Skip to main content

Rules Governing Admission to the Bar – 2026

The Rules Governing Admission to the Bar, Set 15, covering the bar examination, character and fitness, and the routes to limited and full admission in New Mexico.

Browse all 50 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Jump to

ARTICLE 1 General Provisions ARTICLE 2 Admission Requirements and Procedures ARTICLE 3 Methods of Licensure ARTICLE 4 Investigations, Interviews, Hearings, and Appeals ARTICLE 5 Examinations ARTICLE 6 Board of Bar Examiners

ARTICLE 1 General Provisions

Preface Rule 15-101 Title. Rule 15-102 Definitions and rules of construction. Rule 15-103 Confidentiality. Rule 15-104 Withdrawn. Rule 15-105 Withdrawn. Rule 15-106 Withdrawn. Rule 15-107 Withdrawn.

ARTICLE 2 Admission Requirements and Procedures

Rule 15-201 Admission to the practice of law. Rule 15-202 Qualifications. Rule 15-203 Application. Rule 15-204 Fees and costs. Rule 15-205 Evaluation of qualifications, character and fitness. Rule 15-206 Requirements of licensees. Rule 15-207 Licensure. Rule 15-208 Oath or affirmation.

ARTICLE 3 Methods of Licensure

Rule 15-301 Examination method. Rule 15-301.1 Recompiled. Rule 15-301.2 Recompiled. Rule 15-301.3 Recompiled. Rule 15-302 UBE score transfer method. Rule 15-303 Reciprocal license method. Rule 15-304 Public employee and public defender limited license method. Rule 15-305 Qualified legal services provider limited license method. Rule 15-306 Military spouse attorney limited license method. Rule 15-307 Law professor limited privilege to practice method. Rule 15-308 In-house counsel limited license method. Rule 15-309 Reinstated license method. Rule 15-310 Former federal employee limited license method.

ARTICLE 4 Investigations, Interviews, Hearings, and Appeals

Rule 15-401 Investigations. Rule 15-402 Interviews. Rule 15-403 Hearings. Rule 15-404 Appeals and petitions to the Supreme Court. Rule 15-405 Withdrawn. Rule 15-406 Withdrawn.

ARTICLE 5 Examinations

Rule 15-501 Examinations. Rule 15-502 Examination of minimum competence to practice law. Rule 15-503 Examination of professional responsibility and legal ethics. Rule 15-504 Grading and scoring. Rule 15-505 Results. Rule 15-506 Right to inspect. Rule 15-507 No hearing on or appeal of grade.

ARTICLE 6 Board of Bar Examiners

Rule 15-601 Composition and tenure. Rule 15-602 Qualifications and duties of a bar examiner. Rule 15-603 Duties of the board. Rule 15-604 Meetings, board action, and committees. Rule 15-605 Per diem and compensation. Rule 15-606 Board finances. Rule 15-607 Administrative assistance. Rule 15-608 Rulemaking powers.