The exam for admission to the certificate of aptitude for the legal profession in Cameroon has been postponed. A modifying decree, published on March 25, 2026, by the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, has changed the dates initially scheduled for April.
According to decree n° 062/DPJ/SG/MJ of March 25, 2026, the written exams will now be held on May 9 and 10, 2026, in Yaoundé. They were initially scheduled for April 18 and 19. The decree also adjusts the weighting of the general knowledge test, reducing it from 4 to 3.
The initial decree n° 021/DPJ/SG/MJ of February 12, 2026, which set the conditions for organizing, the date, and the location of the aptitude test for the avocat training course, session 2026, retains all its other provisions. This first decree confirmed the organization of the exam and emphasized the importance of this step for law graduates aspiring to join the bar. It also specified the eligibility conditions, including Cameroonian nationality, enjoyment of civil rights, a minimum age of 21, and holding a law degree or equivalent qualification.
Candidates must provide a file including a stamped application, a receipt for 10,000 FCFA, a certificate of nationality, a copy of the birth certificate, criminal record n° 3 less than three months old, and a letter of sponsorship from a lawyer with at least five years of experience. The Bar had introduced a limitation on the number of sponsorship letters a lawyer could issue, sparking controversy.
The examination is supervised by a commission chaired by the President of the Bar Association and including law professors, experienced lawyers, and magistrates. Candidates must pass two written tests (case study or decision commentary and general knowledge) before taking an oral exam. Only those who have obtained at least 10/20 in the written exams are eligible for the oral exam, and final admission requires a minimum score of 12/20.
The publication of the amending decree was done as a matter of urgency. Candidates and stakeholders in the Cameroonian legal world will be closely following this measure. The aptitude test for the avocat training course is known for its selectivity, guaranteeing a high level of qualification and preserving the image of a credible justice system in Cameroon.
