Iowa Court Rules 31.12 and 31.13 govern admission to the Iowa Bar for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. The process in Iowa is called Admission on Motion. Attorneys must hold a law license and have practiced law for five of the past seven years in another state or the District of Columbia.
Reciprocal Jurisdictions
The process in Iowa 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 Motion in Iowa |
Additional Requirements
Iowa’s additional reciprocity requirements include:
Law Degree. Iowa does not require graduation from an ABA approved law school.
Character and Fitness. The attorney must meet the applicable character and fitness standards.
Good Standing and Prior Failed Bar Exam. Attorneys cannot be subject to current discipline in another jurisdiction and cannot have failed the Iowa bar exam within five years of the application date. Attorneys cannot have failed five or more bar exams.
Practice of Law. Attorneys must hold a law license and have practiced law for five of the past seven years in another state or the District of Columbia. “Practice of law” includes:
- Private Practice (representation of one or more clients in the practice of law)
- Judges (local, state, or federal courts of record)
- Government Attorneys (local state, or federal agencies)
- Judicial Law Clerks
- Military Attorneys (discharge of actual legal duties as a member of the United States armed services, if certified by the judge advocate general)
- Law Professors teaching at ABA approved law schools
- Employee or Officer of a Business (only if such service would ordinarily constitute the practice of law and was performed in a jurisdiction where admitted)
*Practice under the Iowa House Counsel Authorization qualifies towards the duration requirement.
- Not specifically enumerated: No major categories.
- Does not include: The unauthorized practice of law where the work was performed or where the client receiving unauthorized services was located.
MPRE. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is not required.
Iowa Bar Reciprocity Application Procedure
Attorneys eligible for Admission on Motion in Iowa must complete the online Application. All certifications should be submitted within one month of the NCBE electronic application.
The process normally takes two to four months to complete. Approved attorneys must take the oath of admission within six months of the date of when the application was granted or the application is deemed denied.