Connecticut Admission on Motion

Bar Exam Project wiki article. Part of the Connecticut Bar Exam cluster.

Connecticut permits experienced attorneys admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction to be admitted to the Connecticut Bar without taking the bar exam, under Connecticut Practice Book Section 2-13 (Admission Without Examination). This page covers eligibility, qualifying practice, fees, and how to navigate the application.

One-line summary

Under Connecticut Practice Book Section 2-13 (Admission Without Examination), an attorney admitted in another U.S. jurisdiction with 10 of the last 15 years of qualifying practice may be admitted to Connecticut without bar exam. The fee is $1,500. The MPRE 80 requirement and Character & Fitness clearance still apply. Reciprocity context: reciprocity-limited — Connecticut requires reciprocal admission privileges from the applicant home jurisdiction.

Rule overview

Connecticut Practice Book Section 2-13 (Admission Without Examination) permits admission to the Connecticut Bar without bar examination for an attorney who:

• Is admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Has been engaged in the active practice of law for 10 of the last 15 years.
• Earned a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school (or equivalent).
• Has passed the MPRE with a score of 80 or higher (in Connecticut or another U.S. jurisdiction).
• Is in good standing in every jurisdiction where admitted.
• Clears the Connecticut Character & Fitness review.

The practice-time test

The 10 of the last 15 years test means: in the relevant period immediately preceding the date you file your application, you must have been actively practicing law for the qualifying duration. Inactive periods (parental leave, illness, sabbatical) generally do not count toward the practice years. The practice can be in one or multiple U.S. jurisdictions.

What counts as qualifying practice

Most Connecticut admission-on-motion rules accept the following as qualifying practice:

• Private practice as a member, associate, or employee of any law firm, with active client representation.
• In-house corporate counsel at a U.S. corporation or its U.S. affiliate.
• Government practice at any level (federal, state, local) in a position requiring bar admission.
• Judicial clerkships (federal or state).
• Military legal services in a JAG-style role.
• Law teaching as a full-time faculty member at an ABA-approved law school.

What does not count: paralegal work, legal-adjacent business roles, lobbying without bar-required practice, or work in jurisdictions that don’t recognize you as licensed.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity-limited — connecticut requires reciprocal admission privileges from the applicant home jurisdiction.

MPRE and Character & Fitness

Admission-on-motion applicants must show MPRE 80+ (any U.S. jurisdiction) and clear Connecticut’s Character & Fitness review. Free MPRE practice: MBEmax MPRE.

Fees and timeline

Application fee: $1,500. Plus Character & Fitness review fee where applicable, plus per-jurisdiction Certificate of Good Standing fees ($25-$50 each, set by each jurisdiction). Processing typically runs 4-9 months from filing to admission, depending on C&F review complexity.

Required documentation

• Proof of J.D. from an ABA-approved law school (or equivalent).
• Bar admission certificates from every jurisdiction where admitted.
• Certificate of Good Standing from every jurisdiction where currently admitted.
• MPRE score report.
• Detailed employment history covering the relevant period, with employer attestation forms for each qualifying position.
• Character & Fitness questionnaire with full disclosure of criminal, civil, financial, academic, and disciplinary history.

Common pitfalls

• Misreading the practice test. The 10 of the last 15 years count is from the date of application, not lifetime practice.
• Disclosing thinly. Character & Fitness treats non-disclosure more harshly than the underlying conduct.
• Underestimating C&F timeline. Even routine reviews take months.

Alternative paths if you don’t qualify

• If you don’t meet the practice test, sit for the Connecticut Bar Examination under the standard rules.
• If you have a UBE passing score from another jurisdiction earned within the score-life window, transfer that score into Connecticut (separate path).

Companion pages

• Connecticut Bar Exam News & Format Changes
• Return to the Connecticut Bar Exam Hub

Sources

• Connecticut Bar Examining Committee (CBEC) — https://ctbaradmissions.jud.ct.gov/.
• NCBE Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements — Connecticut.