Georgia Bar Reciprocity
Part C of the Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in Georgia governs Admission on Motion without Examination. Attorneys must have been primarily engaged in the active practice of law for five of the past seven years. Reciprocity is considered only for the jurisdiction(s) in which the attorney was admitted by passing a bar examination.
Reciprocity
Georgia publishes a reciprocal-jurisdiction table. Among others, California, Florida, and South Carolina are not reciprocal. Part C § 2(b) also applies any “more stringent and exacting” requirements that the reciprocal jurisdiction would impose on a Georgia applicant seeking admission there.
| Attorneys admitted by exam in these jurisdictions may seek Admission on Motion in Georgia (published reciprocal table) | |
| Attorneys from these jurisdictions are not on Georgia’s published reciprocal table |
Reciprocal Jurisdictions
See the Office of Bar Admissions Admission on Motion page for the current table (including the Virgin Islands). The map above matches the U.S. states and D.C. on that table. Always confirm before applying.
Additional Requirements
Georgia’s Admission on Motion requirements include:
Law Degree. A J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA approved law school (Part C § 2(a)). Diploma privilege alone is not a qualifying path.
Admission by Examination. Reciprocity is tied to admission by examination in a reciprocal jurisdiction.
Prior Georgia Exam. An attorney who has taken and failed the Georgia Bar Examination or Attorneys’ Examination is not eligible for Admission on Motion.
Practice of Law. Primarily engaged in the active practice of law for five of the past seven years. Part-time practice may be insufficient; the Board does not consider typical document review to be the practice of law for this purpose.
More Stringent Mirror Rules. Satisfy any more stringent requirements the reciprocal jurisdiction would impose on a Georgia applicant (for example, Alabama’s 75% Georgia practice / office intent affidavit).
MPRE. Confirm the current score and timing with the Office of Bar Admissions / Certificate of Eligibility instructions (commonly a scaled score of 75 with no expiration for Georgia admission).
Military Spouses. Separate pathway under Supreme Court of Georgia Rule 103.
Georgia Application Procedure
File a Petition for Admission on Motion without Examination (including the Fitness application) through the Office of Bar Admissions. Upload required eligibility documentation within 30 days of filing. See that page for current fees and forms.