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Military Spouse Limited License

Military Spouse Limited License

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.

Military Spouse Limited License

Qualifications

In order to apply for a limited license, 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)(2), 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

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

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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.”

#4

Active License & Good Standing

Have an active license to practice law in at least one other jurisdiction and be in good standing, or resigned while in good standing, in all states in which you have ever been licensed.

#5

If licensed in multiple jurisdictions, be in good standing in all jurisdictions where you have ever been licensed

#6

Not be under disciplinary disbarment or suspension in any jurisdiction

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To qualify, you cannot have resigned from the bar of another jurisdiction while under disciplinary proceedings or under any type of suspension.  To qualify, you cannot be the subject of current or pending disciplinary proceedings in any jurisdiction.

#7

Be a licensed attorney and married to a service member who is stationed in New Mexico

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Your spouse must be stationed, or will be stationed within six (6) months, in New Mexico. You must either reside in New Mexico or intend on residing in New Mexico within six (6) months.

Military Spouse Limited License

Bar Application Steps & Required Documents

Following are the basic steps for the application.

#1

Create or Locate Your 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 of $350

#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

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

Military Spouse Limited License

Steps After Application Acceptance

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

#1

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

#2

Complete fingerprints and background check

All applicants must register with Cogent Gemalto 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

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. 

#4

Complete NM Law Class

#5

Send Certificates of Good Standing from every state where you have ever been licensed

The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old.

#6

Send Disciplinary History from every state where you have ever been licensed

The disciplinary history cannot be more than 30 days old.

#7

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.

#8

Upload a statement certifying that you or your employer are in compliance with the succession planning requirements of Rule 16-119 NMRA of the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct

Expiration of Military Spouse Limited License

If a military spouse’s status changes, the military spouse’s attorney must notify the Board in writing within sixty (60) days of the event.  The following constitutes a change in status, and the military spouse limited license will expire one hundred and eighty (180) days after the occurrence of each of the following events:

#1

The military spouse ceases to be a dependent.

#2

The service member is permanently transferred outside of New Mexico to a location where dependents are authorized.

#3

The military spouse attorney permanently relocates to another jurisdiction for reasons other than the service member’s permanent transfer outside of New Mexico.

#4

The military spouse attorney is admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico under another application type.

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 - Limited License

Check out our comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions for limited license applicants.