PLEASE NOTE: New York Judiciary Law §478 makes it unlawful for anyone to practice, appear or hold themselves out to be an attorney, lawyer or counselor-at-law without first being duly authorized.
Individuals may be formally admitted to practice in New York State in one of two ways, upon examination or upon motion.
Admission Upon Examination
The New York State Board of Law Examiners (BOLE) administers the bar examination to candidates seeking admission to practice law in the State of New York. The bar examination is administered twice per year, in February and in July. Candidates who successfully pass the exam components are then certified for admission by BOLE to one of the four Departments of the Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court.
Additional information, including Bar Exam eligibility, education requirements, application forms, fees, exam results and other detailed answers to FAQs can be found at the NY State Law Examiners, (BOLE).
Admission Upon Motion (Reciprocal Admission)
New York State permits admission on motion, without examination, for applicants who have practiced for five of the preceding seven years, are admitted to practice in at least one reciprocal U.S. jurisdiction, and who have graduated from an American Bar Association approved law school. BOLE is also responsible for approving and certifying each candidate for admission on motion. Additional information, including the list of reciprocal jurisdictions, application forms and fees can be found at the NY State Law Examiners, (BOLE)..
Formal Admission to Practice
Whether certified for admission by BOLE upon examination or upon motion, it is the four Departments of the Appellate Division who are ultimately responsible for assessing each candidate's character and fitness and, once so approved, for admitting those candidates to the practice of law in New York. Candidates are certified to one of the four Departments based upon the candidate's residence or place of business.
Departments of the Appellate Division
Appellate Division, First Judicial Department
(New York & Bronx Counties)
Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department
(Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk & Westchester Counties)
Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department
(Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren & Washington Counties, and all candidates who neither work nor reside within New York State)
Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department
(Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming & Yates Counties)