Rule 51 Qualifications of applicants for admission

1. An applicant for a license to practice as an attorney and counselor at law in this state shall not be admitted to practice law in this state unless such applicant:

(a) Has attained the age of majority.

(b) Is present or is available to be present within the State of Nevada, and is able to remain so until examined and investigated, so as to permit and facilitate the examinations, investigations, interviews, and hearings necessary to determine the applicant’s character, qualifications, and fitness to practice law.

(c) Has received a juris doctorate degree, or an equivalent law degree, from a law school approved by the American Bar Association, and presents evidence of the same.

(d) Demonstrates that the applicant is of good character and is willing and able to abide by the high ethical standards required of attorneys and counselors at law.

(e) Has not been refused admission to practice law in any state or before any court or governmental agency of the United States on the ground of unfitness of character.

(f) Has not been disbarred from the practice of law in any state or before any court or governmental agency of the United States.

(g) Has not exhibited any past or present conduct or behavior that could call into question the applicant’s ability to practice law in a competent, ethical, and professional manner or that would render the applicant unfit to practice law.

(h) Is not a misuser of alcohol, cannabis, or prescription drugs, or a user of illegal drugs. Use of state-legal substances otherwise prohibited under federal law does not constitute a violation of this rule.

(i) Demonstrates financial responsibility.

(j) Is in full compliance with any court order, including without limitation, spousal or child support orders.

(k) Achieves passing scores and completes every component of the comprehensive licensing examination.

2. No applicant for a license to practice as an attorney and counselor at law in this state may take or complete any component of the comprehensive licensing examination unless the applicant satisfies (1)(a), (1)(c), 1(e), and (1)(f) above, and such application may be summarily denied if these requirements are not met. Such applicant shall be permitted to reapply to complete any component of the comprehensive licensing examination when the conditions in (1)(a), (1)(c), 1(e), and (1)(f) have been satisfied and the applicant complies with other applicable requirements.

3. Burden of proof. The burden of establishing eligibility to take the components of the comprehensive licensing examination and to have the requisite character and fitness to practice law in the State of Nevada is on the applicant in all instances and in all proceedings before the board, its subcommittees, or the court.

4. Standard of proof. In all proceedings before the board of bar examiners and the character and fitness committee, the standard of proof is clear and convincing evidence.

5. Law school education. Each applicant shall be required to have completed all requirements for graduation with a J.D. from a law school approved by the American Bar Association. Neither private study, correspondence study, or law office training, nor age or experience, may be substituted for law school education, as stated in Rule 51(1)(c). However, a prospective applicant who fails to meet the law school accreditation requirement of Rule 51(1)(c), but who meets the requirements set forth in Rule 51.5, may be permitted to petition the functional equivalency committee for certification in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule 51.5 and the policies and procedures of the functional equivalency committee. Such certification must be obtained prior to applying to complete any component of the comprehensive licensing examination. Applications to complete any component of the comprehensive licensing examination submitted without prior certification shall immediately be rejected, and the application fee shall not be refunded.