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Bar Admission
Requirements
2010
National Conference of
Bar Examiners
and
American Bar Association
Section of Legal Education
and Admissions to the Bar
National Conference
of Bar Examiners
Comprehensive Guide to
Bar Admission
Requirements
2010
National Conference of
Bar Examiners
and
American Bar Association
Section of Legal Education
and Admissions to the Bar
National Conference
of Bar Examiners
Editors
Erica Moeser
Claire Huismann
This publication represents the joint work product of the National Conference of Bar Examiners and ABA Section of Legal
Education and Admissions to the Bar. The views expressed herein have not been approved by the House of Delegates or
Board of Governors of the American Bar Association nor has such approval been sought. Accordingly, these materials should not be
construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association.
2010
National Conference of Bar Examiners
302 South Bedford Street, Madison, WI 53703-3622
608-280-8550 • TDD 608-661-1275 • Fax 608-280-8552
www.ncbex.org
Chair: Sam Hanson, Minneapolis, MN
President: Erica Moeser, Madison, WI
Immediate Past Chair: Frederick Y. Yu, Denver, CO
Chair-Elect: Philip M. Madden, Long Beach, CA
Secretary: Rebecca S. Thiem, Bismarck, ND
Board of Trustees: Hon. Rebecca White Berch, Phoenix, AZ
Hon. Thomas J. Bice, Fort Dodge, IA
Mark S. Carlin, Washington, DC
Robert A. Chong, Honolulu, HI
Margaret Fuller Corneille, St. Paul, MN
Franklin R. Harrison, Panama City, FL
Darryl W. Simpkins, Hillsborough, NJ
Bryan R. Williams, New York, NY
ABA House of Delegates Representative: Hon. Jequita Harmon Napoli, Norman, OK
American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-7598
312-988-6738 • Fax 312-988-5681
www.abanet.org/legaled
Chairperson: Jerome C. Hafter, Jackson, MS
Chairperson-Elect: Hon. Christine M. Durham, Salt Lake City, UT
Vice Chairperson: John F. O’Brien, Boston, MA
Secretary: J. Martin Burke, Missoula, MT
Immediate Past Chairperson: Randy A. Hertz, New York, NY
ABA House of Delegates Representatives: Hon. Ruth V. McGregor, Phoenix, AZ
Pauline A. Schneider, Washington, DC
Board of Governors Liaison: Amelia Helen Boss, Philadelphia, PA
Consultant: Hulett H. Askew
Deputy Consultant: Daniel J. Freehling
Associate Consultant: Camille deJorna
Assistant Consultant: Charlotte Stretch
Preface............................................................................................................... v
Chart vi: Days of Testing and MPRE, MPT, and MEE Requirements.....21
Contents iii
Preface
This publication is an updated edition of the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Require-
ments, first published in 1984. It replaces the 2009 edition. The National Conference of Bar
Examiners, the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, and the Section’s Bar
Admissions Committee wish to thank the state bar admission administrators for their cooperation
in furnishing the data.
The text that appears in this booklet reflects an editorial decision to leave intact much of the infor-
mation supplied by bar admission agencies; that is, some language consistencies have been forgone
in order to preserve the words as received from the jurisdictions. The material supplied by each
jurisdiction reflects the court rule, not situations under which waivers are granted, unless otherwise
indicated.
We hope that by working closely with the state bar admission administrators in compiling and
verifying the information contained in this publication, we have produced charts that will be useful
to everyone concerned with the bar admissions process.
Because bar admission rules and practices are subject to change, however, this publication should be
used only as a general guide. Specific, up-to-date answers to questions concerning bar admissions
should be obtained from the bar admission agency in the jurisdiction involved. A directory of bar
admission agencies begins on page 43.
Erica Moeser
President
National Conference of Bar Examiners
Preface v
Code of Recommended Standards for Bar Examiners
The American Bar Association, the National Conference of for staggered terms to ensure continuity of policy, but
Bar Examiners, and the Association of American Law Schools there should be sufficient rotation in the personnel of
make the following recommendations to the duly constituted each authority to bring new views to the authority and to
authorities in the several states who are vested with respon- ensure continuing interest in its work.
sibilities and duties in respect to admission to the bar, and to
lawyers and the law schools generally. 3. Conflicts of Interest. A bar examiner should not have ad-
verse interests, conflicting duties, or inconsistent obliga-
The Code of Recommended Standards for Bar Examiners
tions that will in any way interfere or appear to interfere
has been adopted by the policy-making bodies of the ABA,
with the proper administration of the examiner’s functions.
NCBE, and AALS. An initial Code was adopted in 1959. A
A bar examiner should not participate directly or indirectly
revised Code was adopted in 1980. Amendments adding the
in courses for the preparation of applicants for bar admis-
present moral character and fitness standards were adopted
sion. The conduct of a bar examiner should be such that
in February 1987; additional amendments bringing the Code
there may be no suspicion that the examiner’s judgment
to its present form were adopted in August 1987, with ABA
may be swayed by improper considerations.
adoption by the House of Delegates on August 11, 1987.
The Code appearing in this edition includes minor updates
ii. Eligibility of Applicants
approved by the three cosponsoring organizations. The rec-
ommended standards represent the results of accumulated 4. Burden of Proof. The burden of establishing eligibil-
study and experience of a number of lawyers, examiners, ity to take the bar examination should be on the applicant.
and teachers of high standing. They are offered solely in the
5. College Education. Each applicant should be required to
hope that they will afford guidance and assistance and will
have successfully completed at least three-fourths of the
lead toward uniformity of objectives and practices in bar
work acceptable for a baccalaureate degree at an accred-
admissions throughout the United States.
ited college or university before beginning the study of law.
8. Organization and Funding. A body appointed by and re- with right to counsel, before the committee before a final
sponsible to the judicial branch of government (which may adverse determination is made. The bar examining authority
be separate from the bar examining authority but which should adopt a rule respecting a permissible reapplication
will be referred to hereinafter as the bar examining author- date for applicants who, after being afforded due process,
ity) should administer character and fitness screening. It are denied admission on character and fitness grounds.
should perform its duties in a manner that assures the pro-
12. Standard of Character and Fitness. A lawyer should be
tection of the public by recommending or admitting only
one whose record of conduct justifies the trust of clients,
those who qualify. Sufficient funding and staffing should
adversaries, courts, and others with respect to the profes-
be provided to permit appropriate investigation of all in-
sional duties owed to them. A record manifesting a
formation pertaining to applicants’ character and fitness.
significant deficiency in the honesty, trustworthiness,
9. Development and Publication of Standards. Character diligence, or reliability of an applicant may constitute a
and fitness standards should be articulated and published basis for denial of admission.
by each bar examining authority. Some variation in rules
13. Relevant Conduct. The revelation or discovery of any of
and interpretations among the bar examining authorities
the following should be treated as cause for further inquiry
may be appropriate, as character and fitness screening is
before the bar examining authority decides whether the ap-
the responsibility of each individual bar examining author-
plicant possesses the character and fitness to practice law:
ity. Standards should be applied in a consistent manner and
interpretative material should be developed in furtherance • unlawful conduct
of this objective. • academic misconduct
10. The Investigative Process. The bar examining authority • making of false statements, including omissions
may appropriately place on the applicant the burden of pro-
• misconduct in employment
ducing information. Each investigation should be initiated
by requiring the applicant to execute under oath a thor- • acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or
misrepresentation
ough application and to sign an authorization and release
form that extends to the bar examining authority and to • abuse of legal process
any persons or institutions supplying information thereto. • neglect of financial responsibilities
The applicant should be informed of the consequences of
• neglect of professional obligations
failing to produce information requested by the application
and of making material omissions or misrepresentations. • violation of an order of a court
The bar examining authority should frame each question • evidence of mental or emotional instability
on the application in a manner that renders the scope of in-
• evidence of drug or alcohol dependency
quiry clear and unambiguous. The bar examining authority
should have the power to cause witnesses and documents • denial of admission to the bar in another
jurisdiction on character and fitness grounds
or other records to be subpoenaed and to administer oaths
or affirmations. • disciplinary action by a lawyer disciplinary agency
or other professional disciplinary agency of any
11. Confidentiality and Due Process. Each jurisdiction
jurisdiction
should adopt a rule respecting confidentiality of records
14. Access to Information. Access to bar admission character
and sources that balances the need to protect the applicant,
and fitness information, bar disciplinary information, and
the sources, and the public. Minimally, this rule should
criminal justice information is particularly essential and
provide confidentiality of records and sources for pur-
should be facilitated by legislation, rule making, and inter-
poses other than cooperation with another bar examining
jurisdictional cooperation.
authority. The bar examining authority should adopt a rule
respecting due process that specifies procedures which in- 15. Use of Information. The bar examining authority should
clude notice to applicants and an opportunity to appear, determine whether the present character and fitness of an
applicant qualifies the applicant for admission. In making 17. Opportunity for Examination. Each examination should
this determination through the processes described above, be held at such times as will assure sufficient opportunity
to the applicants to prepare therefor without interfering
the following factors should be considered in assigning
with the completion of law school studies.
weight and significance to prior conduct:
18. Purpose of Examination. The bar examination should
• the applicant’s age at the time of the conduct test the ability of an applicant to identify legal issues in
has passed a written bar examination administered under 21. Preparation of Questions. The bar examining author-
terms and conditions equivalent to those applicable to all ity may use the services of its members or staff or other
qualified persons, including out-of-state law teachers, to
other applicants for admission to practice. An applicant
prepare bar examination questions, and it may also use the
may also be required to pass a separate examination on the
services of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Be-
subject of professional responsibility, such as the Multi- fore an essay question is accepted for use, every point of
state Professional Responsibility Examination. law in the question should be thoroughly briefed and the
question should be analyzed and approved by the members 26. Re-examination. An applicant who has failed to pass three
of the bar examining authority. or more bar examinations may be required to complete ad-
ditional study prescribed by the bar examining authority,
22. Applicants with Disabilities. Without impairing the integ-
or to establish that the reasons for previous failures no
rity of the examination process, the bar examining author-
longer exist, before being permitted to take any subsequent
ity should adopt procedures allowing disabled applicants to
examination.
have assistance, equipment, or additional time as it deter-
mines to be reasonably necessary under the circumstances
to assure their fair and equal opportunity to perform on the vi. Administration
examination.
27. Adequacy of Staff. The bar examining authority should be
provided with adequate administrative and clerical staff.
v. Grading Bar Examinations
28. Publication of Results. The bar admission authority
23. Non-Identity Grading. Each jurisdiction should establish should announce the numbers of applicants who have
procedures which assure that the identity of each applicant passed and who have failed the bar examination as a whole
in the grading process is not known to any person having and by law school.
responsibility for grading or determining whether the 29. Periodic Studies. A thorough study should be periodically
applicant passes or fails until the grades of all applicants made of the results of the bar examination to determine its
have been finally determined. effectiveness, to discover defects, and to suggest possible
24. Grading Process. The bar examining authority may use improvements in the bar examination system. Each juris-
the services of its members or staff or other qualified per- diction should make the results of these studies available
sons to grade answers to essay questions. If practical, all to other jurisdictions upon request.
answers to a particular essay question should be graded 30. Conferences with Applicants. The bar examining author-
by the same person. If multiple graders are used, the bar ity should make representatives available to meet with po-
examining authority should adopt procedures for the tential applicants upon invitation at least once each year
calibration of the graders to assure uniformity of grading at each of the law schools in the jurisdiction. Such repre-
standards. The bar examining authority may adopt proce- sentatives should be prepared to discuss general purposes,
dures dispensing with the grading of the answers to some policies, and procedures of the examination.
of the essay questions of applicants who attain high scores
31. Committee on Cooperation. Each jurisdiction should
on multiple-choice questions, but no failing score should
have an active committee on cooperation, consisting of
be given except upon the basis of the grades of the appli-
representatives of the bar examining authority, the law
cant on all questions. The grading process and grade distri-
schools, the judiciary, and the bar, which meets at least an-
butions should be periodically reviewed in order to assure
nually to consider issues relating to legal education, eligi-
uniformity in grading.
bility, and admission to the bar.
25. Rights of Failing Applicants. The decision of the bar ex-
amining authority as to whether an applicant has passed
or failed a bar examination should be final. An applicant
who fails a bar examination should have the right, within
a reasonable period of time after announcement of the re-
sults of the examination, to see the applicant’s answers to
the essay questions and the grades assigned thereto, and to
compare each of these answers with an approved answer.
Are the rules for admission to the practice of law Michigan Two years college; total of 60 semester or 90
in your jurisdiction promulgated by the state su- quarter hours.
preme court or the state legislature? Mississippi Three years college if on a 3-3 program, or
Alabama Board of Commissioners, with ultimate ap- bachelor’s degree.
proval in the Supreme Court. New Hampshire Three years’ work required for a bach-
Connecticut Superior Court. elor’s degree from an accredited college or the
equivalent.
District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
North Carolina Completion of academic work required
Maryland The statutory requirements are implemented for admission to a law school approved by the
by rules adopted by Court of Appeals. Council of the North Carolina State Bar.
Massachusetts Rules for admission of attorneys pro- Ohio Bachelor’s degree.
mulgated by the Supreme Judicial Court. Board of
Bar Examiners may make additional rules subject Oklahoma Bachelor’s degree.
to Supreme Judicial Court approval; legislative en- Pennsylvania Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educa-
abling statute. tion.
Mississippi Board of Bar Examiners, subject to ultimate Vermont Three-quarters of work required for bachelor’s
authority in the legislature with Supreme Court
degree.
approval.
West Virginia Bachelor’s degree.
North Carolina Board of Bar Examiners, with ultimate
approval by the Council of the North Carolina State Guam Two years college.
Bar and the Supreme Court.
Puerto Rico Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education.
Texas Legislature enacts Board’s enabling statute; Su-
Virgin Islands Bachelor’s degree.
preme Court adopts rules.
Virginia Admission by examination: Board of Bar Ex- Is there a residence requirement for applicants?
aminers, with ultimate authority in the legislature.
Iowa Applicant shall demonstrate a bona fide intention
Admission on motion: Supreme Court of Virginia.
to practice law in Iowa.
Do the rules of your jurisdiction require any spe- Minnesota Prior to admission must be a resident, main-
cific period of prelegal education? tain an office in the state, or designate the clerk of
the Supreme Court as agent for service of process
Alabama Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
for all purposes.
or university.
Nevada Must be present or available within the state to
California Two years of college; total of 60 semester or
facilitate examination, investigation, or interview
90 quarter units of college credit with an average
related to application.
grade at least equal to that required for graduation,
or attain specific minimum scores on selected gen-
Does your jurisdiction have any registration re-
eral exams administered by College Level Exami-
nation Program (CLEP). quirements for law students?
Delaware Bachelor’s degree. Alabama Within 60 days of starting law school.
Georgia Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college California Within 90 days of starting law school.
or university. Florida Law students are encouraged, but not required,
Kansas Baccalaureate degree. to register in the first year of law school.
Maine Bachelor’s degree. Illinois By the first day of March following applicant’s
commencement of law school (first day of July for
Maryland Applicant must have completed prelegal spring semester matriculants).
education necessary to meet the minimum re-
quirements for admission to an ABA-approved law Iowa By November 1 of the year the student com-
school. mences the study of law in an accredited law
school.
Massachusetts Graduation from high school or equiva-
lent and completion of work acceptable for a bach- Mississippi By October 1 of applicant’s second year of
elor’s degree or equivalent. law school.
North Dakota Law students must file a registration ap- Kentucky Must have completed degree requirements
plication by October 1 of the second year of law prior to taking bar examination, although degree
school, or 14 months after the first day of the first may not have been conferred.
year of law school.
Mississippi Must complete all work required for degree
Ohio By November 15 in the applicant’s second year of within 60 days of the examination.
law school.
Missouri Must have completed all degree requirements
Oklahoma By October 15 of the year following the year prior to taking bar examination, although degree
in which law study was commenced. may not have been conferred.
Texas Within approximately 60 days after entry into an Nebraska Must receive degree within 60 days of
approved Texas law school. Does not apply to grad- examination.
uates from approved law schools in other states.
New York Must have completed all work required for
Are law students eligible to take the bar examina- graduation, although degree may not have been
conferred as yet.
tion before graduation from law school?
North Carolina Must graduate within 30 days after
District of Columbia By filing deadline, must be certi- exam.
fied by dean of the law school as having completed
all requirements for graduation. Texas Must be within 4 semester hours of completing
all requirements for graduation.
Indiana Applicants who have fewer than 5 credit hours
to complete, are within 100 days of graduation, Vermont Must have completed all work required for
have completed 2 hours of professional responsi- graduation, although degree may not have been
bility, and have completed all requirements for ad- conferred.
mission to the bar may sit. Virginia Must have completed all requirements for grad-
Iowa Must receive degree within 45 days after the first uation prior to taking bar examination, although
day of the examination. degree may not have been conferred.
Kansas Must graduate within 30 days after the bar Wisconsin Must receive degree within 60 days after
examination. examination.
Does your
Does your Do your rules
Will a felony Does a separate jurisdiction have
jurisdiction have provide for
conviction bar an agency evaluate Indicate the categories of a structured
published conditional
applicant from character and conditional admission your rules permit. program
character and admission other
admission? fitness? for deferring
fitness standards? than by waiver?
admission?
Alabama X X X X X
Alaska X X X X X
Arizona X X X X X X X X X X
Arkansas X X X X X
California X X X X X
Colorado X X X X X
Connecticut X X X X X X X
Delaware X X X X X
Dist. of Columbia X X X X X
Florida X X X X X X X
Georgia X X X X X
Hawaii X X X X X
Idaho X X X X X X X X X X
Illinois X X X X X X X X
Indiana X X X X X X X X X X
Iowa X X X X X
Kansas X X X X X
Kentucky X X X X X X X X X X
Louisiana X X X X X X X X X X
Maine X X X X X
Maryland X X X X X
Massachusetts X X X X X
Michigan X X X X X
Minnesota X X X X X X X X X X
Mississippi X X X X X
Missouri X X X X X
Montana X X X X X X X X X X
Nebraska X X X X X X X X X X
Nevada X X X X X X X X X X
New Hampshire X X X X X
New Jersey X X X X X X X X X X
New Mexico X X X X X X X X X X
New York X X X X X
North Carolina X X X X X
Does your
Does your Do your rules
Will a felony Does a separate jurisdiction have
jurisdiction have provide for
conviction bar an agency evaluate Indicate the categories of a structured
published conditional
applicant from character and conditional admission your rules permit. program
character and admission other
admission? fitness? for deferring
fitness standards? than by waiver?
admission?
North Dakota X X X X X X X X X X
Ohio X X X X X
Oklahoma X X X X X
Oregon X X X X X X X X X
Pennsylvania X X X X X
Rhode Island X X X X X X X
South Carolina X X X X X
South Dakota X X X X X
Tennessee X X X X X X X X X X
Texas X X X X X X X X X X
Utah X X X X X
Vermont X X X X X
Virginia X X X X X
Washington X X X X X
West Virginia X X X X X X X X X
Wisconsin X X X X X
Wyoming X X X X X
Guam X X X X X
Northern
X X X X X
Mariana Islands
Palau X X X X X
Puerto Rico X X X X X
Virgin Islands X X X X X
See supplemental remarks.
Will a felony conviction bar an applicant from Montana An applicant found guilty of a felony is con-
admission? clusively presumed not to have present good moral
character and fitness. The presumption ceases upon
Alabama Applicant must be granted a full pardon completion of the sentence and/or period of
with civil rights restored before applicant will be probation.
considered for admission. Nebraska Conviction of felony would not result in an
Arkansas A felony conviction weighs heavily in admis- automatic denial of admission, but applicant would
sion decision. bear the heavy burden of producing clear and con-
cise evidence of full and complete rehabilitation
Connecticut Rebuttable presumption of lack of good and present good moral character.
moral character.
North Dakota If offense is determined to have a direct
Delaware Not an automatic bar, but felony conviction bearing on applicant’s ability to serve the public
may affect finding of good moral character. as an attorney or if applicant is not sufficiently
Florida Not an automatic bar, but restoration of civil rehabilitated.
rights is required.
Ohio Applicants convicted of a felony must meet
Georgia Not an automatic bar, but a pardon or restora- specific conditions and undergo additional review
tion of civil rights is necessary. before they can be approved.
Idaho Not an automatic bar, but felony conviction may Oregon An applicant shall not be eligible for admission
affect finding of good moral character. after having been convicted of a crime, the com-
Indiana Conviction of felony is prima facie evidence of mission of which would have led to disbarment in
lack of requisite good moral character. Applicant all the circumstances present, had the person been
has the burden to overcome prima facie evidence. an Oregon attorney at the time of conviction.
Iowa Not an automatic bar, but a felony conviction Pennsylvania A felony conviction is viewed as a serious
weighs heavily in admission decision. impediment to qualification.
Kansas Persons convicted of a felony are ineligible Rhode Island Conviction of a felony would not result in
to apply for admission until 5 years after the date automatic denial, but applicant must establish good
of successful completion of sentence or period moral character.
of probation. South Carolina Although not an automatic bar,
Kentucky Felony conviction does not always prohibit felony conviction may affect finding of good
admission, but may affect finding of good moral moral character.
character. Texas Felony conviction is an absolute bar to applica-
Maine Conviction of a felony would not result in an tion and admission for 5 years after completion of
automatic denial of admission. Applicant bears the sentence/probation; thereafter, the applicant must
burden of establishing good moral character. demonstrate present good moral character.
Maryland Conviction of felony would not result in au- Utah Conviction of a felony is prima facie evidence of
tomatic denial of admission. Applicant bears heavy lack of good moral character.
burden of producing clear and convincing evidence Virginia Conviction of a felony or crime involving
of full and complete rehabilitation and present good moral turpitude is not an automatic bar but may
moral character. affect finding of good moral character.
Massachusetts Not automatic bar, but applicant must Wisconsin Not an automatic bar, but applicant must es-
establish present good moral character. tablish present good character and fitness.
Mississippi Persons convicted of a felony except man-
Guam Conviction of a felony or crime involving moral
slaughter or a violation of the Internal Revenue
turpitude is not an automatic bar to admission with
Code are ineligible.
certain exceptions.
Missouri Persons convicted of a felony are ineligible
Northern Mariana Islands Ineligible unless applicant
to apply for admission until 5 years after the date
has been granted full pardon.
of successful completion of sentence or period
of probation. Palau Applicant must have received a full pardon.
Puerto Rico Not an automatic bar, but felony conviction Puerto Rico Committee on Character evaluates each ex-
may affect finding of good moral character. aminee’s character and fitness after he/she passes
the bar exam. According to the rule, the Committee
Does a separate agency evaluate character and can advise the Court to grant a conditional admis-
fitness? sion. However, the rule does not state categories of
Georgia The Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Appli- cases in which the Committee should recommend a
cants is separate and distinct from the Board of Bar conditional admission.
Examiners. The Fitness Board makes character and
fitness determinations. The Office of Bar Admis- Does your jurisdiction have a structured program
sions reports to both Boards, and both Boards must for deferring admission?
certify an applicant to the Supreme Court. Arkansas Issuance of license may be deferred for up to
New York Character and fitness applications are pro- 2 years pending further evaluation, drug tests, etc.
cessed by 1 of 4 appellate departments. California California has an abeyance program where an
Ohio Local bar association admissions committees applicant enters into an agreement with the Com-
make recommendations to the Board of Commis- mittee of Bar Examiners for a set period of time. If
sioners on Character and Fitness, which makes fi- an applicant successfully completes the program,
nal determinations. This Board is separate from the it is likely he or she will receive a positive moral
Board of Bar Examiners. character determination without further hearings.
West Virginia District Character Committee conducts Minnesota Applicants with alcohol, drug, or financial
character and fitness investigation and interviews responsibility problems who cannot show rehabil-
each applicant, then submits report and recom- itation, and who would otherwise be issued a letter
mendation to the Board of Law Examiners. of adverse determination based upon misconduct,
may postpone Board’s determination for a period
Do your rules provide for conditional admission of 12 to 24 months. The Board will reconsider the
other than by waiver? application after that period of time.
Texas Rule provides for probationary licensing for
chemical dependency and other circumstances in
which the Board determines that the protection of
the public requires temporary monitoring.
Is eligibility to If not, what other means of legal study do your rules permit for bar exam applicants?
take the bar exam
J.D. or
limited to Grad. from
LL.B. graduates Non-ABA- Non-ABA-
Unapproved Grad. from unapproved U.S. LL.M.
of ABA-approved approved approved Foreign law
law school unapproved law school or other
in-state out-of-state Law Corre- degree
law schools under (not state or law school plus specified grad degree
your rules? school school office spondence (also see
ABA) plus specified # of hours from ABA-
approved approved study study Chart X for
wherever # of years of at ABA- approved law
by state by state add’l details)
located practice approved law school
authority authority
Jurisdiction Yes No school
Alabama X X X X X X
Alaska X X X
Arizona X X
Arkansas X
California X X X X X X
Colorado X X X
Connecticut X X X
Delaware X
Dist.
X X X X X X
of Columbia
Florida X X
Georgia X
Hawaii X X X
Idaho X
Illinois X X
Indiana X
Iowa X
Kansas X
Kentucky X X X
Louisiana X X
Maine X X X X
Maryland X
Massachusetts X X X
Michigan X X X
Minnesota X
Mississippi X
Missouri X X X X
Montana X
Nebraska X
Nevada X X X X X
New Hampshire X X
New Jersey X
New Mexico X X X X
New York X X X X
North Carolina X
Is eligibility to If not, what other means of legal study do your rules permit for bar exam applicants?
take the bar exam
J.D. or
limited to Grad. from
LL.B. graduates Non-ABA- Non-ABA-
Unapproved Grad. from unapproved U.S. LL.M.
of ABA-approved approved approved Foreign law
law school unapproved law school or other
in-state out-of-state Law Corre- degree
law schools under (not state or law school plus specified grad degree
your rules? school school office spondence (also see
ABA) plus specified # of hours from ABA-
approved approved study study Chart X for
wherever # of years of at ABA- approved law
by state by state add’l details)
located practice approved law school
authority authority
Jurisdiction Yes No school
North Dakota X
Ohio X X
Oklahoma X
Oregon X X X
Pennsylvania X X X
Rhode Island X X
South Carolina X
South Dakota X
Tennessee X X X
Texas X X X
Utah X X
Vermont X X X X
Virginia X X X
Washington X X X
West Virginia X X
Wisconsin X X X
Wyoming X X
Guam X
Northern
X
Mariana Islands
Palau X X X
Puerto Rico X X
Virgin Islands X X
See supplemental remarks.
Is eligibility to take the bar examination limited Florida After 10 years’ active practice in another juris-
to J.D. or LL.B. graduates of ABA-approved law diction in which applicant has been duly admitted,
schools under your rules? the applicant may file a representative compilation
of work product for evaluation by the Board.
Alabama Graduates of unaccredited law schools who Georgia Published waiver policy lists criteria consid-
wish to sit for the bar exam must be licensed and in ered by Board in determining whether waiver stan-
good standing for the past 5 years in the state where dard has been met.
the unaccredited law school from which they grad- Illinois Graduates of foreign law schools, who are li-
uated is located and that state must have a recipro- censed and in good standing in country confer-
cal agreement with the state of Alabama allowing ring law degree or in a U.S. jurisdiction, who have
graduates of Alabama’s unaccredited law schools actively and continuously practiced under such
to sit for that state’s bar examination. At this time license(s) for 5 of the 7 preceding years, and the
no state or jurisdiction has such a reciprocal agree- quality of whose legal and other education has been
ment with Alabama. determined acceptable by the Board, may apply for
Arizona Graduates of non-ABA-approved law schools admission on examination.
can write the examination if they have at least 5 Kentucky Non-ABA-approved law school graduates,
years of active and continuous practice within the including foreign attorneys, can apply to take the
last 7 years in some other state or states. bar exam, but must first have an education equiva-
lency evaluation conducted and must have been ac-
California Applicants who obtain legal education by
tively and substantially engaged in the practice of
attending unaccredited, which includes fixed- law as principal occupation for 3 of last 5 years and
facility, correspondence and distance learning, law meet other standards set by the Board.
schools registered in California, or by law office
study, must have 4 years of law study and take Louisiana Foreign attorneys can apply to take the bar
the First-Year Law Students’ Examination after exam, but must first have an educational equiva-
their first year. Applicants who pass the examina- lency evaluation conducted.
tion within 3 consecutive administrations of first Maine Applicants may have either graduated from a
becoming eligible to take it will receive credit for law school accredited by the jurisdiction where it
all law study completed to the date of the adminis- is located and have been admitted to practice by
tration of the examination passed. Applicants who exam within the U.S. and have been in the active
pass it on a subsequent attempt will receive credit practice of law in a jurisdiction in which they are
for only 1 year of study. Applicants attending law admitted for at least 3 years; or have completed 2/3
schools accredited by the Committee of Bar Exam- of graduation requirements from an ABA-approved
iners qualify to take the bar exam upon graduation. law school and within 12 months after successful
Foreign-educated law school graduates who obtain completion pursued the study of law in the law of-
an LL.M. degree or 1 year of law study, which in- fice of an attorney in active practice of law in Maine
cludes a certain number of credits in bar examina- on a full-time basis for at least 1 year. Foreign law
tion subject matter areas, at an ABA-approved or graduates may qualify for exam after determination
California-accredited law school can qualify to of educational equivalency and practicing in a ju-
take the examination. Foreign attorneys admitted to risdiction in which they are licensed for at least 3
the active practice of law in good standing in their years.
countries can qualify to take the bar examination
without any additional law study. Maryland A graduate of a non-ABA-approved law
school (foreign or domestic) must first be admit-
Colorado Must have practiced 5 of previous 7 years in ted by exam in another U.S. jurisdiction to qual-
order to sit for bar exam if person is a graduate of a ify to apply for a waiver to take the Maryland bar
non-ABA-approved law school. examination.
Connecticut Connecticut currently does not have any Massachusetts Graduates of law schools which at the
non-ABA-approved in-state schools. time of graduation were approved by the ABA or
authorized by statute of the Commonwealth of
District of Columbia Graduates of non-ABA-approved Massachusetts may sit for the exam. Graduates
law schools can write the exam if they have suc- from a law school in a foreign country (other than
cessfully completed at least 26 semester hours in those Canadian law schools that are prequalified)
subjects tested on the DC bar exam from an ABA- may be permitted to sit for the bar exam after taking
approved law school. further legal studies as determined by the Board.
Michigan Applicant must have a J.D. from a reputable law in a U.S. jurisdiction for at least 3 out of 5
and qualified law school. Law schools fully or pro- years before the application is filed.
visionally approved by the ABA on the date the ap- Utah Foreign lawyers graduating from schools in juris-
plicant’s degree is conferred are considered to be dictions where the legal system is predominantly
reputable and qualified. based on English common law may sit after prac-
Nevada An attorney who is not a graduate of an ABA- ticing law for 2 years in a common-law jurisdic-
approved law school and has at least 10 years tion and completing 24 semester hours at an ABA-
of active and continuous practice in some other approved law school.
state(s) must first have an education equivalency Vermont Four-year law office study program; must
evaluation conducted. No practice rule required have completed 3/4 of work accepted for a bach-
of foreign applicants, but they are also required to elor’s degree in a college approved by the Court
have an education evaluation. before commencing the study of law. Non-ABA
New Hampshire Currently, graduates of 2 non-ABA- law school can be approved by the Supreme Court.
Foreign law school graduates can be admitted on
approved law schools in Massachusetts are per-
motion if admitted in another jurisdiction; other-
mitted to sit if they have first been admitted in
wise, completion of at least 2 years of law office
Massachusetts. Graduates of foreign law schools
study is required before being eligible to sit for the
who meet other requirements are also eligible for
bar exam.
admission.
Virginia Applicant for examination who has received a
New Mexico Graduates of non-ABA-approved law
portion of legal education in a foreign law school
schools, correspondence law schools, and foreign and has received a degree from an ABA-approved
law schools may write the examination if they law school other than an LL.B. or J.D. must
are licensed and in good standing in another U.S. furnish proof by certificate from the dean of an
state and have engaged in the practice of law in ABA-approved law school in Virginia that the
the state where admitted for 4 of the 6 years prior foreign legal education together with the approved
to application. law school degree is equivalent to that required for
New York Law office study permitted after successful an LL.B. or J.D. at such dean’s law school.
completion of 1 year at an ABA-approved law West Virginia Non-ABA-approved law school gradu-
school. Graduates of non-ABA-approved law ates must show that legal education is equivalent
schools can write the examination if they have at to ABA-approved law school.
least 5 years active and continuous practice within
the last 7 years in some other state or states. Wisconsin Must have received first professional de-
gree in law from a law school whose graduates are
North Carolina An applicant who was educationally eli- eligible to take the bar exam of the jurisdiction in
gible prior to August 1, 1995, remains so. which the school is located, and must have taken
Ohio Determination of educational equivalency made and passed the bar examination and been admitted
for foreign law degrees. to that or another U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants with
foreign credentials are reviewed on a case-by-case
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania applicant must have gradu- basis and may qualify to take the bar exam.
ated from an ABA-approved law school or, if the
applicant has graduated from a non-ABA-approved Wyoming Law office study permitted as a structured
law school, the applicant must be admitted and in course comparable to 2 years at an ABA-approved
good standing in a reciprocal jurisdiction and have law school. Prior approval of independent study
practiced 5 out of last 7 years in a reciprocal juris- required.
diction immediately preceding the date of filing of Puerto Rico The general rule requires that the applicant
the application. must have graduated from a law school approved
by the ABA or the Court.
Texas Generally, Texas requires an applicant to have
a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school. Texas Virgin Islands Eligibility is limited to applicants who
has no provision for admitting an applicant whose come in under special admission provisions as set
law degree was obtained through correspondence forth in the rules.
study (which includes “distance learning” or “ex-
ternal programs”). An attorney licensed in another
U.S. jurisdiction may be eligible for exemption
from the ABA-approved J.D. requirement to take
the Texas bar exam if he or she has been actively
and substantially engaged in the lawful practice of
If you approve schools not approved by the ABA, legal education component. Certain classes of
do you conduct on-site inspections? new lawyers are exempt (e.g., judicial law clerks).
California Schools seeking accreditation must meet the Hawaii Completion of State Bar’s professionalism
requirements as specified in the Accredited Law course no later than December 31 of the year fol-
School Rules. Unaccredited law schools must meet lowing the year of election of active status.
the requirements for registration as specified in the Idaho Within 12 months of admission, each lawyer is
Unaccredited Law School Rules. required to complete a practical skills seminar ap-
Kentucky On-site inspections of non-ABA-approved proved for that purpose. Exemption for lawyers
schools may be conducted. with 5 years of continuous practice.
Illinois Every Illinois attorney admitted to practice, ex-
For initial admission to the bar, do you require cept for those attorneys who have practiced in other
completion of certain courses or skills training states for a period of 1 year or more, must complete
during law school? a Basic Skills Course totaling at least 15 actual
Indiana Rule requires completion of 2 semester hours hours of instruction.
of legal ethics or professional responsibility in an Indiana New admittees must complete 6 hours of ap-
approved law school. plied professionalism in the first 3 years.
New Jersey Applicants must present evidence of satis- Iowa Lawyers admitted by examination must complete
factory performance in a law school course on eth- a basic skills course on Iowa law within 1 year of
ics. In lieu thereof, New Jersey will accept a score admission. The course must cover a minimum of 8
of 75 or better on the MPRE. hours of instructional time and at least 8 topic areas,
Ohio Applicants seeking admission by exam must re- including 1 hour of legal ethics. Lawyers admitted
ceive at least 10 classroom hours of instruction on in 2009 have 2 years to complete the course.
legal ethics and at least 1 hour on substance abuse. Louisiana Any newly admitted active member shall,
during the year of admission through the next cal-
For initial admission to the bar, do you require endar year, attend 12.5 hours of approved CLE and
completion of certain courses or skills training af- not less than 8 of such hours shall concern legal
ter law school? ethics, professionalism, or law office management.
Alaska Applicant must attend presentation on attorney Maryland Rule requires a course in professionalism pre-
ethics as prescribed by the Board, currently a 1½- sented by the State Bar between the time applicants
hour video course offered by the bar association. pass exam and when they are admitted.
Arizona Completion of State Bar’s professionalism Missouri New admittees must complete 3 hours of eth-
course within the first year of admission. ics, professionalism, or malpractice prevention
Colorado Exam applicants must complete required Col- within 12 months of license date.
orado Bar Association’s Seminar on Professional-
Nevada Mandatory bridge-the-gap course during first
ism before being sworn in.
year of admission.
Delaware Five-month clerkship and pre-admission ses-
sion conducted by the Supreme Court and Board of New Hampshire Practical skills course given by the
Bar Examiners. State Bar must be completed during first 2 years
of practice.
District of Columbia Completion of course on D.C.
Rules of Conduct and D.C. practice within 12 New Jersey Skills training course to be completed over
months of admission. a 3-year period.
Florida Mandatory basic skills course, including in- North Carolina Nine hours practical skills each of first 3
struction on discipline, ethics, and responsibility to years of practice.
the public, must be completed within 12 months of Ohio New admittees must comply with New Lawyer
admission, and may be completed 8 months prior Training requirements.
to admission.
Oregon Fifteen credits in the first reporting period, in-
Georgia Mandatory Transition into Law Practice Pro- cluding 10 practical skills, 1 legal ethics, 1 child
gram must be completed in the year of admission abuse reporting, and 1 elimination of bias.
or in the next calendar year. Program requires
that newly admitted lawyers are subject to State Rhode Island Completion of training course sponsored
Bar mandatory mentoring program for their first by the bar association and approved by the Supreme
year of practice and must complete continuing Court within 1 year of admission.
South Carolina Must complete a bridge-the-gap program Missouri After full-time practice for 3 of the 5 years pre-
prior to being admitted. ceding application or completion of 24 credit hours
in residence at an ABA-approved law school.
Texas Mandatory seminar within 1 year of admission.
New Hampshire Only graduates of 2 non-ABA-approved
Utah Active, new admittees with less than 2 years of
law schools in Massachusetts and graduates of foreign
legal practice must complete mandatory mentoring
law schools who meet other requirements are eligible.
program within the first year of practice.
New Mexico Must have engaged in the practice of law in
Vermont Three-month law office study.
another jurisdiction for 4 of the 6 years preceding
Washington Pre-admission Education Requirement. application to New Mexico.
Before an applicant who has passed the bar ex-
New York After 5 years of practice.
amination, or who qualifies for admission without
passing the bar examination, may be admitted, the Oregon If applicant has been admitted to practice before
applicant must complete a minimum of 4 hours the highest tribunal in another state, the District of
education in a curriculum and under circumstan- Columbia, or a federal territory, has graduated from
ces approved by the Board of Governors. These a law school equivalent to a law school approved
courses will be offered at no cost to the applicant. by the ABA and where requirements for admis-
sion are substantially equivalent to those of Oregon,
West Virginia Within 1 year of admission, must com-
and has been actively, substantially and continually
plete bridge-the-gap seminar.
engaged in the practice of law for at least 3 of the 5
Wyoming New admittees must complete the State Bar’s years immediately preceding the taking of exam.
4-hour professionalism course within 12 months of
Pennsylvania If applicant graduated from a non-ABA-
admission.
approved law school, applicant must be admitted
and in good standing in a reciprocal jurisdiction and
If applicant, a graduate of a non-ABA-approved have been engaged in the practice of law in a re-
school, passes a bar examination in another state, ciprocal jurisdiction for 5 of the 7 years immediately
is the applicant eligible to take your examination preceding the date of filing of the application.
without additional legal education? Texas If licensed by another U.S. jurisdiction, a J.D.
Alaska After 5 years’ active practice in another jurisdic- graduate of a non-ABA-approved school (not a
tion in which applicant has been admitted. correspondence school) may be eligible to take the
bar exam if he/she has 3 out of last 5 years of lawful
Arizona After 5 years’ active practice out of 7 preceding
practice in a U.S. jurisdiction. An attorney licensed
application in Arizona.
by another U.S. jurisdiction who does not hold a
California Must not only have passed the examination, J.D., but who holds a foreign law degree, must in
but have been admitted. addition demonstrate that the law degree is from
a non-correspondence law school that is accred-
Colorado Graduates of state-approved schools who have
ited in the jurisdiction where it exists and that it is
practiced 5 of the preceding 7 years in a jurisdiction
equivalent to a J.D.
where admitted may sit for the bar examination.
Vermont If admitted and actively engaged in the prac-
Florida After 10 years’ active practice in another juris-
tice of law in another jurisdiction, eligibility to take
diction in which applicant has been duly admitted,
the exam may be granted by the Board.
the applicant may file a representative compilation
of work product for evaluation by the Board. Washington Admission to the practice of law by exam-
ination, together with current good standing, in any
Hawaii Yes, if applicant has actively practiced law for 5
state or territory of the U.S. or District of Columbia
of the 6 years immediately prior to application.
or any jurisdiction where the common law of
Kentucky Yes, if applicant is admitted elsewhere, has 3 England is the basis of its jurisprudence, and active
years’ active practice out of 5 preceding the appli- legal experience for at least 3 of 5 years immedi-
cation, and establishes that the non-ABA-approved ately preceding filing of application.
law school is the substantial equivalent of a Ken-
West Virginia If admitted in another jurisdiction.
tucky ABA-approved law school.
Wisconsin Must have received first professional degree in
Maine After 3 years’ active practice in 1 or more U.S.
law from a law school whose graduates are eligible
jurisdictions.
to take the bar exam of the jurisdiction in which the
Maryland An applicant may be granted a waiver of school is located, and must have taken and passed
ABA law school graduation if first admitted to the the bar examination and been admitted to that or
bar of another U.S. state by examination. another U.S. jurisdiction.
How soon prior to the first day of the bar exam- Minnesota Late applications with added late fee ac-
ination must an applicant submit a completed cepted until December 1 for February exam and
application? May 1 for July exam.
Missouri Late filing with added fee.
Alaska Late filing allowed up to January 15 and June 15
with additional fee. Nevada Late applications with added penalty fees are
accepted until May 1 and December 1.
Arizona Applicants may file beyond set deadlines by
payment of late filing fee. New Jersey Specific fee and time schedules, including
those for late filings, are dependent on when mate-
California Applications may be filed late with an addi- rials are downloaded from the Internet or requested
tional fee, but no later than January 15 and June by mail. Limits are set by the Board of Bar Exam-
15. iners and the Supreme Court for each administra-
Colorado Late filing allowed (up to 30 days after dead- tion of the examination.
line) but with an additional fee. New Mexico Deadlines apply to first-time applicants.
Connecticut Listed deadlines are effective beginning New York Applications must be received between No-
with the July 2010 bar examination. vember 1 and 30 for February exam and between
Delaware No applications are accepted after April 15. April 1 and 30 for July exam.
District of Columbia Late filing allowed up to December North Carolina For February exam, application must
30 and May 18 but with additional fee. be received by first Tuesday in November; for July
exam, by first Tuesday in March. These are final
Florida Late filing allowed up to January 15 and June 15 deadlines.
with additional escalating fee.
North Dakota Applications for February exam, if
Georgia In no event may one apply prior to having given, must be postmarked by December 15 prior
received certification of fitness to practice law from to exam.
the Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants.
Late filing allowed on payment of $400 late fee. Oklahoma Late filing permitted for 2 months after
initial deadline but with an additional fee if filed
Idaho Late filing allowed up to May 1 and December 1 during the first month and another fee if filed
with late fee. during the second month after the deadline.
Illinois Late filing allowed with an additional escalating Oregon Late filing allowed (December 30 or May 30)
fee, but no later than a May 31 postmark for the but with an additional fee.
July examination and a December 31 postmark for
Pennsylvania Three additional late filing deadlines
the February examination.
with escalating fees accepted until May 30 and
Indiana Late filing for first-time takers is permitted December 15.
until November 30 and April 15. Repeaters have Washington To avoid late filing fees, applications
separate deadlines. must be postmarked 120 days before the exam.
Kansas Late applications are allowed until April 15 and Applications filed after these dates must be
November 15. accompanied by a late filing payment. No ap-
plications will be accepted less than 50 days
Kentucky Late filing allowed up to November 10 and prior to the exam.
March 10, but with late fee. There is an extended
late filing permitted up to December 10 and May West Virginia Late fee must accompany all applications
10 upon filing of additional fees. filed between November 1 and December 1 pre-
ceding February exam, or April 1 to May 1 preced-
Louisiana Late filing allowed until May 15 and Decem- ing July exam.
ber 15 with late filing fee.
Wisconsin Applications are accepted 1 additional month
Maine Applications are accepted up to 14 days after on payment of a late fee.
deadline with added late fee.
Guam Late filing allowed by January 2 for the February
Maryland Character and fitness application is due as exam and June 1 for the July exam with additional
shown; bar exam application, a separate document, fee of $250.
is due December 20 for the February exam and
May 20 for the July exam. Late character and fit- Puerto Rico Exam dates are in March and September.
ness filings are permitted on payment of a late fee Virgin Islands No applications are accepted after the
until the bar exam application due date. 30-day deadline.
Do you accept MBE scores from examinations Mississippi Must have attained the score within 20
taken in other jurisdictions? months of the exam.
Alabama For 20 months from time of taking if admit- Missouri Transferred score must have been earned
ted to the transferring jurisdiction. Must achieve a within 19 months of the exam, applicant must have
scaled score of 140 or better. passed entire exam in the transferring jurisdiction,
and applicant cannot have previously failed the
Arizona Concurrent examinations only. Missouri exam.
Arkansas For immediately succeeding examination, New Hampshire Concurrent examinations only.
will accept MBE scaled score of at least 135 from
New Jersey Concurrent examinations only.
any jurisdiction.
New Mexico Concurrent examinations only.
Connecticut Concurrent or 3 prior administrations.
New York Accepts concurrent examinations and scores
District of Columbia Accepts MBE scaled score trans- transferred from another jurisdiction if taken
ferred from another jurisdiction if taken within the within 3 prior administrations and as part of a pass-
preceding 25 months. ing bar exam.
Idaho Applicants may transfer a score from another ju- North Dakota A scaled score of 150 or higher is ac-
risdiction if taken within the last 25 months from cepted if achieved as a part of and at the same time
date of exam. as the essay or written bar exam, was obtained
Illinois Accepts MBE from 2 prior exams. Applicant within 24 months of date of the qualifying exam,
must have passed exam in other jurisdiction with and applicant passed the exam.
MBE scaled score of at least 140 and must achieve Oklahoma Concurrent examinations only.
a scaled score of at least 132 on the Illinois essay
Rhode Island Concurrent examinations only.
examination to pass examination.
South Carolina Concurrent examinations only.
Indiana Concurrent examinations only.
South Dakota Board may accept MBE scores if taken
Iowa Applicants may transfer any MBE scaled score re-
within 25 months prior to next scheduled exam and
ceived from 1 of the last 4 administrations of the if score equals or exceeds South Dakota passing
MBE immediately preceding the deadline for filing score as of date of acceptance of application and if
an application for the Iowa examination. applicant passed other jurisdiction’s exam.
Kansas In concurrent examination or in a prior exam- Tennessee Concurrent examinations only.
ination conducted within 13 months of the current
examination, if a scaled score of 120 or above and Utah Concurrent examinations only.
passed the entire exam in one sitting in the transfer- Vermont Accepts scores from 4 prior administrations.
ring jurisdiction.
West Virginia If taken within 13 months of present exam
Kentucky A scaled score of 132 or higher may be ac- and part of a successful exam.
cepted if that score was obtained within 3 years of
Wisconsin If taken within 37 months of present exam
the date of the exam to be taken.
and part of a successful exam.
Maryland Concurrent examinations only. Wyoming Within 3 years of present exam.
Massachusetts Concurrent examinations only. Northern Mariana Islands If MBE taken within 3 years
Michigan Within 3 years of the bar exam, foreign ju- of exam for which applicant applies and attains
risdiction must certify date MBE was taken, that scaled score of at least 120.
applicant passed entire bar exam of which the MBE Palau Will accept scores if taken within 5 years preced-
was part, the MBE scaled score applicant achieved ing present exam.
and that the jurisdiction which administered the
MBE affords reciprocal transfer right to Michigan Virgin Islands Will accept scores if taken within 5 years
attorneys seeking admission to that jurisdiction. of present exam.
Minnesota A scaled score of 145 or higher is accepted If you accept an MBE transfer score, what specific
if achieved as a part of and at the same time as the score do you accept?
essay or written bar exam, was obtained within 24
months of date of the qualifying exam, and appli- Alabama A scaled score of 140 or more.
cant passed the exam. Arizona Actual concurrent scaled score.
Arkansas A scaled score of 135 or more. Do you admit an applicant on the basis of an MBE
Connecticut Actual scaled score. score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction
without requiring the applicant to take and pass
District of Columbia A scaled score of 133 or more.
your essay exam?
Idaho Applicant may transfer any scaled score, but it is District of Columbia May be eligible for admission
recommended that a scaled score of less than 140 without written examination, upon proof of admis-
not be transferred. sion in another jurisdiction and proof applicant re-
Illinois A scaled score of 140 or more. ceived scaled score of 133 or more on MBE taken
as a part of and at the same time as essay or other
Indiana Actual concurrent scaled score. written exam given by other jurisdiction and proof
Iowa Actual scaled score. of MPRE passing score of at least 75. Must be a
graduate of an ABA-approved law school.
Kansas A scaled score of 120 or more.
Minnesota May be eligible for admission without writ-
Kentucky A scaled score of 132 or more. ten examination, upon proof of admission in an-
Maine Applicant may transfer any scaled score. other jurisdiction and proof applicant has received
a scaled score of 145 or more on MBE taken as part
Maryland Actual scaled score. of and at the same time as essay or other written
Massachusetts Actual raw and scaled score. exam given by other jurisdiction. Evidence of score
and completed application must be received within
Michigan Actual scaled score. 2 years of date of exam.
Minnesota A scaled score of 145 or more. North Dakota May be eligible for admission without
written examination, upon proof of admission in
Mississippi Actual scaled score.
another jurisdiction and proof applicant received
Missouri Actual scaled score rounded to the nearest scaled score of 150 or more on MBE taken as a
whole number. part of and at the same time as essay or other writ-
ten exam given by other jurisdiction and proof of
New Jersey Actual scaled score.
MPRE passing score of at least 85. Petition for Ad-
New Mexico Actual concurrent scaled score. mission and proof of eligibility must be filed with
the Board within 2 years of date of exam in juris-
North Dakota Actual scaled score. diction of admission.
Oklahoma Actual scaled score.
How many times may exam be taken without
South Carolina Actual concurrent scaled score.
special permission?
South Dakota A scaled score of 130 or more. Rhode Island Limited to 5 failed examinations in Rhode
Vermont A scaled score of 135 or more. Island or any other state.
West Virginia Actual scaled score. South Carolina There is no limit on the number of times
but additional study is required after the third fail-
Wisconsin A scaled score of 135 or more. ure, making it impossible to sit but 1 time each
Wyoming A scaled score of 130 or more. year.
Northern Mariana Islands A scaled score of 120 West Virginia Limited to 4 failed examinations in West
or more. Virginia or any other state before special permis-
sion from the Board is required.
Palau A scaled score of 120 or more.
Virgin Islands A scaled score of 133 or more.
CHART VI: Days of Testing and MPRE, MPT, and MEE Requirements 21
Idaho’s “% MEE and/or local essay” portion of the written subcomponent combined score
weight was corrected from 50 to 33.3 in this online version of Chart VII. 2/18/2010
reporting period?
and written component combined? %
% Reported
(February/July) components? to the MBE? % % MPT 200-point MPRE
MEE and/or score
MBE Written and/or scale*
local essay scale
local PT
Jurisdiction Yes No Yes No Yes No
Alabama both 9 weeks X X X 50 50 40 10 128 128 75
reporting period?
and written component combined? %
% Reported
(February/July) components? to the MBE? % % MPT 200-point MPRE
MEE and/or score
MBE Written and/or scale*
local essay scale
local PT
Jurisdiction Yes No Yes No Yes No
North Dakota both 7 weeks X X X 50 50 30 20 260 — 80/85
Ohio both 12 weeks X X X 33 67 53.3 13.3 405 135 85
Florida The total score includes performance on a on the MPT and locally developed essay questions.
locally developed multiple-choice component. There is a separate minimum passing standard for
each component. To pass the examination, an ap-
Hawaii The written score includes performance on a lo- plicant must achieve a score of 135 or greater on
cally developed multiple-choice component that is the MBE and a score of 135 or greater on the writ-
weighted 5% and assesses Hawaii rules of profes- ten component. An applicant who achieves a score
sional responsibility. of 130–134 on either component can still pass if
Idaho Overall component combined score weights are the other component score exceeds 135 by 2 points
effective with the July 2010 examination. for each point by which the lower score was below
135.
Kentucky The examination includes both the MBE
and a written component that consists of equally Washington The examination is composed of a written
weighted performance on the MEE and locally de- component that consists of performance on locally
veloped essay questions. There is a separate mini- developed essay questions. To pass the examina-
mum passing standard on each component. To pass tion, an applicant must achieve an average score of
the examination, an applicant must achieve a score 70% or higher.
of 132 or greater on the MBE and an average score Wisconsin The written component of the examination
of 75 or greater on the written component. consists of performance on the MPT, the MEE, and
Louisiana The examination is composed of a written locally developed essay questions. The composi-
component that consists of performance on 9 lo- tion and weighting of these written subcomponents
cally developed sections. The minimum passing is determined individually for each administration.
standard on each section is a score of 70. To pass Wyoming The examination includes both the MBE and
the examination, an applicant must achieve the a written component consisting of performance
minimum passing standard on 7 sections including on 10 locally developed essay questions. There
the 4 that cover Louisiana Code topics. is a separate minimum passing standard for each
New York The total score includes performance on a component. To pass the examination, an applicant
locally developed multiple-choice component that must achieve a score of 130 or greater on the MBE
is weighted 10%. and an average score of 70 or higher on the written
component (and achieve 70 or greater on at least 6
South Carolina The examination includes both the MBE out of 10 essays).
and a written component that consists of perfor-
mance on 6 locally developed essay sections. There Northern Mariana Islands The examination includes
are separate minimum passing standards for the both the MBE and a written component that con-
MBE and essay sections—a score of 125 or greater sists of performance on the MPT, locally developed
on the MBE and a score of 70 or greater on each essay questions, and the MEE. There is a separate
essay section. To pass the examination, an appli- minimum passing standard for each component. To
cant must meet the minimum passing standards on pass the examination an applicant must achieve a
6 of 7 sections (the MBE is considered a section). score of 120 or greater on the MBE and an average
A score of 110 or less on the MBE results in auto- score of 65% or greater on the written component.
matic failure. Palau The examination includes both the MBE and a
Tennessee The examination includes both the MBE and written component that consists of performance
a written component that consists of performance on locally developed essay questions. There is a
on 12 locally developed essay questions. There is a separate minimum passing standard for each com-
separate minimum passing standard for each essay. ponent. To pass the examination an applicant must
To pass the examination, an applicant must achieve achieve a score of 120 or greater on the MBE and
1) a score of 125–129 on the MBE and meet the an average score of 65% or greater on the written
minimum passing standards on 9 essays, or 2) a component.
score of 130–134 on the MBE and meet the mini- Puerto Rico The combined passing score is 596
mum passing standards on 8 essays, or 3) a score of points out of 1,000. Exam dates are in March and
135 or greater on the MBE and meet the minimum September.
passing standards on 7 essays.
Texas The total score includes performance on a locally
developed short-answer component that is weighted
10% and assesses Texas and/or federal rules related
to Procedure and Evidence.
Vermont The examination includes both the MBE and
a written component that consists of performance
Do your rules provide for admission on motion? South Carolina Admission on motion only for dean or a
tenured professor of the University of South Caro-
Alabama Effective in September 2006, a lawyer who lina School of Law.
actively practiced 5 of the past 6 years who be-
comes a permanent resident or certifies the inten- Virginia An applicant must intend, promptly after being
tion to maintain and conduct the primary practice admitted to practice in Virginia without examina-
of law may be admitted without examination. tion, to establish his or her office in Virginia and to
practice full-time from such Virginia office.
Arizona Effective January 1, 2010, the Arizona Su-
preme Court will allow admission on motion. Must Washington Limited license for representation of mili-
have actively practiced 5 of the past 7 years, at least tary personnel only. All other motion applicants are
1,000 hours each year, and held an active law li- admitted on the basis of reciprocity with state of
cense for that duration. Professorship recognition origin.
requires full-time law school professorship. Active Guam Only government attorneys may be admitted
practice cannot have constituted unauthorized prac- temporarily without written examination and only
tice in a jurisdiction. Applicant must have been ad- for the purposes of government employment. Gov-
mitted by bar examination in reciprocal jurisdiction ernment attorneys applying for temporary admis-
to qualify. Applicant may not have failed Arizona sion must still undergo a character and fitness in-
bar examination within past 5 years. Prior members vestigation. Attorneys admitted under this rule are
of the State Bar of Arizona are not eligible for ad- only granted temporary admission for a maximum
mission on motion. of 5 years.
District of Columbia Attorney who has been a member Northern Mariana Islands Motion admission only
in good standing of the bar for 5 years; or attorney, extends to attorneys who will work for the
with J.D. from ABA-approved law school, admit- government.
ted by examination in jurisdiction, having attained
133 scaled MBE score and 75 scaled MPRE score, Virgin Islands On motion of authorized departments or
can be admitted without examination. agencies, an attorney may be specially admitted to
practice law before the VI Supreme Court and the
Hawaii Full-time faculty members at the University of Superior Court, without written examination and
Hawaii Law School who graduated from an ABA- as an employee of the department or agency. Once
approved law school and who have been admitted admitted, the specially admitted government attor-
to practice in another U.S. jurisdiction are eligi- ney must take the Virgin Islands Bar Exam within 2
ble. In addition, full-time active-duty uniformed- years and pass within 3 years; otherwise the special
service judge advocates may apply for limited ad- admission automatically expires.
mission without examination to represent, without
additional compensation, certain active-duty en- What is the number of years of practice required
listed military personnel and their dependents. for admission on motion?
Iowa Applicants who have failed 5 or more bar exami- Massachusetts Board requires proof that the applicant
nations are not eligible for admission on motion. has been actively engaged in the practice of law for
Maine Motion admission is currrently available to attor- 5 out of the past 7 years immediately preceding the
neys from New Hampshire and Vermont only. application.
Nevada Admission on motion for faculty of the National Minnesota Applicant must have been actively and law-
Judicial College, Boyd Law School, in-house cor- fully engaged in the practice of law for at least 5
porate, and some government agencies. of the 7 years immediately preceding the applica-
tion. The practice of law professors, military law-
New Jersey Law professors who have taught law full- yers and federal government lawyers which takes
time for the previous 5 years at 1 of the 3 New place outside a state where licensed is considered
Jersey law schools can be admitted on motion. In the lawful practice of law. Practice which occurs
addition, the law professor must have a J.D. or outside of a jurisdiction where licensed is also con-
LL.B. degree from an ABA-approved law school sidered the lawful practice of law so long as such
and be admitted by examination in at least 1 practice is authorized by the jurisdiction in which
other U.S. jurisdiction. the practice takes place.
North Dakota If application is based on MBE scaled Mississippi Practice requirement is determined by the
score of 150 or above and admission in the jurisdic- applicant’s originating jurisdiction with a mini-
tion of examination, active practice not required. mum of 5 years of active practice in the originating
Evidence of MBE score and completed application jurisdiction in which the applicant was licensed and
must be received within 2 years of the exam date. in good standing.
Nebraska Admission without examination if applicant Must an applicant for admission on motion be a
has actively practiced law 5 of 7 years preceding graduate of an ABA-approved law school?
application, and has received his/her first profes-
sional degree from an ABA-approved law school. Connecticut Must be a graduate of a law school ap-
Or admission without examination if applicant has proved by bar examining committee.
passed a bar examination equivalent to Nebraska Indiana Effective January 1, 2009, graduation from an
exam, was admitted to practice, and has first degree ABA-accredited law school is no longer required of
from an ABA-approved law school. applicants for a Business Counsel License. Gradu-
New Hampshire Lawyers from Maine and Vermont may ation from an ABA-accredited law school is still
be admitted after 3 years of practice; all other law- required of applicants for a Provisional License.
yers must have practiced 5 of past 7 years. Maine Law school graduates from English-speaking
common-law countries may be eligible subject to
Utah Practice requirement is determined by the ap- an equivalency evaluation.
plicant’s originating jurisdiction with a minimum
of 3 years of practice in the originating jurisdic- Massachusetts Must be ABA-approved or authorized
tion during the 4 years preceding the filing of the by a state statute to grant the degree of bachelor of
application. laws or J.D. at the time of graduation.
Michigan Applicant must have a J.D. from a reputable
Vermont Lawyers from New Hampshire and Maine and qualified law school. Law schools fully or pro-
may be admitted after 3 years of practice; all other visionally approved by the ABA on the date the ap-
lawyers must have practiced 5 of the past 10 years plicant’s degree is conferred are considered to be
unless current jurisdiction requires fewer than 5 reputable and qualified.
years.
Mississippi Applicant must have a J.D. from an ABA-
Washington Both the length of active practice and the approved law school unless applicant comes from a
type of practice permitted are determined by the re- reciprocal jurisdiction that does not require it.
quirements of the applicant’s originating jurisdic-
New Hampshire Foreign law school graduates who meet
tion. Motion applicants must show that they have
other requirements and who are licensed in another
the same length and type of practice that would be
state are eligible for admission on motion. Gradu-
required of applicants from Washington who seek
ates of 2 non-ABA-approved schools in Massachu-
admission in the originating jurisdiction.
setts are also eligible.
Wisconsin Applicants who failed the Wisconsin bar West Virginia Must be ABA-approved or its equivalent.
exam are not eligible for admission on motion.
Maine Reciprocity is limited to New Hampshire and Mississippi Provided that the laws from the state from
Vermont attorneys. which the applicant comes grant similar privileges
to attorney applicants from Mississippi.
Mississippi Provided that the laws from the state from
which the applicant comes grant similar privileges Ohio Applicant who has been admitted in another ju-
to attorney applicants from Mississippi. risdiction by diploma privilege is eligible for ad-
mission without examination only if applicant has
Oregon Provided that the laws from the state from also taken and passed the bar examination and been
which the applicant comes grant similar privileges admitted as an attorney-at-law in the highest court
to attorney applicants from Oregon. Attorneys who of another state or the District of Columbia.
are licensed in Washington, Idaho, Utah, or Alaska
and apply for admission on motion on or before Tennessee Must file a petition with the board setting
December 31, 2015, need only demonstrate active, forth reasons why he/she should be admitted; a
substantial, and continuous practice of law for 3 hearing is held in response.
of the preceding 5 years prior to filing the applica-
tion. For all other states, attorneys must have law- To qualify for Attorneys’ Exam, must an applicant
fully engaged in practice for 5 of 7 years preceding be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school?
application. Maine If applicant is not a graduate of an ABA-approved
Vermont New Hampshire and Maine attorneys may be law school, the applicant must have engaged in the
admitted after 3 years of practice. practice of law for 3 years in the U.S. jurisdiction
where admitted.
If state of initial admission requires examination of Maryland If the attorney applicant has practiced law for
all applicants, do you require examination of attor- 10 years, or 5 years in the immediate past 10 years,
ney applicants? following admission by examination in another
jurisdiction, applicant is eligible for special attor-
California Attorney applicants who have been admitted
ney exam and need not be a graduate of an ABA-
as active members in good standing 4 or more years
approved law school.
may qualify to take the Attorneys’ Exam, which is
the written portion of the general bar exam (2 days Rhode Island Applicant who is not a graduate of an
out of 3). All other attorney applicants must take ABA-approved school may sit for the Attorneys’
the general bar exam. Exam with 5 years of active full-time practice.
Georgia Attorney from a nonreciprocal state may sit for Utah May sit for the Attorneys’ Exam if applicant is a
the Attorneys’ Exam. graduate of an ABA-approved law school, has been
licensed for 5 years, and has been in active practice
Rhode Island Must sit for 3 local questions, 1 MPT
for 4 of 5 years preceding application.
question, and 6 MEE questions.
If a foreign law
If graduates of foreign law schools Does your
school graduate
If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible to take the are eligible for admission without jurisdiction
Are graduates obtains an
bar examination under the rules in your jurisdiction, examination under the rules recognize with
of foreign law LL.M. or other
are any of the following required? in your jurisdiction, which of the regularity the
schools eligible graduate law
following are also required? sufficiency of a
for admission degree from an
legal education
in your ABA-approved
received at any
jurisdiction? school, is the
Admission in another
at an ABA-approved
home jurisdiction
U.S. jurisdiction
particular
A determination
of educational
U.S.
graduate then
Admission in
common law
educational
equivalency
equivalency
jurisdiction
law school
in English
foreign
eligible to take
law school?
another
the bar exam?
Alabama X X X X X X X X
Alaska X X X X X X X
Arizona X X X
Arkansas X X X
California X X X X X X X
Colorado X X X X X
Connecticut X X X
Delaware X X X
Dist. of Columbia X X X X X
Florida X X X
Georgia X X X
Hawaii X X X X X
Idaho X X X
Illinois X X X X X
Indiana X X X
Iowa X X X
Kansas X X X
Kentucky X X X X
Louisiana X X X X
Maine X X X X X
Maryland X X X
Massachusetts X X X X X X X
Michigan X X X
Minnesota X X X
Mississippi X X X
Missouri X X X X X X
Montana X X X
Nebraska X X X
Nevada X X X X X X
New Hampshire X X X X X X X X X
New Jersey X X X
New Mexico X X X X
New York X X X X X
If a foreign law
If graduates of foreign law schools Does your
school graduate
If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible to take the are eligible for admission without jurisdiction
Are graduates obtains an
bar examination under the rules in your jurisdiction, examination under the rules recognize with
of foreign law LL.M. or other
are any of the following required? in your jurisdiction, which of the regularity the
schools eligible graduate law
following are also required? sufficiency of a
for admission degree from an
legal education
in your ABA-approved
received at any
jurisdiction? school, is the
Admission in another
at an ABA-approved
A determination of
Legally educated
home jurisdiction
U.S. jurisdiction
particular
U.S.
graduate then
Admission in
common law
educational
educational
equivalency
equivalency
jurisdiction
law school
in English
foreign
eligible to take
law school?
another
the bar exam?
North Carolina X X X
North Dakota X X X
Ohio X X X X X X
Oklahoma X X X
Oregon X X X X X
Pennsylvania X X X X X
Rhode Island X X X X X
South Carolina X X X
South Dakota X X X
Tennessee X X X X X
Texas X X X X X X
Utah X X X X X X
Vermont X X X X X X X X
Virginia X X X X X
Washington X X X X X X
West Virginia X X X X X X
Wisconsin X X X X
Wyoming X X X
Guam X X X
Northern
X X X
Mariana Islands
Palau X X X
Puerto Rico X X X
Virgin Islands X X X X X
See supplemental remarks.
If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible to Hawaii Applicant must be admitted to practice and be
take the bar examination under the rules in your in good standing before the highest court in foreign
country where English common law is the basis of
jurisdiction, are other elements required?
jurisprudence and where English is the language
Alaska A graduate of a foreign law school in which the of instruction and practice in the courts, and must
principles of English law are taught may be eligi- have actively practiced for 5 of the past 6 years
ble to take the bar exam if he or she submits proof prior to filing the application for admission by
that 1) the law school from which he/she graduated examination.
meets the ABA’s standards for approval; and 2) he/ Illinois Graduates of foreign law schools who are li-
she has successfully completed 1 year at an ABA- censed and in good standing in country confer-
approved law school, including successful comple- ring law degree or in a U.S. jurisdiction, who have
tion of 1 course in U.S. Constitutional Law and 1 actively and continuously practiced under such
course in U.S. Civil Procedure, or is a member in license(s) for 5 of the 7 preceding years, and the
good standing of the bar of 1 or more states, territo- quality of whose legal and other education has been
ries, or the District of Columbia and was admitted determined acceptable by the Board may apply to
to the bar of that state, territory, or the District of take bar exam.
Columbia after written examination.
Iowa The Supreme Court has allowed foreign law
California Foreign law school graduates must request school graduates to present their academic records
individual evaluation to determine legal education to one of our ABA-accredited law schools for an
equivalency. Graduates from foreign law schools evaluation. The law school prepares a proposed
may qualify to take the California bar exam if they course of study, which would render the applicant
complete an additional 1 year of law study at an educationally qualified to take the bar examination.
ABA-approved or California-accredited law school If the court approves the course of study and the
which includes a certain number of credits in bar applicant successfully completes it, the applicant
examination subject matter. Foreign-educated law can sit for the bar exam if otherwise qualified. The
students who did not graduate are not eligible to take process is not contained in a court rule.
the exam and are required to either graduate with Kentucky An attorney who is a graduate of a foreign
a J.D. degree at an ABA-approved or California- law school can apply for an education evaluation to
accredited law school or complete 4 years of law determine if applicant’s legal education is substan-
study at a law school registered in California and tially equivalent to the Kentucky law school educa-
pass the First-Year Law Students’ Exam. Foreign tion. If the law school is approved, the applicant
law school graduates who are admitted to practice may sit for the bar exam if he/she has been actively
in any jurisdiction do not have to complete any ad- and substantially engaged in the practice of law for
ditional law study to qualify to take the bar exam. 3 of the last 5 years.
Colorado Must have practiced actively and substan- Maine Must satisfy requirements of Regulation for De-
tially for 5 of the previous 7 years in jurisdiction termining Equivalency of Foreign Legal Education
where admitted. and have practiced for 3 years in the jurisdiction
Connecticut An applicant who otherwise does not meet where licensed.
the educational requirements may be eligible to sit Maryland A graduate of a non-ABA-approved law school
for the exam if he/she meets certain conditions. Con- (foreign or domestic) must first be admitted by exam
ditions include admission before the highest court in another U.S. jurisdiction to qualify to apply for
of original jurisdiction in a U.S. state, the District a waiver to take the Maryland bar examination.
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Massachusetts A graduate from a foreign law school
or a U.S. District Court for 10 or more years, good may be permitted to sit for the bar exam after tak-
standing in such jurisdiction, active practice of law ing further legal studies designated by the Board.
in that jurisdiction for 5 of the last 7 years, and an Foreign law school graduates must obtain a deter-
intention to actively practice law in Connecticut and mination of their educational equivalency from the
to devote a majority of his/her work to such practice. Board prior to making application.
District of Columbia Applicant may be permitted to take New Hampshire Graduate must be legally trained in
bar examination upon successful completion of 26 common law and a determination of educational
semester hours of study at an ABA-approved law equivalency is required. Graduate must be a mem-
school; semester hours must be in subjects covered ber in good standing in home jurisdiction. In addi-
in the bar examination. All such 26 semester hours tion, one of the following requirements must also be
shall be earned in courses of study, each of which is met: additional education at an ABA-approved law
substantially concentrated on a single tested subject. school or admission in another U.S. jurisdiction.
New Mexico Applicant may take exam if he/she is li- approved law school; or he/she has 3 out of last
censed in another state within the United States and 5 years of lawful practice in the foreign nation or
has practiced there 4 of 6 years prior to application. elsewhere, demonstrates that the law of the foreign
nation is comparable to that of Texas, and holds an
New York Applicant must complete period of law study LL.M. from an ABA-approved law school. In all
equivalent in duration and substance to that speci- events, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she
fied in New York rules in law school recognized by holds the equivalent of a J.D. If licensed by another
competent accrediting agency of the government of U.S. jurisdiction refer to Chart III.
such foreign country. All applicants must have their
transcripts evaluated by the Board of Law Examiners Utah A foreign lawyer with a law degree from an Eng-
to determine if further study, in the form of a 20- lish common-law jurisdiction may sit for the bar
credit program at an approved law school in the exam after practicing law for 2 years in a common-
U.S., including basic courses in American law, law jurisdiction and completing 24 semester hours
is required. at an ABA-approved law school.
North Carolina The eligibility of foreign-trained appli- Vermont If applicant has been admitted to practice be-
cants is limited to those who had an LL.M. conferred fore highest court of a foreign country which is a
prior to August 1, 2005, the date of the pertinent common-law jurisdiction, Board may allow credit
rule change. for such study as it deems proper, and applicant
must pursue the study of law in Vermont for at least
Ohio If an applicant’s legal education was not received
2 years immediately preceding examination under
in the United States, the education must be evalu-
the supervision of an attorney who has practiced at
ated and approved by the Supreme Court as equiva-
least 3 years in Vermont.
lent to ABA-approved law school education. The
registration application may not be processed until Virginia Applicant for examination who has received a
the education is approved by the Supreme Court. portion of legal education in a foreign law school
and has received a degree other than J.D. or LL.B.
Oregon Applicant must be admitted to practice in a coun-
try where common law of England is the basis of its from ABA-approved law school must prove by
jurisprudence, and where requirements for admis- certificate from the dean of an ABA-approved law
sion to the bar are substantially equivalent to those school in Virginia that the foreign legal education
of Oregon, and applicant must be a graduate of a law together with the degree from the ABA-approved
school determined by an Oregon equivalency panel law school is equivalent to that required for an
to be equivalent to an ABA-approved law school. LL.B. or J.D. at such dean’s law school.
Pennsylvania Applicant must have completed law study Washington A foreign law school applicant who has
in a foreign law school, have been admitted and in been admitted to practice by examination in any
good standing at the bar of a foreign jurisdiction, jurisdiction where the common law of England is
and have practiced in the jurisdiction for 5 out of the basis of its jurisprudence and who has actively
the last 8 years. Applicant must also complete 30 practiced law for at least 3 of the 5 years immedi-
credit hours taken in specified subjects at an ABA- ately preceding the filing of the application or par-
approved law school. ticipates in the law clerk program may qualify to
take the bar exam.
Rhode Island Additional education at an ABA-approved
law school may be required. Also, a foreign law West Virginia If applicant is a law school graduate from
school must be approved by a dean of an ABA- a foreign country where the common law of Eng-
approved law school certifying that foreign degree is land exists as the basis of its jurisprudence; the
equivalent to that of an ABA-approved law school. educational requirements for admission in said
country are substantially the same as in West Vir-
Tennessee Applicant must prove undergraduate and law ginia; and applicant has successfully completed 30
school education are equivalent of that required by credit hours of basic courses at an ABA-approved
Tennessee rules. law school.
Texas A graduate of a foreign non-correspondence Puerto Rico Applicant must validate his or her studies,
law school accredited by its jurisdiction can take and obtain a law degree from an ABA-approved law
the exam if he/she holds a valid law license issued school or a law school approved by the Supreme
by that jurisdiction provided: he/she has 5 out of Court.
last 7 years of lawful practice in the foreign nation
or elsewhere and either demonstrates that the law Virgin Islands Eligibility is limited to applicants who
of the foreign nation or elsewhere is comparable come in under special admission provisions as set
to that of Texas or holds an LL.M. from an ABA- forth in the rules.
If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible for If a foreign law school graduate obtains an LL.M. or
admission without examination under the rules in other graduate law degree from an ABA-approved
your jurisdiction, which additional requirements law school, is the graduate then eligible to take the
also apply? bar examination?
California Applicant must have graduated and be eligible
District of Columbia The applicant has been a member
to take the admission exam in his/her foreign coun-
in good standing for 5 years of a court of general try and obtain an additional year of law study in
jurisdiction of any U.S. state or territory. certain courses at an ABA-approved or California-
Massachusetts The Board may, in its discretion, excuse accredited law school in order to qualify to take the
California Bar Exam.
applicants possessing degrees from law schools in
foreign countries, providing they have met the fol- Kentucky Applicant must still submit to education eval-
lowing requirements: a) provided verification from uation but additional degree has bearing on Board
the foreign court of having been admitted and in good decision.
standing in the foreign country for at least 5 years, Maine Applicant’s total education must be found to be
b) obtained prior Board approval of their educa- substantially equivalent.
tional equivalency and work history, c) provided Massachusetts Not automatically, but depends on con-
proof that their principal residence is in Mass- tent (course of study) as well as other facts.
achusetts, d) passed the MPRE, and e) satisfied the New Hampshire Not automatically. Applicant must
Board as to their good moral character and fitness. meet other requirements for foreign law school
New Hampshire Foreign law graduates are only eligible graduates.
for admission without examination if they meet New York In most cases, but there are other factors.
other requirements for reciprocal admission for Tennessee Applicant’s total education must be found
lawyers licensed in other states. to be substantially equivalent and applicant must
Ohio If an applicant’s legal education was not received complete 27 hours at an ABA-approved law school
or one-third credits needed at a Tennessee-approved
in the United States, the education must be evalu-
law school.
ated and approved by the Supreme Court. The ap-
plication for admission without examination may Texas A graduate of a foreign non-correspondence
not be processed until the education is approved. law school accredited by its jurisdiction can take
the exam if he/she holds a valid law license issued
Vermont If the law school is approved by Court, each by that jurisdiction provided: he/she has 5 out of
request is reviewed individually first by the Board. last 7 years of lawful practice in the foreign na-
tion or elsewhere and either demonstrates that the
Wisconsin If eligible for admission on proof of practice law of the foreign nation is comparable to that of
elsewhere, having first been admitted to a recipro- Texas or holds an LL.M. from an ABA-approved
cal U.S. jurisdiction. law school; or he/she has 3 out of last 5 years of
lawful practice in the foreign nation or elsewhere,
Does your jurisdiction recognize with regularity demonstrates that the law of the foreign nation is
the sufficiency of a legal education received at any comparable to that of Texas, and holds an LL.M.
from an ABA-approved law school. In all events,
particular foreign law school? the applicant must demonstrate that he/she holds
Massachusetts Canadian Law Schools: University of the equivalent of a J.D.
Alberta; University of British Columbia; Univer- Virginia Applicant for examination who has received a
sity of Calgary; Dalhousie University; University portion of legal education in a foreign law school
of Manitoba; McGill University; University of and has received a degree from an ABA-approved
New Brunswick; University of Ottawa; Queen’s law school other than an LL.B. or J.D. must fur-
University; University of Toronto; University of nish proof by certificate from the dean of an ABA-
Victoria; University of Western Ontario; Univer- approved law school in Virginia that the foreign
legal education together with the approved law
sity of Windsor; York University (Osgood Hall Law
school degree is equivalent to that required for an
School); University of Saskatchewan. LL.B. or J.D. in such dean’s law school.
New York Graduates of 3-year programs at Oxford, Palau A graduate of a foreign law school accredited in
Cambridge, or University of London (internal pro- that country is eligible with or without a graduate
gram) may be admitted to the bar exam. law degree from an ABA-approved law school.
Does your jurisdiction license, register, or certify the indigent clients of the designated legal services
program and is valid for a period of 15 months.
any categories of practitioners on a special basis
(that is, other than via the regular examination or A house counsel license may be applied for on a
motion process)? temporary or permanent basis. A house counsel li-
cense is limited as to duration and scope of prac-
Alaska A person who is admitted and in good standing tice. Applicant must have been actively and law-
in another state may work for Alaska Legal Ser- fully engaged in the practice of law for at least 3 of
vices indefinitely if he/she has not failed the Alaska the previous 5 years.
bar exam.
Nevada Must be employed by a legal aid bureau, public
Arizona Corporate counsel must register with the State defender, or district attorney agency on a full-time
Bar of Arizona; registration process does not con- basis, or employed as in-house counsel.
stitute licensure for practice of law in Arizona. Pur-
suant to Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(d), (e), New Jersey An attorney who is in good standing in
and (f), limited practice in law school clinical pro- another jurisdiction may practice law in New Jer-
grams, legal services organizations, and pro bono sey for up to 2½ years with an approved legal ser-
legal services organizations is allowed through vices program. In-house counsel not admitted to
registration with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. the bar of New Jersey are required to obtain a lim-
These programs do not constitute licensure to prac- ited license to practice law.
tice law in Arizona. New Mexico Supreme Court has approved a 1-year lim-
California The State Bar of California’s Multijuris- ited license for government attorneys and a 3-year
dictional Practice program permits qualified non- limited license for legal services attorneys.
California attorneys to practice a limited scope of New York An attorney who has not failed the New York
law in California. An attorney who is licensed to bar exam may be admitted for up to a period of
practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction may apply to be 18 months if employed by a government agency or
registered in the In-House Counsel Program or the legal services program to appear solely on behalf of
Legal Services Attorney Program. Attorneys regis- clients of the program.
tered in these programs are not required to take the
California bar exam but must submit an application Rhode Island Corporate counsel may practice without
for a moral character determination. admission.
Colorado Corporate Counsel must register with the South Carolina Limited licenses for in-house counsel,
Office of Attorney Regulation. law school clinic program teachers, and pro bono
representation by retired or inactive lawyers.
Indiana Offers a “Business Counsel License.”
South Dakota Must be employed by a bar association,
Iowa Any attorney not admitted in Iowa, but who main- sponsored or governmentally funded legal aid bu-
tains an office or a presence in the state for the reau, or public defender agency. Admission is ef-
practice of law as house counsel, must register with fective until the earliest of (1) failure to sit for first
the Supreme Court. bar exam subsequent to order of admission, (2) an-
Kansas Temporary admission on motion without exam- nouncement of bar exam results, (3) termination of
ination of attorneys performing restricted legal ser- employment, or (4) termination of admission by
vices for single employers. the Supreme Court.
Kentucky Legal service and pro bono admissions are Tennessee As of January 1, 2010, Tennessee will per-
limited to certain employees of an organized pub- mit registration of in-house counsel only (MJP).
lic defender or legal services program in Kentucky. Washington Permits limited license for indigent repre-
The license is limited to a period of 18 months. sentation, law school clinic faculty, and non-U.S.
Maryland Special license for attorneys who are associ- in-house counsel.
ated with an organized legal services program that Wisconsin Counsel not admitted in Wisconsin, but ad-
is sponsored or approved by Legal Aid Bureau, mitted in any other jurisdiction, must register with
Inc., enabling them to practice law in Maryland for the Board within 60 days of hire as in-house/corpo-
a period not to exceed 2 years. Corporate counsel rate counsel. After 3 years from date of registration,
may advise their employers without admission.
the attorney is eligible for admission on proof of
Minnesota A temporary legal services license may be practice. For attorneys who filed within 90 days of
applied for when an applicant has accepted employ- the effective date of the rule (January 1, 2009), all
ment in Minnesota with a legal services program. prior service may be counted for admission based
The license authorizes practice solely on behalf of on proof of practice.
Palau An attorney employed on salary by national gov- South Carolina Limited license for retired or inactive
ernment or any state government of Palau or by Mi- lawyers to participate in the provision of legal ser-
cronesian Legal Services may practice law for a pe- vices by approved legal services organizations or
riod of up to 4 years without taking the bar exam. the pro bono program of the South Carolina Bar.
Basic Information
Additional Requirements
Admission on Motion
www.abanet.org/legaled