This chart indicates whether a jurisdiction offers additional licenses, registrations, or certifications on a special basis (that is, other than via the regular examination or motion process) and the associated fees. Fees such as for separate character and fitness (C&F) applications and/or investigations are included unless otherwise noted.
Supplemental Remarks
Alaska A person who is admitted and in good standing in another state may work for Alaska Legal Services indefinitely if he/she has not failed the Alaska bar exam. There is no application fee for military spouse temporary practice, but once the temporary waiver is granted, the attorney must pay bar dues.
Arizona Corporate counsel must register with the State Bar of Arizona. Pursuant to Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(d) legal services organizations and pro bono legal services organizations is allowed through registration with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Arizona allows military spouse attorneys who meet the requirements set forth in Rule 39(d) to apply for a one-year temporary admission with annual renewal subject to compliance with requirements and payment of application fee. Fee amount is dependent upon years of prior admission in another jurisdiction.
California The State Bar of California’s Multijurisdictional Practice program permits qualified non-California attorneys to practice a limited scope of law in California. An attorney who is licensed to practice law in a US jurisdiction may apply to be registered in the In-House Counsel Program, the Legal Aid Program, or the Military Spouse Attorney Program. Attorneys registered in these programs are not required to take the California bar exam but must submit an application for a moral character determination.
Colorado Other limited license categories include Judge Advocate (JAG) ($50), Law Professor ($500), Practice Pending Admission ($200), and Law Student (no fee). Limited licenses must be registered with the Office of Attorney Registration.
Connecticut The Military Spouse Temporary License will be valid for 3 years provided certain requirements are met. The temporary license may be renewed for one additional 2-year period upon application and $300 fee.
Delaware Active attorneys may register as private legal service lawyers or government/corporate counsel. Private legal service lawyer fees are graduated based on years of admission elsewhere.
Florida There is not a separate fee, but authorized legal aid practitioners must file a bar application and make arrangements, including payment of applicable fees, to take the next available Florida Bar Examination. The graduated bar examination fee for attorneys is based on years of admission elsewhere. The military spouse rule allows an attorney licensed to practice law in another jurisdiction who is the spouse of a service member to obtain authorization to practice law in Florida for up to 5 years without taking the Florida Bar Examination while the service member is assigned to a duty location in the state, if all filing requirements and other criteria are met.
Illinois Attorneys licensed to practice in foreign jurisdictions are allowed to obtain a limited house counsel license.
Indiana Indiana has a temporary license for clinical faculty, legal services, public defenders, deputy prosecutors, and attorneys for the Indiana Department of Child Services providing litigation services in child welfare cases. Attorneys who qualify may also be admitted as pro bono publico attorneys.
Iowa Pro bono licensing under Iowa’s Emeritus Attorney License rule is available only to attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in Iowa or who are or have been admitted to practice law before the highest court of any other state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. The attorney must practice under the general supervision of an approved legal aid organization. The court welcomes inquiries and applications for admission from attorney spouses of full-time active duty service members in the United States Uniformed Services who are stationed in Iowa. For more, see https://www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/admissions/other-admission/military-spouse-admission/.
Kansas Temporary admission on motion without examination of attorneys performing restricted legal services for single employers.
Kentucky Legal service admissions are limited to certain employees of an organized public defender or legal services program in Kentucky. The license is limited to a period of 18 months but may be renewed. Military spouse temporary practice provisional admission requires 12 hours of Kentucky CLE and is renewable annually no more than 4 times.
Maine Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 89(c) provides that attorneys licensed in other states may apply for short-term fellowships or grants to fund their work with legal services organizations in Maine without being admitted to practice in Maine. Rule 89(c) was adopted to permit, for no more than 2 years, practice by such attorneys employed on a full-time basis and supervised by the organizations.
Maryland Special certification for attorneys licensed in another state who are associated with an organized legal services program that is sponsored or approved by Legal Aid Bureau, Inc., enabling them to practice in Maryland for a period not to exceed 2 years. Corporate counsel licensed in another state may advise their employers without admission in Maryland without any special license, registration, or certification. Registration fees for legal service attorneys and military spouse attorneys are waived if the attorney is working without compensation by the client or by the qualifying legal services entity.
Massachusetts Attorneys choosing “Pro Bono Inactive” status pay an annual registration fee of $61 to $201, depending upon the number of years of practice. Attorneys choosing “Pro Bono Retired” status pay no annual registration fee. Attorneys registered under either status are eligible to provide pro bono public legal services under the auspices of approved legal service organizations but are not permitted to perform legal services for any other person or entity. The Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners welcomes inquiries and petitions for Admission by Motion from attorney spouses of service members in the United States Uniformed Services. The Board is committed to working with the petitioner to accommodate their unique circumstances and to expedite the bar application process to the extent appropriate. Military spouse attorneys are encouraged to contact the Executive Director of the Board of Bar Examiners for more information regarding this process.
Minnesota A temporary legal services license may be applied for when an applicant has accepted employment in Minnesota with a legal services program. The license authorizes practice solely on behalf of the indigent clients of the designated legal services program and is valid for a period of 15 months. A house counsel license may be applied for on a temporary or permanent basis. A house counsel license is limited as to duration and scope of practice. Applicant must have been actively and lawfully engaged in the practice of law for at least 3 of the previous 5 years.
Missouri An applicant seeking a limited in-house counsel license must show that the applicant has accepted an offer of employment in Missouri as a lawyer exclusively for: a corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates; an association; a business; or a governmental entity and the employer’s lawful business consists of activities other than the practice of law or the provision of legal services. A limited license issued pursuant to this Rule 8.105 shall be automatically nullified if the lawyer’s employment in this state by the employer qualifying under Rule 8.105(a)(1) is terminated or if the lawyer is no longer licensed to practice law in another United States or foreign jurisdiction as required by Rule 8.105(a). To apply for military spouse temporary admission, applicants must be the dependent spouse of a full-time active duty service member of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a permanent duty station in Missouri or a contiguous state, actively licensed in another state or US jurisdiction, in good standing in all jurisdictions admitted, and have a presence in Missouri. The temporary admission granted for military spouses is valid for up to 5 years, and applicants who failed the Missouri Bar examination within 5 years prior to the date of application are ineligible.
Nebraska Nebraska military spouse rule does not call for a provisional license. Attorneys admitted under this rule retain the Nebraska license.
Nevada Limited certification also available for faculty of National Judicial College and Boyd School of Law, and designated governmental agencies.
New Hampshire Spouses of active military personnel assigned to New Hampshire may seek waiver of strict compliance with the duration of practice requirements of the rules governing admission by motion without examination and admission by transferred UBE score.
New Jersey An attorney who is in good standing in another jurisdiction may practice law in New Jersey with an approved legal services program. Legal Services employment rule permits house counsel working in New Jersey to provide pro bono representation under the supervision of Legal Services of New Jersey, Inc., or other approved organization. In-house counsel not admitted to the bar of New Jersey are required to obtain a limited license to practice law.
New Mexico See Rule Set 26 of the New Mexico Rules Governing Admission (NMRA) for rules regarding foreign legal consultants. Limited licenses are available for government, approved legal services, military spouse, and in-house counsel attorneys. See Rules 15-304, 15-305, 15-306, and 15-307 of the New Mexico Rules Governing Admission to the Bar.
New York An attorney who has not failed the New York bar exam may be admitted for up to a period of 18 months if employed by a government agency or legal services program to appear solely on behalf of clients of the program. New York does not have a Military Spouse Temporary Practice Rule; however, such applicants are encouraged to file a waiver petition under Court of Appeals Rule 520.14 seeking a waiver of strict compliance with the provisions of New York’s Admission on Motion Rule.
North Carolina A Military Spouse Comity Applicant, upon written application may, in the discretion of the Board, be granted a license to practice law per the requirements of Rule .0503 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in the State of North Carolina.
Ohio An Ohio attorney can register for Emeritus Status when they are only practicing law for a pro bono organization. They have a reduced biannual registration fee of $75. In addition to the $500 application fee, corporate counsel are also required to register within 30 days and pay the same registration fee as an active lawyer.
Oklahoma Bar exam applicants may be granted a temporary permit to practice law for not-for-profit legal services organizations until bar exam results are posted from the next succeeding bar examination.
Oregon To apply for military spouse temporary practice, applicants must provide proof of a JD from an ABA-approved law school, active status in another state or US jurisdiction, and good standing in all jurisdictions admitted; and must have a presence in Oregon as a spouse or domestic partner of a service member permanently stationed in Oregon.
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania offers Limited Admission of Spouses of Active-Duty Service Members of the United States Uniformed Services under Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners Rule 304. Applicants should review Rule 304 for detailed information: https://www.pabarexam.org/barules.htm.
Rhode Island The Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules allow out-of-state attorneys to practice law in Rhode Island as in-house counsel upon registering with the Court. In-house counsel attorneys may only practice law in Rhode Island on behalf of the corporation or other entity and cannot appear in court or in agency or municipal proceedings on behalf of the corporation or other entity without first obtaining pro hac vice admission. The Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules also allow for the temporary admission of out-of-state attorneys associated with programs that provide legal services to indigents which are either (1) funded in whole or in part by the federal government or by the Rhode Island Bar Foundation or (2) sponsored by a law school accredited and approved by the American Bar Association or (3) sponsored by the office of the Rhode Island Public Defender. The Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules also allow for the temporary admission of out-of-state attorneys associated with the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General.
South Carolina Limited licenses for in-house counsel, law school clinic program teachers. Limited license for retired or inactive lawyers to participate in the provision of legal services by approved legal services organizations or the pro bono program of the South Carolina Bar.
South Dakota Legal service lawyers must be employed by a bar association, sponsored or governmentally funded legal aid bureau, or public defender agency. Admission is effective until the earliest of (1) failure to sit for first bar exam subsequent to order of admission, (2) announcement of bar exam results, (3) termination of employment, or (4) termination of admission by the Supreme Court.
Tennessee The application fee for military spouse temporary practice can be applied to subsequent exam or comity application if within 2 years. The original term of the registration is 2 years and can be renewed for subsequent 1-year terms for $100. Foreign lawyers working as In-House Counsel and advising on the law of the jurisdiction in which the foreign lawyer was educated and admitted may register as Foreign Legal Counsel. For corporate counsel or foreign legal consultants, the fee for registering is $600 for a timely application; a $200 late fee is assessed if the registration application is filed more than 180 days after commencement of work in Tennessee.
Texas The State Bar of Texas, a separate judicial agency responsible for regulating Texas attorneys, may authorize out-of-state attorneys to provide pro bono legal services through established nonprofit legal service providers by participation in the New Opportunities Volunteer Attorneys (NOVA) Pro Bono Program. An attorney licensed in another US jurisdiction who is the spouse of a full-time military service member is eligible for a 3-year temporary law license, upon verification of license status and no history of disbarment. No licensing fees are required, but the temporary license holder must comply with dues and continuing education requirements of the State Bar of Texas.
Vermont Vermont provides for a pro bono emeritus license, a limited license that allows the licensee to practice law in Vermont only for or on behalf of persons of limited means under the auspices of a nonprofit organization, without fee or expectation of fee. Licensing fees and mandatory continuing legal education requirements are reduced for pro bono emeritus licensees. Also, attorneys admitted in other jurisdictions can obtain a pro bono emeritus license without getting admitted to the Vermont bar.
Virginia More information on each allowed admission can be found at https://barexam.virginia.gov/misc/other/other.html.
Washington Permits temporary limited license for indigent representation while awaiting exam and admission. House counsel includes foreign house counsel. Washington’s military spouse provision provides for regular practice, not temporary practice.
West Virginia An organized legal services or public defender program attorney may be admitted for up to 60 months without taking the bar examination or qualifying for admission on motion upon showing good moral character and fitness and admission in good standing in another jurisdiction.
Wisconsin Counsel not admitted in Wisconsin, but admitted in any other jurisdiction, must register with the Board within 60 days of hire as in-house/corporate counsel. After 3 years from date of registration, the attorney is eligible for admission on proof of practice. For attorneys who filed within 90 days of the effective date of the rule (January 1, 2009), all prior service may be counted for admission based on proof of practice.
Northern Mariana Islands Attorneys employed by the government or by Micronesian Legal Services are admitted on a limited basis without written examination. Limited admission carries a term of 4 years.
Palau An attorney employed on salary by national government or any state government of Palau or by Micronesian Legal Services may practice law for a period of up to 4 years without taking the bar exam.
Supplemental Remarks
Alaska A person who is admitted and in good standing in another state may work for Alaska Legal Services indefinitely if he/she has not failed the Alaska bar exam. There is no application fee for military spouse temporary practice, but once the temporary waiver is granted, the attorney must pay bar dues.
Arizona Corporate counsel must register with the State Bar of Arizona; registration process does not constitute licensure for practice of law in Arizona. Pursuant to Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(d), (e), and (f), limited practice in law school clinical programs, legal services organizations, and pro bono legal services organizations is allowed through registration with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. These programs do not constitute licensure to practice law in Arizona. Arizona allows military spouse attorneys who meet the requirements set forth in Rule 38(i) to apply for a oneyear temporary admission with annual renewal subject to compliance with requirements and payment of application fee. Fee amount is dependent upon years of prior admission in another jurisdiction.
California The State Bar of California’s Multijurisdictional Practice program permits qualified non-California attorneys to practice a limited scope of law in California. An attorney who is licensed to practice law in a US jurisdiction may apply to be registered in the In-House Counsel Program, the Legal Aid Program, or the Military Spouse Attorney Program. Attorneys registered in these programs are not required to take the California bar exam but must submit an application for a moral character determination.
Colorado Other limited license categories include Judge Advocate (JAG) ($50), Law Professor ($500), Practice Pending Admission ($200), and Law Student (no fee). Limited licenses must be registered with the Office of Attorney Registration.
Connecticut The Military Spouse Temporary License will be valid for 3 years provided certain requirements are met. The temporary license may be renewed for one additional 2-year period upon application and $300 fee.
Delaware Active attorneys may register as private legal service lawyers or government/corporate counsel. Private legal service lawyer fees are graduated based on years of admission elsewhere.
Florida There is not a separate fee, but authorized legal aid practitioners must file a bar application and make arrangements, including payment of applicable fees, to take the next available Florida Bar Examination. The graduated bar examination fee for attorneys is based on years of admission elsewhere. The military spouse rule allows an attorney licensed to practice law in another jurisdiction who is the spouse of a service member to obtain authorization to practice law in Florida for up to 5 years without taking the Florida Bar Examination while the service member is assigned to a duty location in the state, if all filing requirements and other criteria are met.
Illinois Attorneys licensed to practice in foreign jurisdictions are allowed to obtain a limited house counsel license.
Indiana Indiana has a temporary license for clinical faculty, legal services, public defender, and pro bono representation. Attorneys who qualify may also be admitted as pro bono publico attorneys.
Iowa Iowa corporate counsel must pay an $800 application fee and a $200 client security assessment. Pro bono licensing under Iowa’s Emeritus Attorney License rule is available only to attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in Iowa or who are or have been admitted to practice law before the highest court of any other state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. The attorney must practice under the general supervision of an approved legal aid organization.
Kansas Temporary admission on motion without examination of attorneys performing restricted legal services for single employers.
Kentucky Legal service and pro bono admissions are limited to certain employees of an organized public defender or legal services program in Kentucky. The license is limited to a period of 18 months. Military spouse temporary practice provisional admission requires 12 hours of Kentucky CLE, including 4 hours of ethics, and is renewable annually for no more than 4 times.
Maine Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 89(c) provides that attorneys licensed in other states may apply for short-term fellowships or grants to fund their work with legal services organizations in Maine without being admitted to practice in Maine. Rule 89(c) was adopted to permit, for no more than 2 years, practice by such attorneys employed on a full-time basis and supervised by the organizations.
Maryland Special certification for attorneys licensed in another state who are associated with an organized legal services program that is sponsored or approved by Legal Aid Bureau, Inc., enabling them to practice in Maryland for a period not to exceed 2 years. Corporate counsel licensed in another state may advise their employers without admission in Maryland and without any special license, registration, or certification. Registration fees for legal service attorneys and military spouse attorneys are waived if the attorney is working without compensation by the client or by the qualifying legal services entity.
Massachusetts Attorneys choosing “Pro Bono Inactive” status pay an annual registration fee of $61 to $201, depending upon the number of years of practice. Attorneys choosing “Pro Bono Retired” status pay no annual registration fee. Attorneys registered under either status are eligible to provide pro bono public legal services under the auspices of approved legal service organizations but are not permitted to perform legal services for any other person or entity. The Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners welcomes inquiries and petitions for Admission by Motion from attorney spouses of service members in the United States Uniformed Services. The Board is committed to working with the petitioner to accommodate his or her unique circumstances and to expedite the bar application process to the extent appropriate. Military spouse attorneys are encouraged to contact the Executive Director of the Board of Bar Examiners for more information regarding this process.
Minnesota A temporary legal services license may be applied for when an applicant has accepted employment in Minnesota with a legal services program. The license authorizes practice solely on behalf of the indigent clients of the designated legal services program and is valid for a period of 15 months. A house counsel license may be applied for on a temporary or permanent basis. A house counsel license is limited as to duration and scope of practice. Applicant must have been actively and lawfully engaged in the practice of law for at least 3 of the previous 5 years.
Missouri To apply for military spouse temporary admission, applicants must be the dependent spouse of a full-time active duty service member of the United States Armed Forces assigned to a permanent duty station in Missouri or a contiguous state, actively licensed in another state or US jurisdiction, in good standing in all jurisdictions admitted, and have a presence in Missouri. The temporary admission granted for military spouses is valid for up to 5 years, and applicants who failed the Missouri Bar examination within 5 years prior to the date of application are ineligible.
Nebraska Nebraska military spouse rule does not call for a provisional license. Attorneys admitted under this rule retain the Nebraska license.
Nevada Limited certification also available for faculty of National Judicial College and Boyd School of Law, and designated governmental agencies.
New Jersey An attorney who is in good standing in another jurisdiction may practice law in New Jersey with an approved legal services program. Legal Services employment rule permits house counsel working in New Jersey to provide pro bono representation under the supervision of Legal Services of New Jersey, Inc., or other approved organization. In-house counsel not admitted to the bar of New Jersey are required to obtain a limited license to practice law.
New Mexico See Rule Set 26 of the New Mexico Rules Governing Admission (NMRA) for rules regarding foreign legal consultants. Limited licenses are available for government and approved legal services attorneys. See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 of the New Mexico Rules Governing Admission to the Bar.
New York An attorney who has not failed the New York bar exam may be admitted for up to a period of 18 months if employed by a government agency or legal services program to appear solely on behalf of clients of the program. New York does not have a Military Spouse Temporary Practice Rule; however, such applicants are encouraged to file a waiver petition under Court of Appeals Rule 520.14 seeking a waiver of strict compliance with the provisions of New York’s Admission on Motion Rule.
Ohio An Ohio attorney can register for Emeritus Status when they are only practicing law for a pro bono organization. They have a reduced biannual registration fee of $75. Although there is no application fee for corporate counsel, they are required to register within 30 days and pay the same registration fee as an active lawyer.
Oklahoma To be eligible for a Special Temporary Permit, corporate counsel must be admitted in a reciprocal state; applicant is granted a permit, which must be renewed each year. Practice that occurs in Oklahoma under authority of a Special Temporary Permit cannot be used later to gain admission via motion/reciprocity. Bar exam applicants may be granted a temporary permit to practice law for not-for-profit legal services organizations until bar exam results are posted from the next succeeding bar examination.
Oregon To apply for military spouse temporary practice, applicants must provide proof of a JD from an ABA-approved law school, active status in another state or US jurisdiction, and good standing in all jurisdictions admitted; and must have a presence in Oregon as a spouse or domestic partner of a service member permanently stationed in Oregon.
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania offers Limited Admission of Spouses of Active-Duty Service Members of the United States Uniformed Services under Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners Rule 304. Applicants should review Rule 304 for detailed information: https://www.pabarexam.org/bar_admission_rules/304.htm.
Rhode Island The Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules allow out-of-state attorneys to practice law in Rhode Island as in-house counsel upon registering with the Court. In-house counsel attorneys may only practice law in Rhode Island on behalf of the corporation or other entity and cannot appear in court or in agency or municipal proceedings on behalf of the corporation or other entity without first obtaining pro hac vice admission. The Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules also allow for the temporary admission of out-of-state attorneys associated with programs that provide legal services to indigents which are either (1) funded in whole or in part by the federal government or by the Rhode Island Bar Foundation or (2) sponsored by a law school accredited and approved by the American Bar Association or (3) sponsored by the office of the Rhode Island Public Defender. The Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules also allow for the temporary admission of out-of-state attorneys associated with the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General.
South Carolina Limited licenses for in-house counsel, law school clinic program teachers. Limited license for retired or inactive lawyers to participate in the provision of legal services by approved legal services organizations or the pro bono program of the South Carolina Bar.
South Dakota Legal service lawyers must be employed by a bar association, sponsored or governmentally funded legal aid bureau, or public defender agency. Admission is effective until the earliest of (1) failure to sit for first bar exam subsequent to order of admission, (2) announcement of bar exam results, (3) termination of employment, or (4) termination of admission by the Supreme Court.
Tennessee The application fee for military spouse temporary practice can be applied to subsequent exam or comity application if within 2 years. The original term of the registration is 2 years and can be renewed for subsequent 1-year terms for $100. Foreign lawyers working as In-House Counsel and advising on the law of the jurisdiction in which the foreign lawyer was educated and admitted may register as Foreign Legal Counsel. For corporate counsel or foreign legal consultants, the fee for registering is $600 for a timely application; a $200 late fee is assessed if the registration application is filed more than 180 days after commencement of work in Tennessee.
Texas The State Bar of Texas, a separate judicial agency responsible for regulating Texas attorneys, may authorize out-of-state attorneys to provide pro bono legal services through established nonprofit legal service providers by participation in the New Opportunities Volunteer Attorneys (NOVA) Pro Bono Program. An attorney licensed in another US jurisdiction who is the spouse of a full-time military service member is eligible for a 3-year temporary law license, upon verification of license status and no history of disbarment. No licensing fees are required, but the temporary license holder must comply with dues and continuing education requirements of the State Bar of Texas.
Vermont Vermont provides for a pro bono emeritus license, a limited license that allows the licensee to practice law in Vermont only for or on behalf of persons of limited means under the auspices of a nonprofit organization, without fee or expectation of fee. Licensing fees and mandatory continuing legal education requirements are reduced for pro bono emeritus licensees. Also, attorneys admitted in other jurisdictions can obtain a pro bono emeritus license without getting admitted to the Vermont bar.
Washington Permits temporary limited license for indigent representation while awaiting exam and admission. House counsel includes foreign house counsel. Washington’s military spouse provision provides for regular practice, not temporary practice.
West Virginia An indigent legal services or public defender program attorney may be admitted for up to 60 months without taking the bar examination or qualifying for admission on motion upon showing good moral character and fitness and admission in good standing in another jurisdiction.
Wisconsin Counsel not admitted in Wisconsin, but admitted in any other jurisdiction, must register with the Board within 60 days of hire as in-house/corporate counsel. After 3 years from date of registration, the attorney is eligible for admission on proof of practice. For attorneys who filed within 90 days of the effective date of the rule (January 1, 2009), all prior service may be counted for admission based on proof of practice.
Northern Mariana Islands Attorneys employed by the government or by Micronesian Legal Services are admitted on a limited basis without written examination. Limited admission carries a term of 4 years.
Palau An attorney employed on salary by national government or any state government of Palau or by Micronesian Legal Services may practice law for a period of up to 4 years without taking the bar exam.
