In Brazil, becoming a judge is a rigorous and competitive process designed to ensure that only well-prepared and qualified professionals enter the Judiciary. A recent development in this path is the implementation of the Exame Nacional da Magistratura (ENAM) — a standardized national exam introduced in 2024.
What is the ENAM?
The Exame Nacional da Magistratura (ENAM) is a national exam established by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) as a mandatory prerequisite for candidates who wish to apply for judicial positions through public selection processes (called concursos públicos).
In other words, no one can apply for a judicial career exam in any state or federal court unless they have passed the ENAM. The purpose of this measure is to standardize the entry requirements across the country and ensure a minimum level of legal knowledge and preparedness.
Structure of the ENAM
The ENAM consists of an objective written test with 80 multiple-choice questions, covering a wide range of legal subjects, including:
- Constitutional Law
- Civil Law and Civil Procedure
- Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
- Administrative and Tax Law
- Business Law
- Human Rights
- Philosophy of Law and Legal Sociology
- Judicial Ethics and International Law
Candidates must score at least 70% to pass.
Who Can Take the ENAM?
To take the ENAM, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a degree in Law from a recognized institution.
- Have at least 3 years of legal activity after obtaining the degree. This experience must be proven and can include work as a lawyer, public defender, prosecutor, notary, or judicial clerk/assistant, among others.
What Happens After the ENAM?
Passing the ENAM does not automatically appoint someone as a judge. Instead, it grants the candidate eligibility to apply for judicial positions in courts across Brazil. Once qualified, the candidate may apply for specific judicial exams (concursos para magistratura), which involve several additional stages:
- Preliminary objective test (specific to each court)
- Written essay and practical sentencing exam
- Oral examination before a judging panel
- Psychological and medical evaluation
- Background check and public scrutiny
- Final classification and appointment
These steps are highly selective and usually span several months, sometimes over a year.
Why Was the ENAM Created?
Before the ENAM, each Brazilian court would independently set its requirements and apply its own initial exams. This often led to inconsistency in evaluation and opportunities. The ENAM ensures uniformity and quality control in the first step of the judicial selection process, promoting fairness and transparency.
Judicial Vocation in Brazil: Reflections from the Supreme Court and Superior Court Justices
In Brazil, the notion of judicial vocation plays a vital role in the selection, training, and long-term commitment of judges to the judiciary. Leading figures from the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) have emphasized that technical competence alone is not enough — integrity, empathy, and a genuine sense of vocation are indispensable to fulfilling the constitutional role of a judge.
Minister Benedito Gonçalves: Valuing Vocation to Prevent Attrition
Minister Benedito Gonçalves, Director-General of the National School for the Formation and Improvement of Magistrates (ENFAM), warns that overlooking the candidate’s vocation leads to premature exits from the judicial career. He notes that many individuals enter the judiciary seeking job stability or prestige, but lack the deeper calling required for a life committed to justice. For him, recognizing the social function of judging is essential.
Minister Mauro Campbell: ENAM as a Tool to Identify the Truly Called
Minister Mauro Campbell, also from the STJ and a prominent figure behind the National Magistrate Exam (ENAM), states that the new exam was designed to identify candidates who are truly called to the judiciary. The goal is not only to test legal knowledge but to evaluate reasoning, decision-making skills, ethical perception, and humanistic awareness — core traits of a competent and principled judge.
Minister Luís Roberto Barroso: Vocation and Integrity as Judicial Pillars
According to Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, current President of the Supreme Court, vocation is inseparable from integrity and impartiality. He argues that the judiciary must consist of individuals who are not only technically proficient but committed to democratic values and the dignity of the human person. Continuous legal education and character formation, in his view, are essential to nurturing this vocation.
Minister Cezar Peluso: Vocation as the Antidote to Biased Judgment
In his farewell address from the Supreme Court, Minister Cezar Peluso made a powerful statement: “No judge aware of his vocation condemns someone out of hatred.” His reflection emphasizes that vocation is the internal compass that ensures a judge acts with justice, restraint, and fidelity to fundamental rights, even under pressure.
Final Thoughts
The judicial path in Brazil is one of the most challenging legal careers, demanding not only technical excellence but also ethical maturity and public service commitment. The ENAM now serves as a national gateway to this mission, reinforcing the principle that becoming a judge is not just about passing exams — it’s about being prepared to uphold justice with integrity.
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