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Kentucky Bar Reciprocity
Kentucky offers admission without examination for qualified attorneys who have practiced law for 5 of the past 7 years. Applicants must practice in a jurisdiction that has reciprocity or comity with Kentucky and meet the state’s other admission requirements.
Written & Reviewed By:
Hamid Kohan
Last Updated: September 9, 2026
Kentucky’s Admission on Motion: Years of Practice and Qualifying Practice
| Requirement | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Admission on Motion | Yes |
| Practice Requirement | 5 of the past 7 years |
| Admission on Motion Fee | $1,500 |
| Is the MPRE required? | Yes, minimum score of 80 |
Note: Admission requirements vary by state. Review each state’s page for additional eligibility requirements and conditions.
What Work May Qualify as Practice in Kentucky?
- Law teaching
- Government agency
- Military
- In-house corporate
- Judicial court of record
- Kentucky requires 5 years of active practice during the 7 years immediately before applying. Full-time law teaching at an ABA-accredited law school may also count as active practice.
I’m Licensed in Kentucky: Where Can I Apply for Admission on Motion?
Attorneys licensed in Kentucky may qualify to apply for admission on motion in:
Can Attorneys From Other States Apply for Admission on Motion in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky currently recognizes these jurisdictions for admission without examination:
Other Kentucky Admission on Motion Requirements
- Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? Yes
- Is Kentucky admission on motion based on reciprocity? Yes
- Are attorneys admitted by diploma privilege eligible? Yes
- Must I be in good standing? Yes
- Is character and fitness review required? Yes
- Must I intend to practice law in Kentucky? Yes
- Kentucky requires admission-on-motion applicants to satisfy its legal education, character and fitness, and other general bar admission requirements. Applicants must also intend to engage in the practice of law in Kentucky.
Kentucky UBE Score Transfer Requirements
Kentucky accepts qualifying Legacy UBE and NextGen UBE scores earned in other jurisdictions. This pathway is separate from the 5-of-7-year admission-on-motion pathway.
| Requirement | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| UBE Score Transfer | Yes |
| Minimum Legacy UBE Score | 266 |
| Maximum UBE Score Age | 5 years |
| NextGen UBE | First accepted for transfer in July 2026; Kentucky first administers the NextGen UBE in July 2027 |
| Minimum NextGen Score | 616 |
Looking to Practice or Expand in Kentucky?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my UBE score to Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores of at least 266 and NextGen UBE scores of at least 616. The transferred score must have been earned within 5 years of the application.
Can I waive into the Kentucky Bar?
Yes. Qualified attorneys may be admitted to the Kentucky Bar without taking the bar examination if they have practiced law for at least 5 of the past 7 years in a qualifying reciprocal jurisdiction and meet Kentucky’s other requirements.
Does Kentucky require reciprocity for admission on motion?
Yes. Kentucky’s admission-without-examination pathway is based on reciprocity or comity. The jurisdiction where the applicant practiced must provide an admission-without-examination pathway for Kentucky attorneys that satisfies Kentucky’s reciprocity requirements.
Explore Bar Reciprocity Requirements by State
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