Reciprocal Applicants - Idaho Bar Commission Rule 206.
Qualifications. In order to be admitted to practice law without taking the Idaho bar examination, a Reciprocal Applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she:
1. Has met the qualifications for admission under Rule 202;
2. Has passed a written bar examination and was admitted as an attorney by the highest court in any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia that grants reciprocal admission under provisions substantially similar to this rule to attorneys licensed in Idaho;
3. Has been substantially engaged in the Active Practice of Law for no less than three of the five years immediately preceding the Application and has practiced law in Idaho or under the authority of another jurisdiction that grants admission, under provisions substantially similar to this rule to attorneys licensed in Idaho. An attorney is substantially engaged in the Active Practice of Law under this rule if the attorney is:
(a) Licensed in Idaho as house counsel under Rule 225. Practice of law in Idaho as house counsel without an Idaho house counsel license does not satisfy the requirements of this subsection;
(b) A judge, administrative judge or the equivalent thereof in another jurisdiction, of a court of general or appellate jurisdiction of any state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or federal court in the United States; or
(c) Employed by and teaching full-time in an Approved Law School;
4. Possesses the moral character and fitness required of all other Applicants for admission;
5. Has paid all required Application fees and costs; and
6. Has not failed the Idaho bar examination in the five years immediately preceding the Application.
The burden of proof is on the applicant to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he or she meets each of the above requirements.
Legal Intern or Pro Hac Vice. The time an attorney practices or practiced in Idaho under Rule 226 or 227 does not independently qualify as time substantially engaged in the Active Practice of Law.
Time and Manner for Admission. Reciprocal Applicants shall be admitted as provided in Rule 220.
Continuing Legal Education. Reciprocal Applicants admitted to practice law shall, no later than six months following the Reciprocal Applicant’s admission to practice law, certify completion of at least fifteen hours of continuing legal education on Idaho practice, procedure and ethics, in courses administered by and/or approved by the Bar. Reciprocal Applicants admitted to practice under this rule shall complete the Idaho practice and procedure and ethics sections of the Practical Skills Seminar approved by the Bar. Credits for self-study programs applicable to the mandatory continuing legal education requirements under this rule shall be limited to one-half of the fifteen required hours.
More information on the reciprocal admission credits requirement.
The application process could take from 60 to 90 days to complete. The application fee is $800.00. If you have questions about the application process or the admission requirements, please contact Maureen Ryan Braley, Admissions Director, or Belinda Brown at (208) 334-4500.
The text of the reciprocal admission rule is in Idaho Bar Commission Rule 206.