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Obtaining a license to practice law (also referred to as being “admitted to the barâ€�) in a jurisdiction is governed and overseen by each jurisdiction’s Board of Bar Examiners (or a similarly titled entity). Thus, each jurisdiction’s licensure requirements vary, but the processÌýtypicallyÌýinvolves the following elements:
- Satisfactorily and timely applying for, taking, andÌýearning a minimum score required by the jurisdiction on theÌýBar Exam.Ìý
- Completing and satisfying the jurisdiction’sÌýCharacter & FitnessÌýprocess.
- Satisfactorily and timely applying for, taking, andÌýearning a minimum score required by the jurisdiction on theÌýMultistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
Completion of the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Ìý-accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program meets state educationalÌýrequirements to apply for admission to every state's bar. However, states may specify minimum and/or maximum types of credits in various categories of courses (e.g., in-classroom vs. non-classroom, skills training, etc.), and require the candidate to pass state law exams to be eligible for admission. Any student interested in gaining admission to practice in a particular jurisdiction is strongly advised to work with an advisor to find and understand the jurisdiction’s application and eligibility requirements.
Links to state bar admissionÌýrequirements are below.Ìý
Alabama
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete anÌýÌýadministered by the Alabama State Bar Admissions OfficeÌýto be eligible for admission to theÌýAlabamaÌýbar.Ìý
Alaska
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete aÌýÌýadministered by the Alaska Bar AssociationÌýto be eligible for admission to the AlaskaÌýbar.Ìý
Arizona
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete anÌýÌýadministered by the Arizona Supreme CourtÌýto be eligible for admission to theÌýArizonaÌýbar
Arkansas
California
Colorado
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete aÌýÌýadministered by the Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation CounselÌýto be eligible for admission to the ColoradoÌýbar.Ìý
Connecticut
Delaware
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete aÌýÌýin Delaware under the supervision of a Delaware attorneyÌýand attend aÌýÌýadministered by the Delaware Board of Bar ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to theÌýDelawareÌýbar.ÌýÌý
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýanÌýÌýadministered by the Maryland State Board of Law ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to the MarylandÌýbar.Ìý
Massachusetts
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete anÌýÌýadministered by the Massachusetts Board of Bar ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to theÌýMassachusettsÌýbar.Ìý
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýanÌýÌýadministered by the Missouri Board of Law ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to the MissouriÌýbar.Ìý
Montana
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýtheÌýÌýadministered by the State Bar of MontanaÌýto be eligible for admission to the MontanaÌýbar.Ìý
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must complete anÌýÌýadministered by the New Mexico Board of Bar ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to the New MexicoÌýbar.Ìý
New York
The New York bar’s new academic eligibility requirements for J.D. graduates are detailed inÌýÌýand describedÌýhere.Ìý
It is your responsibility to read rule 520.3 in its entirety and understand its requirements. Please note that among other things, there are specific requirements on:Ìý the total number of credits taken; professional responsibility coursework; clinics, field placement and externships; skills requirements; the number of credits you may take in any semester; and the number of credits you may take outside of the Law School (including credits taken as part of a dual-degree program).ÌýWhen you apply to take the NY Bar exam, you will submit a Certification Form with your application substantiating your academic eligibility in these coursework categories. Review and complete this form very carefully and note the information that you are asked to provide — you may find it easier to have your transcript in front of you when you complete the form. The Certification Form you submit to the NY Bar Examiners (NYBOLE) is mailed to the Student Records Office for verification. Then SRO reviews all forms and mails all the NY Bar Certification Forms collectively via overnight delivery back to the NYBOLE before the application deadline.
In addition, an individual must complete anÌýÌýadministered by the New York State Board of Law Examiners to be eligible for admission to the New York bar.Ìý
North Carolina
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýtheÌýÌýto be eligible for admission to the North CarolinaÌýbar.Ìý
North Dakota
Ohio
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýanÌýÌýadministered by the Supreme Court of OhioÌýto be eligible for admission to the OhioÌýbar.Ìý
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýaÌýÌýadministered by the South Carolina Board of Law ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to the South CarolinaÌýbar.
South Dakota
Tennessee
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýtheÌýÌýadministered by the Tennessee Board of Law ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to theÌýTennesseeÌýbar.Ìý
Texas
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýanÌýÌýto be eligible for admission to the TexasÌýbar.Ìý
Utah
U.S. Virgin Islands
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýanÌýÌýadministered by the Virgin Islands Committee on Bar ExaminersÌýto be eligible for admission to theÌýVirgin IslandÌýbar.Ìý
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
In addition to completing the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ -accredited Juris DoctorÌý(J.D.) program, an individual must completeÌýtheÌýÌýadministered by the Washington State Bar AssociationÌýto be eligible for admission to the WashingtonÌýbar.Ìý