Rule 71-2 Educational Requirements
Rule 71: Requirements for Admission to the Bar
Rule Text
(a) Qualifying Education. An applicant must have graduated with a Juris Doctor (“J.D.”) degree from a law school within the United States, its territories, or possessions and which is accredited by the American Bar Association (the “ABA”) at the time of the applicant’s graduation. No graduate degree in law (“LL.M.,” “M.C.L.,” or “S.J.D.”) is or should be a substitute for a J.D. and no graduate degree in law will qualify as meeting the legal educational requirements for admission to the Bar.
RULES OF ADMISSION AMENDED AUGUST 4, 2025
(b) Evidence of Educational Qualification. An official or certified law school transcript showing an applicant’s educational eligibility for admission is required to be sent directly from the school involved prior to Bar admission. Hand delivered and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant whose transcript has not been received prior to the date of the bar examination may not be permitted to take the bar examination. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that evidence of his or her educational qualification to take the bar examination is received by the Board in a timely manner.