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Hawaii Bar Reciprocity
Hawaii does not offer general admission on motion to attorneys licensed in other states. Limited or provisional admission without examination is available to certain University of Hawaii law faculty, active-duty military attorneys, civil legal services attorneys, and qualifying military spouses.
Written & Reviewed By:
Hamid Kohan
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
Hawaii’s Limited Admission Without Examination Requirements
| Requirement | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Admission on Motion | Limited only |
| Practice Requirement | No general years-of-practice requirement |
| Admission on Motion Fee | $500 + C&F fee |
| Is the MPRE required? | Requirements depend on the limited admission pathway |
Note: Admission requirements vary by state. Review each state’s page for additional eligibility requirements and conditions.
Who May Qualify for Limited Admission in Hawaii?
- University of Hawaii law faculty: Full-time faculty members who meet Hawaii’s eligibility requirements may be admitted without examination.
- Active-duty military attorneys: Qualifying full-time uniformed-service judge advocates may receive limited admission to represent certain active-duty military personnel and their dependents.
- Civil legal services attorneys: Attorneys working for qualifying 501(c)(3) civil legal services providers may apply for limited admission without examination.
- Hawaii also has a separate provisional admission pathway for qualifying spouses of U.S. Uniformed Services members assigned to active duty in Hawaii.
I’m Licensed in Hawaii: Where Can I Apply for Admission on Motion?
Attorneys licensed in Hawaii may qualify to apply for admission on motion in:
Can Attorneys From Other States Apply for Admission on Motion in Hawaii?
No. Hawaii does not offer general admission on motion for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions. Attorneys who do not qualify for a limited or other special admission pathway generally need to use Hawaii’s standard bar admission process.
Other Hawaii Limited Admission Requirements
- Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? Yes
- Is Hawaii admission on motion based on reciprocity? Not applicable
- Are attorneys admitted by diploma privilege eligible? Not applicable
- Minimum practice requirement for admission on motion? Not applicable
Hawaii UBE Score Transfer Requirements
Hawaii currently does not accept transferred Legacy UBE or NextGen UBE scores. Hawaii has adopted the NextGen UBE and plans to administer it beginning in July 2028.
| Requirement | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| UBE Score Transfer | No |
| Minimum Legacy UBE Score | Not applicable |
| Maximum UBE Score Age | Not applicable |
| NextGen UBE | First administered July 2028; transferred scores not currently accepted |
| Minimum NextGen Score | TBA |
Looking to Practice or Expand in Hawaii?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I waive into the Hawaii Bar?
Not through general admission on motion. Hawaii allows admission without examination only for limited categories of qualifying attorneys.
Can I continue practicing in states where I’m licensed while waiting for Hawaii admission?
Yes. A pending Hawaii admission application does not prevent you from practicing in jurisdictions where you are already authorized to practice. You cannot practice in Hawaii unless you are admitted or otherwise authorized to do so.
Can I transfer my UBE score to Hawaii?
Hawaii currently does not accept transferred Legacy UBE or NextGen UBE scores. Hawaii plans to begin administering the NextGen UBE in July 2028.
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