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Reciprocity Applicants

Reciprocity

Application Processes

Your application will be processed in three steps.  The first portion of your application can be accessed and submitted when you register through the online application portal.  Steps two and three, which include items outlined in the “Steps after Application Acceptance,” will be sent to you after our office reviews and accepts the initial filing of your application. Please read and follow the instructions on this page.

Rules Governing Admission

All applicants must read and adhere to the Rules Governing Admission. Admission to the New Mexico Bar is governed by Rules 15-101 to 608 NMRA.

Reciprocity

Qualifications

In order to apply to transfer your UBE Score, you must first have these qualifications:

#1

Juris Doctorate Degree

Have graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA (American Bar Association) approved school OR graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from a non-ABA approved school and have practiced law for four out of the last six years immediately preceding the application. 

Learn More

Pursuant to Rule 15-202(A)(4), all applicants must be “a graduate with a juris doctor or bachelor of laws and letters degree (at the time of the bar examination for which application is made or at the time of application for admission by transferred Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score) of a law school formally accredited by the American Bar Association or is a graduate of any law school who has been engaged in the practice of law in another state or states for at least four (4) of the six (6) years immediately preceding the person’s application for admission to practice in New Mexico.”  An L.L.M Degree, or equivalent, obtained from an ABA-approved school is not sufficient to satisfy this requirement. 

#2

Be of good moral character and be physically and mentally fit to practice law

#3

Good Standing

If ever admitted in any other jurisdiction, currently in good standing in that jurisdiction or resigned while in good standing and not under disciplinary investigation or suspension.

#4

If under any Orders for child or spousal support, be in compliance with those orders

Learn More

Pursuant to Rule 15-202(A)(4) NMRA all applicants must be “in compliance with all child support and spousal support obligations imposed under a “judgment and order for support” as defined in the Parental Responsibility Act, Sections 40-5A-1 through 40-5A-13 NMSA 1978, or imposed under a child support or spousal support order entered by any other court of competent jurisdiction. If an applicant is not in compliance with a child support or spousal support obligation, the applicant will not be recommended for admission to the bar until the applicant provides the board with evidence that the applicant is in compliance with the judgment or order. If the applicant has appeared on the Human Services Department’s certified list of obligors, the applicant shall submit a certified statement from the Human Services Department that the applicant is in compliance with the judgment and order for support. In all other cases, the applicant shall provide evidence acceptable to the board of compliance with all applicable child and spousal support orders.”

#5

Be licensed in another state and practiced law for five of the last seven years or have practiced in New Mexico for five years with a Qualified Employer Limited License

Learn More

Applicants for Reciprocal Admission under Rule 15-303 NMRA must submit an executed affidavit describing the applicant’s active practice of law for the required durational period in every applicable jurisdiction, which describes in detail how it satisfies the definition of the active practice of law”.  Applicants must be engaged in the active practice of law in at least one reciprocal state for at least five (5) out of the past seven (7) years.

#6

Your active practice of law must have been performed within a State where we share reciprocity

Reciprocity States
  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Colorado
  5. Connecticut
  6. District of Columbia
  7. Georgia
  8. Idaho
  9. Illinois
  10. Indiana
  11. Iowa
  12. Kansas
  13. Maine
  14. Massachusetts
  15. Michigan
  16. Minnesota
  17. Mississippi
  18. Missouri
  19. Montana
  20. Nebraska
  21. New Hampshire
  22. New Jersey
  23. New York
  24. North Carolina
  25. North Dakota
  26. Ohio
  27. Oklahoma
  28. Oregon
  29. Pennsylvania
  30. Tennessee
  31. Texas
  32. U.S. Virgin Islands
  33. Utah
  34. Vermont
  35. Virginia
  36. Washington
  37. West Virginia
  38. Wisconsin
  39. Wyoming

The NMBBE makes every effort to ensure the website’s list of reciprocal states is accurate and current. However, the New Mexico Supreme Court is the ultimate authority approving reciprocal state recognition, and the Court may add or remove reciprocal states at any time.

Please note you must have taken and passed a bar exam in another state to qualify for reciprocity.

Reciprocity

Bar Application Steps & Required Documents

Following are the basic steps for the application.

#1

Create or Locate an NCBE Account Number

Learn More

All examinees are required to obtain an NCBE Number.  To obtain an NCBE Number or find your NCBE number: Log into or create an NCBE account at www.ncbex.org

#2

Upload a copy of the NCBE Character and Fitness Application

#3

Upload the NCBE Acknowledgment of Complete Application Page

#4

Upload our Authorization and Release Form

#5

Upload our Certificate of Understanding

#6

Pay the required fee

The reciprocal application fee is $2,500 plus credit card processing fees. 

#7

Upload a copy of a current credit report

Credit reports must not be more than 30 days old and come from one of the major three credit bureaus.

Learn More

Your credit report must be from one of the three major credit reporting agencies: Transunion, Equifax, or Experian.  The credit report submitted cannot be more than thirty (30) days old.  Reports through third-party agencies like Credit Karma will not be accepted. Summary reports and reports with any missing pages will not be accepted. Please note that data on your credit report will be cross-referenced with disclosure on your application.  Please review in conjunction with your application and make any necessary amendments or changes. 

#8

Upload an Affidavit confirming the Active Practice of Law

Reciprocity

Steps After Application Acceptance

After acceptance of your application, the following will be required:

#1

Take the MPRE, score at least an 80, and have the score reported to us

#2

Complete fingerprints and background check

All applicants must register with Identogo for fingerprint processing.  In-state applicants will have fingerprints processed digitally.  Out-of-state applicants must request fingerprint cards to be mailed.

Fingerprint Instructions →

#3

Send Law School Certification form to your law school and have the results sent to us

#4

Have your law school send your transcripts to us

Learn More

Your final and official transcript must be provided to the us directly from your law school.  The transcript should indicate that the applicant was awarded a Juris Doctorate, with the date of the confirmation of the degree.  We will accept a transcript from an applicant’s law school by mail or by any official transcript service the law school uses.  Student copies, unofficial transcripts, copies of your diploma, and photocopies of transcripts sent from the applicant are not acceptable. 

#5

Complete NM Law Class

#6

If licensed in other state(s), send Certificates of Good Standing from every state where you have ever been licensed

The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old.

#7

If licensed in other state(s), send Disciplinary History from every state where you have ever been licensed.

The disciplinary history cannot be more than 30 days old.

#8

Send three (3) character and fitness forms to three (3) licensed attorneys, who are active and in good standing.

Ensure those attorneys complete and send the form to us.

Have Questions?

We strive to have the information you are seeking. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

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FAQ - Reciprocity

Check out our comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions for reciprocity exam applicants.