1 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 C.R.C.P. 201.1 to 201.14 are repealed as set forth in the above schedule.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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 * 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 Updated to reflect OM rule changes effective September 1, 2014 7 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