North Carolina Bar Reciprocity
North Carolina Board of Law Examiners Rule 27 NCAC 03 .0502 governs admission by comity. Applicants must have been actively and substantially engaged in the practice of law as their principal means of livelihood in an approved reciprocal jurisdiction for four of the past six years (at least 48 months). See the approved jurisdictions list.
Comity / Reciprocity
North Carolina publishes an approved-jurisdictions comity list. Physical practice in a reciprocal jurisdiction is emphasized. Confirm the current list before applying.
| Attorneys from these jurisdictions may seek comity admission in North Carolina (published approved list) | |
| Attorneys from these jurisdictions are not on North Carolina’s published approved list |
Additional Requirements
North Carolina comity requirements include:
Practice of Law. Active and substantial practice as principal livelihood for four of the past six years in a reciprocal jurisdiction. Work before admission does not count.
Failed Exam Lookback. Failed the North Carolina bar examination within five years → ineligible for comity.
MPRE. Must have passed the MPRE (NCBE minimum commonly cited as 80; no AOM score-age limit under current chart summaries).
Character. Court of Last Resort certification and moral-character certificates as required by Board forms.
North Carolina Application Procedure
File a paper comity application through the Board of Law Examiners (comity information).