Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier announced that those wishing to take the 2025 Bar Exams may start applying online on 8 January.

Lazaro-Javier, chair of the 2025 Bar Exams, stated that online applications will be processed through BARISTA via the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP) and will close at 3 p.m. on 17 March.

In Bar Bulletin No. 2 released on Monday, she emphasized that the application must be completed exclusively through BARISTA.

Applicants must create an account on PJP using their personal—not work or school—email address. Previous Bar takers and refreshers who uploaded requirements in the Bar Personal Login Unified System (Bar PLUS) for the 2020/2021 and 2022 exams must create new PJP accounts.

Those with existing BARISTA accounts should register using the same email address.

After logging in, applicants must choose their BARISTA icon, complete their profile, and fill out the application details. They will also need to upload documentary requirements, which vary depending on their situation.

The application fee is P12,800, payable through the BARISTA payment channel.

Lazaro-Javier noted that the payment date will be considered the filing date for determining the timeliness of the application.

The fee is non-refundable, but if a new applicant fails to complete their law degree, a refund request can be submitted to the Office of the Bar Confidant by 1 September 2025.

The SC also stated that applicants must submit physical copies of mandatory documents to the OBC within 10 calendar days of receiving the email notice of approval and availability of the application form.

Deferred documents may be uploaded and submitted from 16 June 2025 to 14 October 2025, and applicants need not wait for the online processing to submit the physical copies.

Failure to upload or submit the required documents may result in disqualification.

Applicants must also indicate their preferred testing area, choosing from three cities or localities, though there is no guarantee they will get their preferred location.

Applicants are advised to regularly check their email addresses for updates.

Lazaro-Javier also encouraged those considering the Bar Exams next year to use the holidays for introspection and preparation.