Wisconsin Bar Reciprocity

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

Requirement	Wisconsin
Admission on Motion	Yes
Practice Requirement	3 of the past 5 years
Admission on Motion Fee	$850
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 Wisconsin?

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

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

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

AL, AK, AZ, 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, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY

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

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

Other Wisconsin Admission on Motion Requirements

Must I have graduated from an ABA-approved law school? No
Is Wisconsin 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

Wisconsin UBE Score Transfer Requirements

Wisconsin accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores earned in other jurisdictions. This pathway is separate from the 3-of-5-year admission-on-motion pathway.

Requirement	Wisconsin
UBE Score Transfer	Yes
Minimum Legacy UBE Score	260
Maximum UBE Score Age	36 months
NextGen UBE	Transfer acceptance TBA; Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?

Yes. Wisconsin accepts qualifying Legacy UBE scores of at least 260 earned within the past 36 months. NextGen UBE transfer acceptance and the minimum NextGen score are still TBA.

Can I waive into the Wisconsin Bar?

Yes. Qualified attorneys may seek admission without examination after being substantially engaged in the practice of law for at least 3 of the past 5 years and meeting Wisconsin’s other admission requirements.

Does Wisconsin require reciprocity for admission on motion?

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