Preliminary Examination Exemption for Foreign Graduates

Eligible candidates can apply for an exemption from the Preliminary Examination.

If you do not obtain this exemption, you will need to sit and pass the Preliminary Examination before you may sit the FE-1.

Applications for an exemption from the Preliminary Examination are made to the Education Officer and can be submitted by email to EducationOfficer@LawSociety.ie. 

The following documents must be submitted with your email request for an exemption:

  • A certified copy of your final degree certificate.
  • A certified copy of your passport.
  • Application fee of €75 to be paid by EFT:
    Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin 2
    Account name: The Law Society of Ireland
    Account number: 16304279
    Branch code: 90-00-17
    IBAN: IE09 BOFI 9000 1716 3042 79
    BIC: BOFIIE2D 

It is recommended that the NARIC report on your degree should accompany your application.

Certification

Your copy of your degree certificate and passport must be certified by:

  • a practising lawyer in an EU country;
  • an Embassy or Consulate;
  • a Commissioner for Oaths; or
  • a Notary Public.

The certificate must state that the documents are true copies of the original documents and that the original documents have been produced to the person so certifying. The identity and signature of the certifying person must be legible.

If your documents are not in English, an official translation must be provided.  The translated documents should also be certified.

As part of your application for an exemption you will be required to provide evidence that your degree is equivalent to a Level 7 or higher award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. You can find information about the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland on the NARIC Ireland database.

It is recommended that the NARIC report on your degree should accompany your application.

Proof of an exemption from the Preliminary Examination, or evidence of having passed the Preliminary Examination, will be required as part of the overall FE-1 application process. Applications for a Preliminary Examination Exemption should therefore be made well in advance of the FE-1 application deadline.

Education Officer

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