Maryland Bar Reciprocity

Maryland Rules 19-215 and 19-216 govern Admission Without Examination for out-of-state attorneys (effective March 1, 2019, replacing the former attorneys’ examination path). Maryland does not publish a reciprocal-jurisdiction list. Applicants must show qualifying full-time practice experience for three of the most recent five years or at least ten years total of qualifying experience (Rule 19-215(d)).

Admission Without Examination (Criteria-Based)

Attorneys from any qualifying U.S. jurisdiction may seek admission without examination if they meet Rules 19-215 / 19-216. The map below reflects that model.

Additional Requirements

Maryland Admission Without Examination requirements include:

Admission Path. Prior admission by examination in another U.S. jurisdiction, or ABA diploma-privilege admission, as provided in Rules 19-215 / 19-216.

Practice of Law. Qualifying full-time experience for three of the most recent five years, or ten or more years total. Federal and military practice may count as practice “in a state” under Board guidance. Exceptional-case flexibility applies to the type of practice, not the duration requirement.

MPRE. A score of 85 or greater on the MPRE. If currently admitted elsewhere in good standing, the score may have been earned at any time, but must be reported within the Board’s admission timeline (commonly within two years of petition filing — confirm Board Rule 6 / MPRE).

Maryland Law Component. Complete the Maryland Law Component as required for admission.

Maryland Application Procedure

File an Out-of-State Attorney petition through SBLE eBar, starting from the Board’s Admission Without Examination page. See the OSA checklist and current fee schedule before applying.