Qualifying for an Admission Waiver

The Texas Board of Law Examiners is responsible for certifying that applicants are eligible for admission to the State Bar of Texas. The Supreme Court of Texas is ultimately responsible for admitting those applicants as licensed attorneys and members of the State Bar of Texas. The State Bar of Texas is responsible for the regulation and discipline of Texas licensed lawyers.

Attorneys who are seeking to become Texas licensed attorneys without taking the Texas Bar Examination must meet the eligibility requirements set forth on TBLE’s website. Essentially, you must:

• Hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or satisfy each element of a Rule 13 exemption from the law study requirement. See Rule 13 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas.
• Be licensed to practice law in another state.
• Have been actively engaged in the lawful practice of law as your principal business or occupation for at least 5 of the 7 years immediately preceding your application.
• Score 85 or higher on the MPRE.
• Satisfy the requirements of Rule 2(a)(5), meaning you are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, otherwise authorized to work lawfully in the U.S. (including a period of Optional Practical Training), or an applicant who does not reside in the U.S. when the application is submitted.
• Electronically submit an Admission Without Examination (AWOX) application, pay the filing fee, and arrange for third parties to submit documents as required.
• Complete the Texas Law Component.
• Complete the fingerprinting process as indicated in the TBLE eligibility requirements.
• Be certified by the TBLE Board as having present good moral character and fitness.
• Register with the State Bar of Texas, pay bar dues, and pay a licensing fee.
• Take the required Oath.
• Complete the Justice James A. Baker Guide to Ethics and Professionalism in Texas no later than 12 months after being licensed.

See the FAQs on the TBLE website for additional information regarding admission without examination, including what activities count as being “actively and substantially engaged in the lawful practice of law,” ATLAS (the electronic application portal), and fingerprints.