West Virginia Bar Reciprocity

West Virginia’s Admission on Motion: Years of Practice and Qualifying Practice

Requirement	West Virginia
Admission on Motion	Yes
Practice Requirement	5 of the past 7 years
Admission on Motion Fee	$2,000 + C&F fee
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 West Virginia?

Law teaching
Government agency
Military
Judicial court of record

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

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

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

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

Yes. West Virginia currently recognizes these jurisdictions as reciprocal:

CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI

Other West Virginia Admission on Motion Requirements

Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? No
Is West Virginia 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
Applicants must also demonstrate an intention to practice law in West Virginia on at least a minimal basis.

West Virginia UBE Score Transfer Requirements

West Virginia 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	West Virginia
UBE Score Transfer	Yes
Minimum Legacy UBE Score	270
Maximum UBE Score Age	3 years
NextGen UBE	First accepted for transfer in July 2026; West Virginia first administers the NextGen UBE in July 2027
Minimum NextGen Score	620

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my UBE score to West Virginia?

Yes. West Virginia accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores of at least 270 and NextGen UBE scores of at least 620. A transferred score cannot be more than 3 years old.

Can I waive into the West Virginia Bar?

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

Does West Virginia require reciprocity for admission on motion?

Yes. West Virginia’s admission-on-motion pathway is based on reciprocity. Applicants must be admitted in at least one jurisdiction that West Virginia recognizes as reciprocal.