You may apply for an exemption from all or part of PREP if you:
- have successfully completed a bar admission course in another Canadian jurisdiction; or
- have engaged in the active practice of law in a common law jurisdiction outside of Canada for at least five full years.
How to apply
Address your written exemption request, along with confirmation that your principal agrees to the request, to the Credentials & Licensing Department and email it to CredentialsLicensing@lsbc.org. You will also need to arrange for the following:
If you completed a bar admission course in another Canadian jurisdiction
- A transcript issued directly from the provider of your former bar admission training course
If your former bar admission course was pre-September 2026 PREP, you do not need to send a transcript. Instead, provide your CPLED Student ID and PREP session dates in your request for an exemption.
If you have been engaged in the active practice of law in a common law jurisdiction outside of Canada for at least 5 years
- A Certificate of Standing produced within 30 days of the application and sent from the issuing jurisdiction directly to the Law Society (registration@lsbc.org) or, if necessary, by post to Registration & Licensee Services Department, 845 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4Z9.
- A letter from someone in your former jurisdiction who can confirm your legal employment and practice experience in that jurisdiction – for example, an employer, a judge, or a professional colleague if you were a sole practitioner. Include more than one letter if necessary to cover this history
More information
If you have any questions, contact the Registration & Licensee Services Department:
Email: registration@lsbc.org
Phone: 604.605.5311
Toll-free: 1.800.903.5300