Rule 74-1 Application Approval and Letter of Licensure
Rule 74: Application Approval; Letter of Licensure; Ineligibility
Rule Text
(a) Character and Fitness. Prior to recommending that an applicant be admitted to the Bar, the Board, in each instance, shall investigate the character and fitness of the applicant and determine the eligibility of RULES OF ADMISSION AMENDED AUGUST 4, 2025 the applicant for admission except as provided for provisional admission pursuant to Rule 71-5(c) herein.
(1) In investigating the character and fitness of an applicant, the Board may refer applications to any of the following: the NCBE, the chief disciplinary counsel, the advisory committee, any regional disciplinary committee, any investigatory personnel engaged by the Board, or personnel of the Supreme Court’s clerk’s office. Such entities shall report to the Board, which may make such further investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself concerning the character and fitness of the applicant.
(2) The Board may have medical records or other documents reviewed by physicians or other professionals to obtain such professional’s expert opinion in cases involving a physical or mental impairment bearing upon an applicant's character and fitness.
(3) If necessary, in cases involving a physical or mental impairment bearing upon an applicant’s character and fitness, the Board may request the applicant to undergo an independent evaluation or examination by a professional approved by the Board. The applicant shall bear the expense of any independent evaluation or examination deemed necessary by the Board to determine the applicant’s character and fitness.
(4) If the investigation as to character and fitness of an applicant who applies to sit for the bar examination or Attorney’s Exam is completed prior to the examination and the Board determines that the applicant should not be approved for admission, the Board may deny the applicant permission to take the bar examination. The Board shall issue a written decision and the decision is subject to formal review under Rule 75-1 herein.
(5) As part of its character and fitness determination, the Board shall consider any criminal conduct not within Rule 74-2(a) herein.
(b) Letter of Licensure. Upon the completion of all of the requirements for admission to the Bar as provided by these Rules, a letter of licensure shall be issued to the applicant by the Supreme Court to the email address provided by the applicant in the application. The letter of licensure shall state that the applicant is eligible for admission to the Bar, shall state any applicable conditions or provisions of admission, and shall provide a date and time upon which the applicant may be sworn in. The letter of licensure is subject to revocation as provided by Rules 74-1(c) and 75-2(a) herein.
(c) Denial of Admission Following Approval. Issuance of a letter of licensure shall not preclude the Board from subsequently determining RULES OF ADMISSION AMENDED AUGUST 4, 2025 that the applicant should not be approved for admission to the Bar at any time before the applicant takes the oath prescribed by Rule 75-2 herein. The Board retains jurisdiction over each applicant until actually licensed, and it may investigate, hold hearings, and/or revoke its approval at any time before the applicant takes the oath of admission. The Board shall also retain jurisdiction over any applicant who is provisionally admitted pending a final character and fitness report even where the applicant has taken the oath of admission in accordance with Rule 71-5(c) herein. Any request for hearing by the Board shall be governed by Rule 75-1 herein.