Texas Bar Reciprocity

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

Requirement	Texas
Admission on Motion	Yes
Practice Requirement	5 of the past 7 years
Admission on Motion Fee	$1,040
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 Texas?

Law teaching
Government agency
Active-duty judge advocate
Law firm
Private practice
In-house corporate
Judicial court of record
State or federal law clerk

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

Attorneys licensed in Texas 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, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

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

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

Other Texas Admission on Motion Requirements

Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? No
Is Texas 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
Applicants who do not hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school must qualify under one of Texas’s Rule 13 exemptions. Admission-on-motion applicants must also complete the Texas Law Component.

Texas UBE Score Transfer Requirements

Texas 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	Texas
UBE Score Transfer	Yes
Minimum Legacy UBE Score	270
Maximum UBE Score Age	5 years
NextGen UBE	First accepted for transfer in July 2026; Texas first administers the NextGen UBE in July 2028
Minimum NextGen Score	TBA

Looking to Practice or Expand in Texas?

Whether you’re expanding into Texas or growing an existing practice, Legal Soft helps law firms build legal teams with experienced paralegals, legal assistants, and other legal professionals across the United States.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my UBE score to Texas?

Yes. Texas accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores of at least 270 earned within the past 5 years. Texas began accepting transferred NextGen UBE scores in July 2026, but its minimum NextGen score is still TBA.

Can I waive into the Texas Bar?

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

Does Texas require reciprocity for admission on motion?

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