Michigan Bar Reciprocity

Michigan’s Admission on Motion: Years of Practice and Qualifying Practice

Requirement	Michigan
Admission on Motion	Yes
Practice Requirement	3 of the past 5 years
Admission on Motion Fee	$800 + C&F fee
Is the MPRE required?	Yes, minimum score of 85

Note: Admission requirements vary by state. Review each state’s page for additional eligibility requirements and conditions.

What Work May Qualify as Practice in Michigan?

Law teaching
Government agency
Military
In-house corporate
Judicial court of record
Michigan defines full-time employment for this pathway as 21 or more hours per week.

I’m Licensed in Michigan: Where Can I Apply for Admission on Motion?

Attorneys licensed in Michigan may qualify to apply for admission on motion in:

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Can Attorneys From Other States Apply for Admission on Motion in Michigan?

Yes. Attorneys licensed in any U.S. state may apply for Michigan admission without examination. It is not limited to attorneys from reciprocal jurisdictions.

Other Michigan Admission on Motion Requirements

Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? Yes
Is Michigan admission on motion based on reciprocity? No
Are attorneys admitted by diploma privilege eligible? Yes
Must I be in good standing? Yes
Is character and fitness review required? Yes
Admission-without-examination applicants must also complete the Michigan Law Component and intend to practice law in Michigan or teach full-time at a qualifying Michigan law school.

Michigan UBE Score Transfer Requirements

Michigan accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores earned in other jurisdictions. This pathway is separate from the 3-of-5-year admission-without-examination pathway.

Requirement	Michigan
UBE Score Transfer	Yes
Minimum Legacy UBE Score	268
Maximum UBE Score Age	3 years
NextGen UBE	Transfer acceptance TBA; Michigan first administers the NextGen UBE in July 2028
Minimum NextGen Score	TBA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my UBE score to Michigan?

Yes. Michigan accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores of at least 268 earned within the past 3 years. Michigan has adopted the NextGen UBE for July 2028, but its NextGen transfer requirements and minimum score are still TBA.

Can I waive into the Michigan Bar?

Yes. Qualified attorneys may be admitted to the Michigan Bar without taking the bar examination if they have practiced law for at least 3 of the past 5 years and meet Michigan’s other admission requirements.

Does Michigan require reciprocity for admission on motion?

No. Michigan does not limit admission without examination to attorneys from reciprocal jurisdictions. Attorneys licensed in any U.S. state may apply if they meet Michigan’s other requirements.