Lawyer Licensure
In order to practice law in any of the United States or other jurisdictions, you must be licensed, or “admitted to the bar” (as it’s also called), due to the rules established by the highest courts. Depending on which State or jurisdiction you’d like to practice law, admission to the bar requirements may vary. All States require you to pass their written bar examination, and almost all States require you to pass a separate written ethics exam. It’s important that prospective licensed lawyers choose which State they’d like to practice law in wisely. In most cases, if you’d like to practice law in another State, you have to take that State’s bar examination. Rarely can experience and good moral character alone get you admitted into a new States bar.
In order to qualify for the bar examination, most States require applicants to earn a college degree and graduate from an ABA-accredited law school. Being accredited ensures the school has met certain standards within its library and faculty. At the present time, no online law schools are accredited by the ABA. California is the only State that allows graduates of schools not approved by the ABA to practice law, as long as other requirements are met.
To learn more about Online Law Schools, click here.
As mentioned before, when it comes to requirements and certain standards, each State varies. There is no nationwide bar examination. Instead, States individually decide which exams examinees must take to meet their State’s requirements. Exams that a prospective attorney may have to take may include:
- MBE (Multistate Bar Examination)
- MEE (Multistate Essay Examination)
- MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination)
- MPT (Multistate Performance Test)
Bar Admission Requirements
In order to obtain a license to practice law, you must meet all requirements set by your State or jurisdictions bar. Generally, the following factors are similar throughout the 50 States when trying to gain admission into the bar. They include:
- Must be a resident or employed in the State
- Must have good moral character
- Must pass a bar examination
- Must have graduated from an accredited law school
Once you’ve met these requirements, the following must take place before you are able to practice law:
- Take an oath declaring your obligations to the court, state, and country as an officer of the court
- Register with the court
- Receive your license to practice law
- Find employment
Maintaining Your License
Once a lawyer graduates, the learning doesn’t stop. Like with most professions, lawyers must participate in continuing legal education (CLE). In 2008, CLE was mandatory in 46 States and jurisdictions. Joining CLE can help you stay updated of the latest changes in laws. Credits vary based on your State or jurisdiction, so its important to check with your State’s bar association to watch for changes, updates, etc. Many attorneys find continuing legal education courses though law schools, State and local bar associations, seminars and occasionally seminars on the internet.
