R.i. Sup. Ct. R. 6

As amended through June 7, 2024

Rule 6 - Board of Bar Examiners

(a)Composition of Board. The Board of Bar Examiners shall consist of eleven (11) members to be appointed by the court. The members of the Board shall hold office for the term of five (5) years from the date of their several appointments or until their successors are appointed. The Court may remove any examiner at the Court's pleasure and fill any vacancy in said Board. Subject to the approval of the Court, the Board may make rules for its organization, conduct, and government.

The members of the Board shall serve without compensation and shall be immune from suit for any conduct in the course of their official duties.

(b)Powers and Duties of the Board. The Board of Bar Examiners shall ascertain the qualifications of the applicants seeking admission on examination and shall examine the applicants as to their knowledge of law and shall report to the Supreme Court the names of applicants the Board recommends for admission to the bar. The Board shall also ascertain the qualifications of the applicants seeking admission by transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination score. Each applicant recommended, unless the Court otherwise orders, shall be admitted as an attorney of this court and shall be entitled to practice law in all the courts of this state.

All candidates for admission to the bar shall complete and execute all written applications, questionnaires, affidavits, and other statements that the Board in its discretion shall require of them.

Upon petition, for good cause shown, the Board, in its discretion, may waive compliance with any of the foregoing rules for any applicant seeking admission on examination and by transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination score if the Board finds that such waiver will not be detrimental to the public interest. An applicant aggrieved by a denial of the Board of the applicant's petition for a waiver may file a petition for review with the Supreme Court within thirty (30) days of the issuance of notice by the Board of such denial. Petitions seeking review of decisions of the Board shall be filed in accordance with Article I of the Supreme Court Rules of Appellate Procedure. Included among the individuals who may invoke the waiver provisions of this rule are applicants with a past, present, or future military obligations with any branch of the armed forces of the United States.

R.i. Sup. Ct. R. 6

Amended effective 9/7/2018; Revised 4/8/2024.

The Rules of Practice of the Board of Bar Examiners Governing Admission on Examination and by Transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination are available on the Rhode Island Supreme Court website or by contacting the Bar Administrator at the Rhode Island Supreme Court Clerk's Office, Licht Judicial Complex, 250 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, ribarexam@courts.ri.gov.