Passing the state bar is one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences for a young attorney. Due to the high standards, many states offer reciprocal admission for lawyers who relocate to a new state. That means if a lawyer has been practicing law in one state for three to five years, he may be admitted to the state bar of another state without taking another bar exam. Both states must offer
. the reciprocal admission and the lawyer must pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) to avoid sitting for the bar examination of the new state.The state bar reciprocity chart includes all 50 states and five U.S. territories. Currently 14 states offer no reciprocity or special conditions for practicing lawyers licensed in another state. They are Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and South Carolina. The state of Illinois offers reciprocity to 32 states and territories which is the most of any state. The other states either have a smaller number of states they have agreements with or offer specific conditions for attorneys who are licensed, practicing and in good standing elsewhere. State bar reciprocity charts are available online.The American Bar Association has published guidelines for reciprocity but each state is allowed to make its own rules. In order for an attorney to try a single case or work for a single client in a different jurisdiction, the designation of pro hac vice (Latin for "just one case") may be given without considering the state bar exam or reciprocity. Much easier than passing another bar exam, gaining this waiver is still an extremely involved process. Most lawyers will do just about anything to avoid sitting for a second bar exam. Attorneys who are interested in relocating or practicing in another jurisdiction need to check for specific requirements.
