BAR EXAMINATION

The test or examination for which graduates of accredited law schools must pass in order to obtain a license to practice law. Each state has its own exam and, once a person has passed the exam and is sworn into court, the attorney can practice law in the state and in federal courts located in that state. Only some states have reciprocal arrangements that allow for attorneys of one state to apply to practice law in another state but many require the attorney to take the state bar exam in order to practice law in that state. There are arrangements that can be made with the court in limited circumstances where an attorney may practice law and represent a client on a case by case basis on application to the court, also known as pro hac vice.