Rule 19-201 - Eligibility to Take Maryland General Bar Examination(a) General Requirements. Subject to section (b) of this Rule, in order to be admitted to the Maryland Bar by the UBE, an individual shall have: (1) completed the pre-legal education necessary to meet the minimum requirements for admission to a law school approved by the American Bar Association;(2) graduated with a juris doctor or equivalent degree from a law school (A) located in a state and (B) approved by the American Bar Association;(3) achieved a qualifying UBE score;(4) achieved a qualifying MPRE score;(5) successfully completed the Maryland Law Component; and(6) established good moral character and fitness for admission to the Bar.(b) Waiver of Juris Doctor Requirements. The Board may waive the requirements of subsection (a)(2) of this Rule for an applicant who (1) has passed the bar examination of another state, is a member in good standing of the Bar of that state, and the Board finds is qualified by reason of education or experience to take the bar examination; or (2) has completed legal education in a jurisdiction that is not defined as a state by Rule 19-101(l) and has obtained an additional degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association that meets the requirements prescribed by the Board Rules.(c) Minors. If otherwise qualified, an applicant who is under 18 years of age is eligible to take the bar examination but shall not be admitted to the Bar until 18 years of age. This Rule is derived in part from former Rules 3 and 4 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Maryland (2016) and is in part new.
Adopted June 6, 2016, eff. 7/1/2016. Amended Dec. 4, 2018, eff. 3/1/2019; amended March 1, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024.HISTORICAL NOTES
2018 Orders
The December 4, 2018 order conformed the Rule for implementation of the Uniform Bar Exam and made stylistic changes.