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APPLICATION AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
NOTICE: The following information is provided as a summary of commonly asked questions
regarding application and admission requirements to practice law in Colorado. It is not intended
to fully address all application/admission policies and requirements. For the Instructions for
Filing an Application, as well rules governing admission to the practice of law in Colorado please
refer to: http://coloradosupremecourt.com/BLE/Application/AppForms.htm.
Please be advised that the Colorado Supreme Court recently adopted substantial changes to the
Colorado Supreme Court Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in Colorado. These
rules are effective on September 1, 2014 with the following exceptions:


C.R.C.P. 203.2 – Applications for Admission On Motion by Qualified Out-of-State
Attorneys shall be effective on July 1, 2014.
C.R.C.P. 203.4(2) – Applications for Admission by Colorado Bar Examination
(application filing deadlines) shall be effective January 1, 2015.
C.R.C.P. 201.1 to 201.14 are repealed as set forth in the above schedule. See chart on next page for
filing deadlines. To review obsolete C.R.C.P. 201.1 – 201.14 and new C.R.C.P. 202.1 to 212,
please refer to: http://coloradosupremecourt.com/BLE/BarApp.htm.
Our Mailing Address
Colorado Supreme Court
Office of Attorney Admissions
1300 Broadway, Suite 520
Denver Colorado 80203
Telephone Number: 303-928-7770
To Obtain an Application
All applications must be completed and submitted through the CiviCore™ Application Management
System (AMS). To access the application select the Online Application navigation option on this
website.
All applicants must obtain a unique identification number from the National Conference of Bar
Examiners (NCBE) as part of the application process. To obtain your NCBE number, go to:
https://secure.ncbex2.org/php/ncbe_number/views/home.php.
Application types are:
On Motion – C.R.C.P. 203.2
Admission to practice law without taking the bar examination based upon admission in a reciprocal
jurisdiction and the active practice of law for three out of five years immediately preceding
application to Colorado. On Motion applications may be filed at any time. See On Motion
eligibility requirements for further information.
Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014
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UBE Score Transfer – C.R.C.P. 203.3
Admission to practice law based upon a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score achieved in another
state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia within three years preceding
application for admission to the Bar of Colorado. UBE scores achieved more than three years but
less than five years preceding application to Colorado may be combined with two years of law
practice experience immediately preceding application to Colorado in order to qualify under this
rule. A UBE score must be at least that required to pass the Colorado Bar Examination based upon
standards of performance set by the Colorado Supreme Court. See UBE Score Transfer eligibility
requirements for more information.
Bar Examination – C.R.C.P. 203.4
Admission to practice law based upon successful completion of the Colorado Bar Exam. See
eligibility requirements to take the Colorado Bar Examination for more information. Exam
applications may be submitted beginning September 1 for the February exam and February 1 for
the July exam.
 Notice of Rule Change – C.R.C.P. 203.4 (2) (effective January 1, 2015) – Exam
filing deadlines will change as noted in the chart below.
Exam Filing Deadlines are as follows:
Exam Date
February 2015
July 2015
February 2016
July 2016
First Filing Deadline
December 1, 2014
April 1, 2015
November 1, 2015
April 1, 2016
Late Filing Deadline
Applications Accepted
December 31, 2014
May 1, 2015
December 1, 2015
May 1, 2016
September 1, 2014
February 1, 2015
September 1, 2015
February 1, 2016
All Application Types – C.R.C.P. 208
In addition to meeting the application filing requirements of a particular application type, all
applicants for a license to practice law in Colorado will undergo a thorough background
investigation. For Character and Fitness Admission Guidelines, please refer to:
https://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/BLE/BarApp.htm.
Certifications/Limited Admissions – C.R.C.P. 204 and 205
Applications for certification/limited admission as Single-Client Counsel, Foreign Legal
Consultant, Judge Advocate, Military Spouse, Law Professor, Pro Bono, Pro Hac Vice, Practice
Pending Admission, and Law Student Practice are processed through the Office of Attorney
Registration beginning September 1, 2014. Please refer to:
http://coloradosupremecourt.com/Registration/Registration.asp, or telephone (303) 928-7800.
Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014
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Eligibility Requirements for Admission On Motion
In accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, eligibility for On Motion admission in Colorado is available to
those who have been admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction “that allows admission On Motion” to
Colorado attorneys and who have “been primarily engaged in the active practice of law” for at
least three of the five years immediately preceding application to Colorado. For a list of reciprocal
jurisdictions, please refer to: http://coloradosupremecourt.com/BLE/BarApp.htm.
Persons who file an On Motion application, but who are not eligible to do so, may transfer the
application to the next scheduled bar exam. No refunds will be given. A decision to transfer an On
Motion application to the bar examination must be submitted in writing no more than 30 days
following the determination that an On Motion application is non-qualifying.
1.
Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 203.2, applicants for admission On Motion must:
a. be admitted in good standing “to the bar of another state, territory, or district of the United
States which allows admission to licensed Colorado attorneys On Motion without the
requirement of taking that jurisdiction’s bar examination;” and
b. hold a J.D or LL.B. degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association;
and
c. have been “primarily engaged in the active practice of law in one or more other” U.S.
jurisdictions for at least three of the five years “immediately preceding the date upon which
the application is filed” in Colorado; and
d. be in good standing “in all jurisdictions where admitted;” and
e. not be currently “subject to attorney discipline or the subject of a pending disciplinary matter
in any jurisdiction,” and be “current with all continuing legal education requirements;” and
f. possess the character and fitness required of all applicants for admission to the practice of law
in Colorado.”
2.
Successful completion of the MPRE with a scaled score of at least 85, taken on an examination
administered no more than two years prior to the date of application is also required. The MPRE
requirement need not be fulfilled prior to filing an application, but must be completed prior to
Supreme Court approval for admission to the Colorado Bar. See C.R.C.P 203.2(5).
3.
Successful completion the six-hour course on professionalism (within six months following
admission to practice law in Colorado) presented by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel
in cooperation with the Colorado Bar Association is also required. See C.R.C.P. 203.2(6).
Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2), On Motion applicants must “take the oath of admission
prescribed by the Supreme Court” no more than eighteen months following the application is approved
by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014
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Eligibility Requirements for Application by Uniform Bar Exam Score Transfer
In accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.3, admission based upon a qualifying Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)
score is available to those who have achieved a UBE score in another jurisdiction no more than
three years preceding application for admission in Colorado. A minimum qualifying UBE scaled
score of 276 is required. A UBE score earned more than three years but less than five years prior
to filing an application in Colorado may qualify with additional law practice experience. See
C.R.C.P. 203.3(2).
UBE scores are transferred directly from the National Conference of Bar Examiners to the Office
of Attorney Admissions through a secure communication link. UBE scores may not be transferred
until after the date upon which the scores were released in the jurisdiction where the UBE score
was achieved. UBE scores may be transferred to the Office of Attorney Admissions prior to
submitting an application; however, UBE score transcripts must be received no more than 45 days
after filing a UBE application in Colorado. Each candidate is responsible for requesting a UBE
score transfer from NCBE to this office. For instructions on transferring UBE scores, please refer
to: https://secure.ncbex2.org/php/ncbe_number/views/home.php.
Persons who file a UBE application, but whose application is determined not eligible, may transfer
the application to the next scheduled bar exam or withdraw the application. No refunds will be
given. A decision to transfer a UBE application to the bar examination or to withdraw a UBE
application must be submitted in writing no more than 30 days following the determination that a
UBE application is not eligible.
1.
Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 203.3 applicants for UBE Score Transfer admission must:
a. “have earned a UBE score that is passing, based upon the general standards of performance
set by the Colorado Supreme Court, in an administration of the UBE taken within the three
years immediately preceding the date upon which” an application is filed in Colorado;
b.
“hold a J.D. or LL.B. degree from a law school approved” by the American Bar Association;
c. be in good standing “in all jurisdictions where admitted; if any”
d. not be currently “subject to attorney discipline or the subject of a pending disciplinary matter
in any jurisdiction,” and
e. possess “the character and fitness required of all applicants for admission to the practice of
law in Colorado.”
f. A UBE score earned more than three years but less than five years prior to the date upon
which an application is filed in Colorado may qualify, if the applicant:
1)
has been “primarily engaged in the active practice of law” in another U.S. jurisdiction as
a licensed member in good standing for at least two years immediately preceding the
date upon which an application is filed in Colorado.
Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014
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2.
Successful completion of the MPRE with a scaled score of at least 85, taken on an examination
administered no more than two years prior to the date of application is also required. The MPRE
requirement need not be fulfilled prior to filing an application, but must be completed prior to
Supreme Court approval for admission to the Colorado Bar. See C.R.C.P. 203.3(3).
3.
Successful completion of the six-hour course on professionalism (within six months of admission
to practice law in Colorado) presented by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel in
cooperation with the Colorado Bar Association. See C.R.C.P. 203.3(4).
Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2), UBE score transfer applicants must “take the oath of admission
prescribed by the Supreme Court” no more than eighteen months following the date the application is
approved by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Eligibility Requirements for Admission by Examination
1.
Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 203.4 applicants for the bar examination must have received:
a. “a J.D. or LL.B. degree from a law school approved” by the American Bar Association;
b. “a J.D. or LL.B. degree from a state-accredited law school, provided that such applicant shall
have been admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction and shall have been primarily engaged in the
active practice of law…for three of the five years immediately preceding application for bar
examination admission in Colorado; or”
c. “a first professional law degree from a law school in a common law, English-speaking nation
other than the United States provided that” the applicant:
1) has “been admitted to the bar of the nation” in which “the first professional law degree”
was received “or in another foreign or United States jurisdiction;”
2) “is currently a member in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted; and”
3) has “been primarily engaged in the active practice of law…for three of the five years
immediately preceding application for admission” to practice law in Colorado.*
2.
Exam applicants must successfully complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam
(MPRE) with a scaled score of at least 85, taken on an examination administered no more than
two years prior to the date of application is filed in Colorado. The MPRE requirement need not
be fulfilled prior to filing an application, but must be completed prior to final Supreme Court
approval for admission to the Colorado Bar. See C.R.C.P. 203.4(5); and
3.
Exam applicants must complete “the course on professionalism, as described in C.R.C.P.
203.2(6) prior to and as a condition of admission. Credit for completion of the professionalism
course shall be valid for one full calendar year following completion of the course.” See C.R.C.P.
203.4(6).
Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014
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*
Foreign law school graduates must file a written Request for Determination of Eligibility to sit for the
Colorado Bar Exam with the Office of Attorney Admissions before filing an application to take the
examination . See C.R.C.P. 203.4(3)(c)(i)-(iii). For information and instructions for filing a petition
for determination of eligibility to sit for the bar exam under C.R.C.P. 203.4(3)(i)-(iii), please refer to:
http://coloradosupremecourt.com/BLE/Forms/. Select the option titled “Foreign Law School
Graduates.”
Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2), successful exam candidates must “take the oath of admission
prescribed by the Supreme Court” no more than eighteen months following the date on which the bar
results are announced.
Application Filing Fees
Application Type
On Motion
UBE
Exam
Fee
$ 1800.00
$ 810.00
$ 710.00
See Exam Filing Deadlines and Late Filing Penalty Fees.
See Application Instructions for information regarding policies on method of payment and dishonored
payment (rejected/declined/returned unpaid) penalties.
Exam Application Filing Deadlines
Applications must be filed using the most recent version of the CiviCore™ Application Management
System and forms.
Applications, supplemental documents and applicable fees must be submitted through the CiviCore™
application management system (AMS) no later than the applicable filing deadline. In addition, all
hard copy documents required for submission must be received on or postmarked no later than
December 1 for the February 2015 exam and April 1 for the July 2015 exam. Applications submitted
after these dates will be assessed applicable late penalty fees.
 Notice of Rule Change (effective January 1, 2015) – exam filing deadlines will change.
See Filing Deadlines table above.
Late Penalty Filing Fees
Late applications will be accepted through December 31 for the February 2015 exam
May 1 for the July 2015 exam
Late Fee Penalty Fee: $200
For those documents that must be uploaded electronically, as well as submitted in hard copy
(Statement of Verification, Authorization and Release Form, Fingerprints, and Photo) hard copies must
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be received by the Office of Attorney Admissions no later than December 31for the February 2015
exam and May 1 for the July 2015 exam. If an application is filed during the late filing period, hard
copy documents must be received no more than 15 days following submission of your application.
The date an application is filed will be deemed the date on which the fee is paid and the application
submitted through the CiviCore™ AMS. Electronic submission of an exam application after December
31 for the February 2015 exam and May 1 for the July 2015 exam will be denied regardless of the day
of the week on which the deadline falls.
 Notice of Rule Change – Effective January 1, 2015 exam filing deadlines will change.
See Filing Deadlines table above.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
All applicants (On Motion, UBE Score Transfer and Exam) must successfully complete the Multistate
Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) with a minimum scaled score of 85. Passing MPRE scores
are valid if achieved at an examination taken no more than two years prior to filing an application for
admission in Colorado. The MPRE need not have been completed prior to filing an application for
admission in Colorado; however, final approval for admission to practice law in this state will be held
in abeyance until valid MPRE scores have been received from the National Conference of Bare
Examiners and verified by the Office of Attorney Admissions. See C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2)
regarding time limits for taking the oath of admission.
You may obtain MPRE information, file an MPRE application, and request score transfers from the
National Conference of Bar Examiners website:
https://secure.ncbex2.org/php/ncbe_number/views/home.php .
Mandatory Course on Professionalism
On Motion and UBE Score Transfer applicants must (within the first six months following admission to
practice law in Colorado) complete the required course on professionalism presented by the Office of
Attorney Regulation Counsel in cooperation with the Colorado Bar Association. See C.R.C.P. 203.2(6)
and 203.3(4).
Exam applicants must, complete “prior to and as a condition of admission” to practice law in
Colorado, “the six-hour course on professionalism as described in C.R.C.P. 203.2(6).” Credit for
completion of this course shall be valid for one full calendar year following completion. See C.R.C.P.
203.4(6).
Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014