Become A Limited Practice Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

Feb. 3, 2021: We have heard of reports of problems with the facial recognition software in the past and how those problems may have had a disparate impact on racial minorities. We acknowledge the concerns raised and take them seriously. We are using the best available information to eliminate and reduce barriers and biases as much as possible. We also want to clarify how identity verification issues and flagging will be handled.

Applicants will not be prevented from taking the exam due to identity verification issues 
As in the case of the in-person exam, we will be confirming applicants identities immediately prior to each exam session. For the remote exam, Exam ID will take a baseline photo during the first mock exam which will then be used to compare with the photo taken at the start of each session. Examinees have complete control over which photo to submit and can override any suggestions by the software for a better picture. The software does not notify examinees of the identity confirmation results. This process will run in the background and will not prevent any applicants from proceeding with the administration of the exam due to identity confirmation issues. Any issues with identity as indicated by the software will be resolved manually by WSBA employees after the exam. Examinees will be contacted about identity issues only if there is some question about their identify that cannot be resolved by staff comparison of the photos.

Applicants will not be interrupted during exam sessions due to flagging 
The ExamMonitor software will record the examinee and the examinee’s screen during the entire session.ExamSoft’s artificial intelligence (AI) program will be applied to the recordings after the monitoring files have been uploaded to ExamSoft. Certain behaviors by the examinee will cause the software to flag that point in the recording for review after the exam. All flagged footage is then reviewed by at least one human proctor to determine whether further analysis is necessary. Because the flags are applied to the recordings after the exam, examinees will not be delayed in starting the exam sessions and will not be interrupted during the exam sessions. All flags not resolved by ExamSoft’s proctors will be reviewed by WSBA staff after the exam and most of them will be found to be benign behavior.  For example, AI might flag a dog barking in the background but that would be cleared upon human review. Examinees will be contacted about flags only if there is some question about their behavior during an exam session.

Jan. 25, 2021: To apply for the LPO exam, please use the online admissions portal. You will not be able to start the online application until Feb. 1, 2021.

Dec. 16, 2020: Please review the Remote LPO/LLLT Exam FAQs

Dec. 3, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Dec. 3 the Washington Supreme Court issued an order  authorizing the Washington State Bar Association to administer the winter 2021 LPO exam remotely. A remote exam means that you will be able to take the exam using your computer at any location with a reliable internet connection. There will not be an in-person exam in Tacoma as previously scheduled.

We will be using ExamSoft as the provider for the testing software. Each applicant must register with Examsoft and pay for and download the remote testing software. The cost for the remote testing software is $100. Fees paid to Examsoft are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Additional instructions for acquiring the remote testing software through Examsoft will be provided to you at a later date.

We will provide additional information here as it becomes available. If you do not want to take a remote exam, you may transfer your application and fee to the July 2021 LPO exam which is scheduled to take place in Yakima, Washington. Alternatively, you may choose to withdraw from the exam completely by the appropriate deadline and receive a partial refund.

Please email admissions@wsba.org if you wish to transfer or withdraw your application, or if you have any questions.

Nov. 1, 2020: We currently are working on a new online admissions portal. As such, LPO and LLLT exam applications will be online only beginning Feb. 1, 2021. Paper or PDF applications will not be accepted.

Jan. 14, 2021: Mock exam and exam day forms posted here.

LPO Exam Dates

Summer Exam 2021

Other LPO Exam Dates

Feb. 21, 2022, LPO exam at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Washington

LPO Exam Requirements

To become a Limited Practice Officer (LPO), you must be at least 18 years old and pass the LPO examination. The LPO examination consists of three sections, a multiple choice test, an essay test and a performance test in which a sample closing transaction must be completed. The examination is scheduled to last four hours. The minimum passing standard for the examination is 75% for each section, and successful applicants are required to pass all three sections. In all cases, you must establish that you possess good moral character and the requisite fitness to practice law.

Preparing for the Exam

Applicants should have a thorough understanding and knowledge of:

• Real property and real estate law
• The LPO scope of practice and conditions to render LPO services as set forth in APR 12
• The LPO Rules of Professional Conduct (LPORPC)
• The suggested Study Topics
• Forms for a closing transaction.

You should be aware that only taking an LPO examination prep course is generally not sufficient to prepare you to pass the LPO examination. Please study multiple sources to prepare for the LPO examination.

Courses that you may find helpful include:

• A paralegal course in real property or real estate law at a local community college
• Rockwell Institute
• Other real estate education courses or seminars related to escrow and title
• The WSBA LPO Readmission Course (although not designed as an exam prep course, it does cover a lot of information included in the LPO exam)

Books that you may find helpful include:

• "The Complete Guide to Washington Real Estate Practices," Fourth Edition, by Alan Tonnon. Available from amazon.com or from the Law Offices of Alan Tonnon; 425-451-0130, ext. 3020
• "Washington Real Estate Law" by Alan Tonnon. Available from the Law Offices of Alan Tonnon; 425-451-0130, ext. 3020
• "Washington Real Estate Law," by Kathryn Haupt and David Rockwell. Available from Rockwell Institute; 800-221-9347

LPO exam refresher courses are offered by:

• The Escrow Association of Washington. They offer an LPO online study course. They also sell LPO Flash Cards.
• Washington Professional Seminars. Contact Fred Phillips at fredphillips@aol.com or 509-946-7530

Please note that this information is provided as a courtesy only; books and courses are not endorsed by the Limited Practice Board or the WSBA.

If you have questions about the LPO exam or admission process contact admissions@wsba.org. For general LPO related questions please contact LPO@wsba.org