Iowa Bar Reciprocity

Iowa Court Rules 31.12 and 31.13 govern Admissions on Motion. Iowa does not require reciprocity. Attorneys from any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia may apply if they have been regularly engaged in the practice of law for five of the seven years immediately preceding the application (generally at least 1,000 hours in each qualifying year while holding a license).

Admission on Motion (Criteria-Based)

Iowa does not publish a reciprocal-jurisdiction list for this path. The map below reflects that attorneys from all other U.S. jurisdictions may seek Admission on Motion if they meet Rules 31.12 / 31.13.

Additional Requirements

Iowa Admission on Motion requirements include:

Law Degree. An ABA J.D. is not required solely for Admission on Motion under current Board/NCBE practice summaries — confirm Rules 31.12 / 31.13 and OPR instructions when applying.

Practice of Law. Regularly engaged for five of the seven years immediately preceding the application, typically with a practice certification from a clerk, judge, JAG, or ALJ (or a petition for an alternate method).

Failed Exam Lookback. Failed an Iowa bar examination within five years, or failed five or more bar examinations anywhere → ineligible.

MPRE. Not required for Admission on Motion under Rule 31.12 (exam path separately uses MPRE 80).

Iowa Application Procedure

Apply through the Office of Professional Regulation Admissions on Motion page. Applications may auto-withdraw after one year (possible short extension). See that page for current fees (OPR fee plus NCBE character and fitness fee).