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New Jersey Admission on Motion
Bar Exam Project wiki article. Part of the New Jersey Bar Exam cluster.
New Jersey permits experienced attorneys admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction to be admitted to the New Jersey Bar without taking the bar exam, under Rule 1:24-2 (Admission by Motion). This page covers eligibility, qualifying practice, fees, and how to navigate the application.
One-line summary
Under Rule 1:24-2 (Admission by Motion), an attorney admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction with 5 of the last 7 years of qualifying practice may be admitted to New Jersey without bar exam. The fee is $1,500. The MPRE 75 requirement and Character & Fitness clearance still apply. Reciprocity context: reciprocity-limited — New Jersey admits only attorneys from jurisdictions with reciprocity to New Jersey.
Rule overview
Rule 1:24-2 (Admission by Motion) permits admission to the New Jersey Bar without bar examination for an attorney who:
- Is admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Has been engaged in the active practice of law for 5 of the last 7 years.
- Earned a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school (or equivalent).
- Has passed the MPRE with a score of 75 or higher (in New Jersey or another U.S. jurisdiction).
- Is in good standing in every jurisdiction where admitted.
- Clears the New Jersey Character & Fitness review.
The practice-time test
The 5 of the last 7 years test means: in the relevant period immediately preceding the date you file your application, you must have been actively practicing law for the qualifying duration. Inactive periods (parental leave, illness, sabbatical) generally do not count toward the practice years. The practice can be in one or multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
What counts as qualifying practice
Most New Jersey admission-on-motion rules accept the following as qualifying practice:
- Private practice as a member, associate, or employee of any law firm, with active client representation.
- In-house corporate counsel at a U.S. corporation or its U.S. affiliate.
- Government practice at any level (federal, state, local) in a position requiring bar admission.
- Judicial clerkships (federal or state).
- Military legal services in a JAG-style role.
- Law teaching as a full-time faculty member at an ABA-approved law school.
What does not count: paralegal work, legal-adjacent business roles, lobbying without bar-required practice, or work in jurisdictions that don’t recognize you as licensed.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity-limited — new jersey admits only attorneys from jurisdictions with reciprocity to new jersey.
MPRE and Character & Fitness
Admission-on-motion applicants must show MPRE 75+ (any U.S. jurisdiction) and clear New Jersey’s Character & Fitness review. Free MPRE practice: MBEmax MPRE.
Fees and timeline
Application fee: $1,500. Plus Character & Fitness review fee where applicable, plus per-jurisdiction Certificate of Good Standing fees ($25-$50 each, set by each jurisdiction). Processing typically runs 4-9 months from filing to admission, depending on C&F review complexity.
Required documentation
- Proof of J.D. from an ABA-approved law school (or equivalent).
- Bar admission certificates from every jurisdiction where admitted.
- Certificate of Good Standing from every jurisdiction where currently admitted.
- MPRE score report.
- Detailed employment history covering the relevant period, with employer attestation forms for each qualifying position.
- Character & Fitness questionnaire with full disclosure of criminal, civil, financial, academic, and disciplinary history.
Common pitfalls
- Misreading the practice test. The 5 of the last 7 years count is from the date of application, not lifetime practice.
- Disclosing thinly. Character & Fitness treats non-disclosure more harshly than the underlying conduct.
- Underestimating C&F timeline. Even routine reviews take months.
Alternative paths if you don’t qualify
- If you don’t meet the practice test, sit for the New Jersey Bar Examination under the standard rules.
- If you have a UBE passing score from another jurisdiction earned within the score-life window, transfer that score into New Jersey (separate path).
Companion pages
Sources
- New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners (NJBBE) — https://www.njbarexams.org/.
- NCBE Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements — New Jersey.