Massachusetts Bar Reciprocity
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:01 §6 governs Admission by Motion in Massachusetts. Massachusetts does not publish a reciprocal-jurisdiction list. Applicants must have been admitted elsewhere for at least five years and engaged in the active practice of law or teaching for five of the seven years immediately preceding the petition.
Admission by Motion (Criteria-Based)
Attorneys from any qualifying U.S. state, district, or territory may seek Admission by Motion if they meet Rule 3:01 §6. The map below reflects that model.
| Attorneys from these jurisdictions may seek Admission by Motion in Massachusetts if they meet Rule 3:01 §6 |
Additional Requirements
Massachusetts Admission by Motion requirements include:
Law Degree. A J.D. from an ABA-approved law school or a law school authorized by state statute (§6.1.4).
Practice / Teaching. Active practice or teaching for five of the seven years immediately preceding the petition, with at least five years of admission elsewhere.
Prior Massachusetts Exam. A prior failed Massachusetts bar examination creates a rebuttable presumption against Admission by Motion (not an absolute bar).
MPRE. A score of 85 or greater on the MPRE must be on file before filing the petition.
Massachusetts Law Component. Required for admission.
Massachusetts Application Procedure
E-file a Petition for Admission by Motion. Character and fitness is handled through the NCBE. See Mass.gov for current fees and Canadian / foreign-graduate pathways.