Maine Bar Reciprocity

Maine Bar Admission Rule 11A governs Admission by Motion. Since May 3, 2017, Maine has not required reciprocity with the applicant’s home jurisdiction. Attorneys from any qualifying U.S. jurisdiction may apply if they have been primarily engaged in the active practice of law for three of the five years immediately preceding the application. See the Board’s qualifications page and MBAR PDF.

Admission on Motion (Criteria-Based)

Maine does not publish a reciprocal YES/NO table for Rule 11A. The map below reflects that attorneys from all other U.S. jurisdictions may seek Admission by Motion if they meet Rule 11A.

Additional Requirements

Maine Admission by Motion requirements include:

Law Degree. A J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA-approved law school (with limited foreign-equivalency options under the rules).

Practice of Law. Primarily engaged in the active practice of law for three of the five years immediately preceding the application.

Failed Exam Lookback. Failed the Maine bar examination within five years of filing → ineligible (Rule 11A(b)).

MPRE. A score of 80 or greater on the MPRE, earned within 15 years of filing, or an older score if the prior admitting jurisdiction required at least Maine’s then-passing MPRE (Rule 11(e)).

Maine Practice CLE. Complete 15 hours of Maine practice/procedure CLE (PRACPRO) within one year before certification for admission.

Maine Application Procedure

Apply through the Board of Bar Examiners Admission by Motion page. See that page for current forms, fees, and deadlines.