Bar reciprocity can be a little bit difficult to understand at first. The varying rules and requirements that each state or U.S. jurisdiction possesses don’t make it any easier. If you are interested in transferring your bar admission to another locality, it is important that you understand each necessary condition for transferring in order to make your application go smoothly and to prepare yourself in the case of a bar examination requirement.
In this article, we will be discussing the basics of bar reciprocity. We’ll also be talking about how bar reciprocity works between states, what the uniform bar exam means for bar reciprocity, and giving you a breakdown of general state reciprocity requirements, so you can start your research into obtaining bar admission in a new jurisdiction.
Understanding Bar Reciprocity
Bar reciprocity, also commonly referred to as “admission on motion,” is the term for transferring your current bar admission into a new jurisdiction. Typically, this is done by waiving application requirements, such as retaking that particular jurisdiction’s bar exam. However, applicants may need to take state-specific exams, possibly retake the multistate professional responsibility exam (MPRE), and may need to meet work history requirements in addition to passing character and fitness investigations before being granted admission to the bar.
In states that don’t offer bar reciprocity, all applicants will be subjected to the same rules of applying to the bar in that jurisdiction. This means that you will most likely have to retake that jurisdiction’s bar exam in addition to retaking any professional exams and passing a character and fitness test.
In most cases, bar reciprocity is offered to those who are already practicing attorneys looking to move their practice from one jurisdiction to another. This is why there is a work history requirement in almost every jurisdiction that offers reciprocity. Those who are just out of law school may choose to take the uniform bar exam (which we discuss in more detail below) and can then transfer that score to a jurisdiction that also accepts the UBE within a certain time period (scores are generally accepted within 2 to 4 years after taking the exam) without needing to meet this work history requirement.
The Uniform Bar Exam and Reciprocity
The uniform bar exam (UBE) is a standardized bar exam that is accepted by certain U.S. jurisdictions. One of the benefits of taking the UBE over a state-specific bar exam is that you can transfer your UBE score to a jurisdiction that also accepts the UBE. This gives you greater control over your practice area and increases your options for where you can practice law.
The UBE is a 2-day test comprised of the multistate bar exam (MBE), the multistate essay examination (MEE), and the multistate performance test (MPT). The MBE contains 200 multiple-choice questions that cover a range of legal knowledge and is scored by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The MPT and MEE feature essay questions and other professional knowledge questions that have to do with the practical application of legal knowledge; the MPT and MEE are scored individually by each state.
States That Accept the Uniform Bar Exam
Currently, the uniform bar exam is only accepted by 36 states and jurisdictions, which we will list below. You can take the UBE in any of these states and transfer your score to any of the others. Keep in mind that you may need to complete additional state-designed testing requirements or professional exams in whichever jurisdiction you are transferring your score to.
You should also remember that states each set their own passing score, something you should understand before taking the UBE so that you know what you are aiming for. It is perfectly acceptable to take the UBE in one jurisdiction and then transfer your score to a jurisdiction where that score is passing, if it is not a passing score in your current jurisdiction.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Virgin Islands
To learn more about the UBE and transferring your score to different jurisdictions, you can check this interactive map of states that accept the UBE featured on the National Conference of Board Examiner’s website.
Bar Reciprocity by State
When it comes to bar reciprocity, some states may offer it, and some may not. You may also find that some of the same states that accept the UBE do not offer bar reciprocity beyond a certain time length. This means that you can transfer your bar score to that state soon after taking the UBE, but when that time limit is up, you will need to apply to that jurisdiction’s bar as a regular applicant.
You should keep in mind that while some states offer bar reciprocity, you may be required to complete additional testing, clerkship, or character and fitness requirements before you are eligible for admission to the bar in that state. You will also most likely need to have an active history of practicing the law in your current jurisdiction before you can apply for bar admission in a different area.
In general, you will be required to pay a fee with your application to another jurisdiction’s bar. This fee can range from $200 all the way up to $2,000. Make sure to check with your intended jurisdiction’s bar association to get a clear understanding of any fees or additional bar admission requirements before starting on your application.
Alabama
Alabama does offer bar reciprocity. To be eligible for bar admission in the state, you will need to be in active practice for 5 of the 6 years before submitting your application.
Alaska
There is bar reciprocity in Alaska. All applicants will need to have been in active practice for 5 of the 7 years preceding their application to the state’s bar.
Arizona
Arizona offers bar reciprocity, and all applicants will need to be in active law practice for 3 of the 5 years before their application to the state’s bar.
Arkansas
Arkansas offers bar reciprocity. All applicants will need to have practiced for 3 of the 5 years preceding their application.
California
There is no bar reciprocity in California, though the state does offer a modified bar exam to those who have actively practiced law for at least four years immediately preceding their bar application.
Colorado
Colorado does offer bar reciprocity. All applicants will need to have been in practice for at least 3 out of the 5 years preceding their application.
Connecticut
Bar reciprocity is offered in Connecticut. Applicants will need to have practiced for 5 out of 10 years before applying for bar admission in the state.
Delaware
There is no bar reciprocity in Delaware. All bar applicants must take and pass the Delaware Bar Exam, complete the state’s clerkship requirements, and pass the character and fitness investigation before being admitted to the state’s bar.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia does offer bar reciprocity and does not have any minimum required years of practice for bar applicants.
Florida
Florida does not provide bar reciprocity with any other jurisdiction. All applicants will need to take the state’s bar examination and complete a character and fitness investigation before being granted admission to the bar.
Georgia
Georgia offers bar reciprocity and requires that applicants have actively practiced law for 5 out of 7 years before applying to the state’s bar.
Hawaii
Does not have a reciprocity agreement with any other jurisdiction. All applicants must take the state’s bar exam and character and fitness test before being granted admission to the bar.
Idaho
Idaho does offer bar reciprocity. All applicants will need to have actively practiced for 3 out of 5 years before being eligible to apply.
Illinois
Bar reciprocity is offered in Illinois. Applicants will need to have practiced for 3 out of 5 years preceding their bar application in order to be eligible.
Indiana
Indiana offers bar reciprocity and requires all applicants to be active for 5 out of 7 years before applying to the state’s bar.
Iowa
Iowa does offer bar reciprocity. The state requires 5 out of 7 years of active practice in the years preceding any bar candidate’s application.
Kansas
There is bar reciprocity in Kansas, and all applicants will need to have practiced for 5 out of the 7 years before applying to the state’s bar.
Kentucky
Kentucky offers bar reciprocity and applicants will need to be in practice for 5 out of the 7 years preceding application to the state’s bar.
Louisiana
Louisiana doesn’t have a reciprocity agreement with any other U.S. jurisdiction, so all applicants to the state bar will have to take the Louisiana bar exam. However, the state may admit lawyers from certain jurisdictions in special scenarios. You will need to visit the state’s bar association website to learn more about this.
Maine
There is bar reciprocity in Maine. Candidates will need to have practiced law for 3 out of the 5 years before they turn in their application.
Maryland
Maryland does provide bar reciprocity, and applicants will need to have been in practice for 3 out of the 5 years preceding their application, or for 10 total years to be eligible for bar admission.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts offers bar reciprocity, and all applicants will need to have practiced law for 5 out of the 7 years before applying.
Michigan
Michigan provides bar reciprocity, and applicants must have been in active law practice for 3 out of the 5 years prior to their application.
Minnesota
There is bar reciprocity in Minnesota. Applicants will need to have a history of active practice for 3 out of 5 years prior to their application.
Mississippi
Mississippi does offer bar reciprocity, and applicants will need to have 5 consecutive years of practice before being eligible to apply.
Missouri
Bar reciprocity is offered in Missouri. Candidates will need to have been in active practice for 5 out of the 10 years prior to their application.
Montana
Montana provides bar reciprocity, and applicants need to have been in practice for 5 out of the 7 years preceding their application.
Nebraska
There is bar reciprocity in Nebraska. All applicants will need to have a practice history of 3 out of the 5 years prior to their application.
Nevada
There is no bar reciprocity of any kind in Nevada, and all applicants will have to take the state’s bar exam and other related tests when seeking admission to the bar in the state.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire does provide bar reciprocity. Applicants will need to have been in active practice for 5 out of the previous 7 years, or for the past 3 consecutive years before being eligible for bar admission.
New Jersey
New Jersey offers bar reciprocity. Candidates will need to have a history of 5 out of the previous 7 years in active practice before applying.
New Mexico
Bar reciprocity is available in New Mexico. All candidates will need to have been in practice for 5 out of the 7 years prior to their application.
New York
New York does offer bar reciprocity. All applicants will need to be in practice for 5 out of the 7 years preceding their application in order to be eligible for bar admission.
North Carolina
North Carolina does offer bar reciprocity. Candidates will need to be practicing actively for 4 out of 6 years preceding their application.
North Dakota
There is bar reciprocity in North Dakota, and all applicants will need a history of 4 years of active practice out of the previous 5.
Ohio
Ohio does offer bar reciprocity. Candidates will need to have been in active practice for 5 out of the previous 10 years to be eligible for bar admission.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma offers bar reciprocity. All applicants will need to have practiced law for five years out of the previous 7 before applying.
Oregon
There is bar reciprocity in Oregon, and candidates will need a work history of 5 out of the 7 years in active law practice in order to be eligible for admission to the state’s bar.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does offer bar reciprocity, and applicants will need to be in practice for at least 5 out of the 7 years before they turn in their application.
Rhode Island
All applicants to the Rhode Island bar must take the state’s bar examination first. The state does offer a modified bar exam for those who have actively practiced law for at least 5 out of the past 10 years. Rhode Island also accepts UBE scores (from the MBE section), but applicants will have to take the MPT and MEE again in the state.
South Carolina
South Carolina does accept UBE scores, as long as they are not older than 3 years. The state does not have any type of reciprocity with other jurisdictions, however. So, if you do not take the UBE or your score is older than 3 years, you will need to take the state’s bar exam before gaining admission to the bar.
South Dakota
There is bar reciprocity in South Dakota. Applicants will need to be in practice for 3 out of the 5 years preceding their application to the state bar association.
Tennessee
Tennessee provides bar reciprocity, and all applicants will need to be in active practice for 5 out of the 7 years preceding their application.
Texas
There is bar reciprocity in Texas and candidates will need to be in practice for 5 out of 7 years before turning in their applications to the state bar.
Utah
Utah offers bar reciprocity, and all applicants will need to be in practice for 5 out of the 7 years preceding their application.
Vermont
There is bar reciprocity offered by Vermont. Any applicant must have been in practice for 5 out of the 10 preceding years, or consistently for the past 3 years before applying for admission to the bar.
Virginia
Virginia does offer bar reciprocity. Applicants must have been actively practicing law for 3 out of the 5 years preceding their application to the state’s bar.
Washington
The state of Washington does offer bar reciprocity. Applicants must be in active practice for 3 out of the 5 preceding years to be considered for admission to the bar.
West Virginia
Bar reciprocity is offered in West Virginia. Applicants must have been involved in active practice of the law for at least 5 of the 7 preceding years before applying to the state’s bar.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin does offer bar reciprocity. Applicants must be involved in active practice of law for 3 out of the 5 preceding years to be considering for admission.
Wyoming
Wyoming offers bar reciprocity to applicants on an individual basis for those who meet the state’s Rules and Procedures for bar admission. Applicants must also have practiced for 5 of the 7 years preceding their application to be eligible.
Obtaining Bar Admission in Any Jurisdiction
Navigating your way to bar admission in any U.S. jurisdiction can be a confusing process, especially if you have been practicing in one area for a long time already. Fortunately, with the help of our full guide detailing bar reciprocity requirements in each jurisdiction, you should be able to have a good understanding of where to get started. And as long as you make sure to also reference the instructions on the bar association website of your indented jurisdiction, you should have no trouble obtaining bar admission anywhere.