Ohio Bar Reciprocity
Ohio Gov. Bar R. I, §10 governs Admission Without Examination. Ohio expressly does not use reciprocity. Applicants must have been primarily engaged in the active practice of law for five of the past seven years (generally at least 1,000 hours per year) after admission elsewhere.
Admission Without Examination (Criteria-Based)
Attorneys from any qualifying U.S. jurisdiction may seek §10 admission if they meet the rule. The map below reflects that model.
| Attorneys from these jurisdictions may seek Ohio Admission Without Examination if they meet Gov. Bar R. I §10 |
Additional Requirements
Law Degree. J.D./LL.B. from an ABA-approved law school (plus undergraduate requirements under §1).
Practice. Primarily engaged for five of the past seven years (≥1,000 hours/year), after admission.
Failed Exam. Failed the Ohio bar within the past five years → ineligible.
MPRE. Not required for §10 (exam/UBE paths separately require the MPRE).
Citizenship. U.S. citizen or resident alien; presenting Ohio attorney required.
Ohio Application Procedure
Apply through the Ohio Supreme Court Bar Admissions Portal linked from the §10 page.