep courses for all papers of the attorneys' admission exams. All study options include comprehensive notes.
This blog was last updated on 27/08/2025