California Bar Reciprocity

California does not offer admission on motion or traditional bar reciprocity. The State Bar of California states that it does not offer reciprocity or accept bar exam scores from another jurisdiction. Attorneys licensed elsewhere who seek full California licensure must register as attorney applicants, obtain a positive moral character determination, pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (“MPRE”) (California passing score 86), and pass the California Bar Examination (or the Attorneys’ Examination if eligible).

Eligible out-of-state attorneys whose license has been active and in good standing for at least four years immediately preceding the first day of the examination may take the one-day Attorneys’ Examination (written essays and Performance Test only) instead of the general bar examination. See also California Pro Hac Vice and California Multijurisdictional Practice (MJP) for limited practice options that are not full admission.

Official Sources

See the State Bar’s Attorney Applicants page and Admissions Requirements for current registration, moral character, exam, and MPRE rules.