Rule 18: Admission to Practice Law in Washington for Lawyers Licensed in Other States

Reciprocal Admission/Reciprocity

Under Rule 18 of the Admission to Practice Rules (APR), lawyers licensed to practice law in other states or territories of the United States or the District of Columbia may be admitted to practice law in Washington under procedures and conditions that are substantially similar to the procedures and conditions under which the other licensing state or territory allows the admission of licensed Washington lawyers to their states.

Requirements for Admission under APR 18

All applicants should read APR 18 for all the admission requirements under that rule. In summary, to apply for admission under APR 18, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Present satisfactory proof of both admission to the practice of law with current good standing in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, and active legal experience as a lawyer or counselor at law at the time of the application;
• Establish the terms and conditions under which the other jurisdiction allows the admission of licensed Washington lawyers;
• If the other jurisdiction requires Washington lawyers to complete or meet other conditions or requirements, the applicant must meet a substantially similar requirement for admission in Washington; and
• Possess the good moral character and fitness requisite for a member of the Bar of the State of Washington.

Some other jurisdictions require that all lawyer applicants take and pass the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Washington does not administer the MPRE, and MPRE grades from other jurisdictions are not transferable to Washington. Applicants from jurisdictions requiring the MPRE must take and pass the Washington Professional Responsibility Examination (PRE), administered twice a year on the same schedule as the Washington State Bar Examination.
Applicants may determine the requirements of their "home" state, including whether the professional responsibility examination is required, by referring to the other state's admission rules. Additional information can be found on the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) website.

Applications and Instructions for reciprocity admission are available for printing off of this website free of charge:

• APR 18 Reciprocity Application
• APR 18 Reciprocity Instructions and Information

The reciprocity instructions and information contain detailed information about all aspects and requirements for admission under APR 18, including the examination, if required. Please carefully and thoroughly read all the information provided.

If you prefer, you may purchase an application packet for $15. There are two ways to request that an APR 18 Reciprocity Application Packet be mailed to you:

• call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA(9722) and charge the fee to your Visa or MasterCard; or
• mail a request with your check payable to the WSBA to:
  
  WSBA
  Attn: Admissions
  1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600
  Seattle, WA 98101-2539

Packets purchased from the WSBA include copies of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and Admission to Practice Rules (APR). Those who self-print will find links to the rules in the instructions.

Application and Other Deadlines

For applicants not required to take the professional responsibility examination, there are no application deadlines. Applications are accepted year-round.

Applicants required to take the professional responsibility examination must comply with the Washington State Bar Examination deadlines. Please see the Bar Examination Deadlines & Schedules page.