Indiana Bar Reciprocity

Rule 6 of the Indiana Rules governs admission to the Indiana Bar for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. The process in Indiana is called Admission on Foreign License.   Attorneys must be admitted to another state, territory, or the District of Columbia and must have actively been engaged in the practice of law for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding the application for admission in order to receive a provisional license.

Reciprocal Jurisdictions

The process in Indiana is not based on bar reciprocity with other jurisdictions. Attorneys meeting the requirements may apply for admission.

Attorneys from these states may be Admitted on Foreign License in Indiana

Additional Requirements

Indiana’s additional reciprocity requirements include:

Intent to Practice in Indiana. Attorneys must intend to practice predominately in Indiana, which means practice in Indiana must exceed, or be equal to, his or her practice in all other jurisdictions combined.

Law Degree. A law degree from an ABA approved law school.

Character and Fitness. Attorneys must meet the applicable character and fitness standards. The character and fitness report is conducted by the NCBE.

Good Standing and Prior Bar Exam. Attorneys must be in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted. Attorneys cannot have failed the Indiana bar exam within the past five years of the application for admission.

Practice of Law. Attorneys must have actively been engaged in the practice of law for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding the application for admission. The practice of law must be in the state where the attorney is licensed. “Actively engaged in the practice of law” includes:

  • Private Practice (performing legal services for the general public as a lawyer for at least 1,000 hours per year)
  • Judges (in courts of record on a full-time basis)
  • Corporate Counsel, Business Entity (performing duties for which admission to the practice of law is a prerequisite and for at least 1,000 hours per year)*
  • Not specifically enumerated but included: Judicial Law Clerks

MPRE. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is not required.

Mandatory Indiana Law Seminar. Attorneys must attend an annual Indiana law update seminar within 12 months of admission.

Indiana Bar Reciprocity Application Procedure

Attorneys eligible for Admission on Foreign License in Indiana must complete the Application. Applications may be filed at any time. Applications take approximately six months to process.

Renewal

Provisional licenses continue for one year and may be renewed.