Multi-State Practice: UBE Transfer, Reciprocity, and Admission on Motion (2026)
Moving states as an attorney requires navigating a patchwork of admission rules. Three main paths exist: UBE score transfer, admission on motion (reciprocity), or retaking the bar. The right path depends on where you were admitted, how long you have been practising, and where you want to go.
Three Paths to Practise in Another State
UBE Transfer
Transfer your score from one UBE jurisdiction to another. Fastest option. Works within 2-5 years of the exam date. 41 jurisdictions participate. Each sets its own minimum score.
Admission on Motion
Reciprocity-based admission without retaking the bar. Requires 3-5 years of active law practice. Not all states participate. California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Nevada are common non-AOM states.
Retake the Bar
Sit the new state's bar examination. Always available. Required when UBE and AOM are not options (e.g., California admissions from NY without sufficient UBE score or practice years).
UBE Jurisdictions: Minimum Transfer Scores (April 2026)
Source: National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). Verify current scores and windows at ncbex.org before applying -- scores and policies change. UBE is scored on a scale of 0-400; most jurisdictions require 260-280 for transfer.
| Jurisdiction | Minimum Transfer Score | Transfer Window |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 260 | 5 years |
| Alaska | 280 | 3 years |
| Arizona | 273 | 4 years |
| Arkansas | 270 | 3 years |
| Colorado | 276 | 5 years |
| Connecticut | 266 | 3 years |
| DC | 266 | 5 years |
| Idaho | 270 | 3 years |
| Illinois | 266 | 5 years |
| Indiana | 264 | 3 years |
| Iowa | 266 | 3 years |
| Kansas | 266 | 3 years |
| Kentucky | 260 | 3 years |
| Maine | 270 | 3 years |
| Maryland | 266 | 3 years |
| Massachusetts | 270 | 3 years |
| Michigan (NextGen pilot) | Varies | TBD |
| Minnesota | 260 | 3 years |
| Missouri | 260 | 3 years |
| Montana | 270 | 3 years |
| Nebraska | 273 | 3 years |
| New Hampshire | 270 | 3 years |
| New Jersey | 266 | 3 years |
| New Mexico | 270 | 3 years |
| New York | 266 | 3 years |
| North Dakota | 260 | 3 years |
| Ohio | 266 | 3 years |
| Oregon | 274 | 3 years |
| Pennsylvania | 273 | 3 years |
| Rhode Island | 270 | 3 years |
| South Carolina | 266 | 3 years |
| South Dakota | 260 | 3 years |
| Tennessee | 270 | 3 years |
| US Virgin Islands | 266 | 3 years |
| Utah | 270 | 3 years |
| Vermont | 270 | 3 years |
| Virgin Islands | 266 | 3 years |
| Washington | 266 | 3 years |
| West Virginia | 270 | 3 years |
| Wyoming | 270 | 3 years |
Non-UBE jurisdictions as of April 2026: California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan (transitioning to NextGen), Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin. These states require either AOM (where available) or retaking the local bar.
Admission on Motion: Key Considerations
Admission on motion (AOM) is the process allowing a practising attorney to gain admission in a second state without retaking the bar, based on years of active practice. The typical requirements:
- Active practice requirement: typically 3-5 years of active law practice in the past 5-7 years.
- Reciprocity: many states only grant AOM to attorneys from states that would equally admit their attorneys (mutual reciprocity). Some states offer unilateral AOM.
- MPRE requirement: passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, at the target state's required level.
- CLE compliance: some states require proof of CLE compliance in current jurisdiction.
- Character and fitness: full character review, same as for bar admission.
- Fee: application fees range from $400 to $2,500+ depending on jurisdiction.
States with no AOM pathway (as of April 2026) include California, Florida (though it recently expanded some options), Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, and a few others. An attorney admitted in one of these states who wants to practise in a non-AOM-equivalent state will typically need to retake the bar unless they qualify for UBE transfer.
Practical Scenarios
Transfer your UBE score to NJ. NJ minimum is 266 -- you qualify. Transfer window is 3 years from exam. Apply to NJ Board of Bar Examiners, pay the transfer fee, provide MPRE score, pass NJ character review. No need to retake the bar.
Florida is not a UBE jurisdiction, so there is no UBE score to transfer. Florida does offer AOM reciprocity with New York IF you have 5+ years of active practice (Florida Bar Rule 2-9.3). With sufficient years, apply for NY AOM. Without sufficient years, sit the NY UBE.
Transfer your UBE score to DC. DC minimum is 266 -- you qualify. Transfer window is 5 years. DC also requires a separate DC Bar application and character review. No retake needed.
This is a real UPL risk. ABA Model Rule 5.5 creates safe harbours for temporary practice connected to a home-state matter, but remote work for a firm in another state on matters arising in that state is not clearly covered. The safest approach: seek pro hac vice admission for specific matters, or gain full admission in the second state.