Or. State. Bar. R. Regul. and Polic. 3.05

As amended through June 11, 2024

Rule 3.05 - Qualifications of Applicants

Prior to taking the bar examination in Oregon, the applicant must show that the applicant will be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission to the practice of law and meet the requirements of either section (1), (2) or (3):

(1) The applicant is a graduate of a law school approved by the American Bar Association, earning a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree.

(2) The applicant is a graduate of a law school in the United States, earning a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree, and

(a) Has been admitted to practice before the highest tribunal of another state, the District of Columbia, or federal territory, where the requirements for admission are substantially equivalent to those of this state; and

(b) Has been actively, substantially and continuously engaged in the practice of law for at least three of the five years immediately preceding the taking of the examination.

(3) The applicant is a graduate of a law school in a foreign jurisdiction, as defined in ORS 9.242(2). In such case, the applicant shall have the burden of proving:

(a) That the requirements for admission to the practice of law in the foreign jurisdiction in which the applicant was educated is substantially equivalent to those of this state;

(b) That the applicant is currently admitted to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction where the Common Law of England exists as a basis of its jurisprudence, or has been admitted in any United States jurisdiction after having passed a bar exam in any United States jurisdiction ; and

(c) That the applicant is a graduate of a law school equivalent to a law school approved by the American Bar Association. The Board shall evaluate whether the applicant's law school meets this above requirement. To assist in this determination, the Board may require that the applicant's law school education be evaluated by a commercial evaluator of the Board's choosing at the applicant's expense.

(4) An applicant may be allowed to sit for the examination prior to earning a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B) degree if the applicant:

(a) is currently enrolled in a law school approved by the American Bar Association;

(b) is expected to earn a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B) degree within 120 days of sitting for the examination;

(c) has satisfied all graduation requirements to earn a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree except law school coursework that can be completed during the applicant's post examination final semester (or quarter);

(d) will not be actively engaged in more than two semester hours (or quarter hour equivalent) of law school course work other than bar examination preparation courses during the month prior to the examination and the month the examination is held; and

(e) has submitted timely a properly signed Declaration for Examination on the form provided by the Oregon State Bar, certifying that the applicant is academically prepared to take the examination.

(5) No applicant shall be recommended to practice law until an applicant has earned a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree and submitted Certificate of Graduation. If an applicant qualifying under Rule 3.05(4) to take the examination does not complete degree requirements within 120 days of sitting for the examination and has not filed an Declaration for Waiver of the 120 Days Requirement, all parts of the examination, including the applicant's scores, shall be void for purposes of being admitted to practice law in Oregon and the applicant's examination scores shall not be disclosed for any purpose.

(6) Paragraph (4) of this rule shall be effective for examinations beginning February, 2016 and thereafter.

RFA 3.05 - Declaration A

Oregon State Bar - Admissions Department

Declaration for Examination

______________________________

Last Name First Name Middle Name

______________________________

Month/Year of Exam

______________________________

Law School

______________________________

Law School Address

Pursuant to Rule 3.05(4), Rules of Admission, I certify that my law school is accredited by the American Bar Association and that I meet the following examination requirements:

1. I am currently enrolled as a student in good standing;

2. I expect to earn a Juris Doctor Degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree within 120 days of sitting for the examination;

3. I will satisfy all graduation requirements to earn a Juris Doctor degree or Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree except law school course work that can be completed during my post examination final semester (or quarter);

4. I will not be actively engaged in more than two semester hours (or quarter hour equivalent) of law school course work other than bar examination preparation courses during the month prior to the examination and the month the examination is held; and

5. I have been determined by my law school to be academically prepared to take the examination.

NOTE: If after you file this form you no longer meet the above stated requirements, you must within 10 days of the date you no longer qualify submit written notification to the Oregon State Bar-Admissions Department and your law school.

______________________________

Signature of Applicant/Declarant

______________________________

DATE

______________________________

Name and Title of Dean or Designee

______________________________

Signature of Dean or Designee

RFA 3.05 - Declaration B

Oregon State Bar - Admissions Department

Declaration for Waiver of the 120 Day Requirement

______________________________

Last Name First Name Middle Name

______________________________

Month/Year of Exam

______________________________

Law School

______________________________

Law School Address

Pursuant to Rule 3.05(4), Rules of Admission, I certify that my law school is accredited by the American Bar Association and that I am unable to earn a Juris Doctor Degree or Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) degree within 120 days of sitting for the examination due to the following extraordinary circumstances:

______________________________________________

Attach supporting documents, e.g., evidence of major illness, family emergency, etc., to support waiver request.

______________________________

Signature of Applicant/Declarant

______________________________

Date

Waiver: ____ Granted Juris Doctor Degree or Bachelor of Law (L.L.B) degree must be earned within _____ (no more than 120) days of the date of this Waiver.

____ Denied

______________________________

Name and Title of Dean or Designee

______________________________

Signature of Dean or Designee

Or. State. Bar. R. Regul. and Polic. 3.05

Revised 1/1/2023.