Admission Without Exam

For the most up-to-date information on rules, statutes, and policy statements, visit the Board of Law Examiner's website. Go to the application and instructions for admission without exam.

An applicant may be eligible for admission without examination.

A lawyer licensed to practice in another state of the United States, its territories, or the District of Columbia, who has actively practiced law as a principal business or occupation in the jurisdiction where licensed for three of the five years preceding application to Michigan, who intends to practice law in Michigan, may be eligible for admission without examination. Effective January 1, 2013, lawyers seeking admission without examination will no longer be required to declare an intention in good faith to maintain an office in Michigan for the practice of law as a condition of eligibility.

A lawyer licensed to practice in another state of the United States, its territories, or the District of Columbia, who intends to practice law in an institutional setting such as inside counsel for an organization or as an instructor in a law school, may be eligible for a "special certificate" limiting the lawyer's practice in Michigan to representation of the employing institution or organization.

A lawyer admitted to practice in a foreign country, who has actively practiced law as a principal business or occupation in the jurisdiction where licensed for three of the five years preceding application to Michigan, who is a resident in the United States and intends to maintain an office in Michigan for the practice of law, may be eligible to practice as a "special legal consultant." A special legal consultant is authorized to render professional legal advice on the law of the foreign country where the legal consultant is admitted to practice. A special legal consultant is not authorized to advise clients about Michigan law or to practice in Michigan state courts.

An applicant for admission without examination must comply with all other requirements for admission, and must be certified as possessing the requisite good character and fitness for admission.