Illinois Bar Reciprocity

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705 governs Admission on Motion. Illinois does not require reciprocity with the applicant’s home jurisdiction. Applicants must have been licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least three years and primarily engaged in the active and continuous practice of law for three of the five years immediately preceding the application (generally at least 80 hours per month and 1,000 hours per year for 36 of the prior 60 months). Rule 705 was amended effective July 15, 2026 — confirm the current text on the Board site before applying.

Admission on Motion (Criteria-Based)

Illinois does not publish a reciprocal-jurisdiction list for Rule 705. The map below reflects that attorneys from all other U.S. jurisdictions may seek Admission on Motion if they meet Rule 705.

Additional Requirements

Illinois Admission on Motion requirements include:

Law Degree. A first professional degree satisfying Rule 703 (ABA-approved J.D./LL.B.).

Practice of Law. Active and continuous practice for three of the five years immediately preceding the application, subject to the hour thresholds in Rule 705 / Board guidance. Certain practice under Rules 716/717 may count; confirm current Board instructions.

Failed Exam Lookback. Failed the Illinois bar examination within the preceding five years → ineligible.

MPRE. If licensed fewer than 15 years, must have passed the MPRE (Illinois or elsewhere). Scores older than 15 years generally must come from the original licensing jurisdiction. If licensed 15 years or more, the MPRE may be waived under Rule 705 — confirm current Board instructions.

Illinois Application Procedure

Begin with the Board of Admissions to the Bar Admission on Motion process (preliminary questionnaire, then full application). See that page for current fees and forms.