Tennessee Bar Reciprocity

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

Requirement	Tennessee
Admission on Motion	Yes
Practice Requirement	5 of the past 7 years
Admission on Motion Fee	$1,400 + C&F fee
Is the MPRE required?	No, for admission on motion

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

What Work May Qualify as Practice in Tennessee?

Law teaching
Government agency
Military
In-house corporate
Judicial court of record

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

Attorneys licensed in Tennessee 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, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

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

Yes. Attorneys licensed in any U.S. state may apply for Tennessee admission on motion. It is not limited to attorneys from reciprocal jurisdictions.

Other Tennessee Admission on Motion Requirements

Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? Yes
Is Tennessee 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-on-motion applicants must also complete the Tennessee Law Course before admission.

Tennessee UBE Score Transfer Requirements

Tennessee 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	Tennessee
UBE Score Transfer	Yes
Minimum Legacy UBE Score	270
Maximum UBE Score Age	3 years; up to 5 years with qualifying practice
NextGen UBE	First accepted for transfer in July 2026; Tennessee first administers the NextGen UBE in July 2027
Minimum NextGen Score	TBA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my UBE score to Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores of at least 270. Scores are generally transferable for 3 years, with an extension up to 5 years for applicants who meet the qualifying practice requirement. Tennessee also accepts NextGen UBE transfers, but its minimum NextGen score is still to be announced.

Can I waive into the Tennessee Bar?

Yes. Qualified attorneys may seek admission without examination after practicing law for at least 5 of the past 7 years and meeting Tennessee’s other admission requirements.

Does Tennessee require reciprocity for admission on motion?

No. Tennessee does not limit admission on motion to attorneys from reciprocal jurisdictions. Attorneys licensed in any U.S. state may apply if they meet Tennessee’s other requirements.