Eligibility Requirements for Application by Uniform Bar Exam Score Transfer

In accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.3, admission based upon a qualifying Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) score is available to those who have achieved a UBE score in another jurisdiction no more than three years preceding application for admission in Colorado. A minimum qualifying UBE scaled score of 270 as of the February 2023 UBE exam is required. A score of 276 or higher is required for any exam administrations prior to the February 2023 UBE exam. A UBE score earned more than three years but less than five years prior to filing an application in Colorado may qualify with additional law practice experience.

UBE scores are transferred directly from the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) to the Office of Attorney Admissions through a secure communication link. UBE scores may not be transferred until after the date upon which the scores were released in the jurisdiction where the UBE score was achieved. UBE scores may be transferred to the Office of Attorney Admissions prior to submitting an application; however, UBE scores must be received no later than 45 days after filing a UBE application in Colorado. Each candidate is responsible for requesting a UBE score transfer from NCBE to this office.

Persons who file a UBE application, but whose application is determined not eligible, may transfer the application to the next scheduled bar exam or withdraw the application. No refunds will be given. A decision to transfer a UBE application to the bar examination or to withdraw a UBE application must be submitted in writing no later than 30 days following the determination that a UBE application is not eligible.

In accordance to C.R.C.P. 203.1 those applying for licensure to practice law in Colorado must adhere to the following General Provisions:

1. Application Forms. All applications for a license to practice law in Colorado shall be made on forms furnished by the Office of Attorney Admissions. The application forms shall require such information as is necessary to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements of these rules, together with such additional information as is necessary for the efficient administration of these rules. Applicants must answer all questions completely, and must provide all required documentation. The Office of Attorney Admissions may, in its discretion, reject an incomplete application or place an incomplete application on hold until all required information is produced.
2. Confidentiality. Information contained on applications for a license to practice law in Colorado shall be deemed confidential and may be released only under the conditions for release of confidential information established by C.R.C.P. 211.1.
3. Duty to Supplement. (a) Applicants must immediately update the application with respect to all matters inquired of. This duty to supplement continues in effect up to the time an applicant takes the oath of admission. Updates must be reported in a manner consistent with the Office of Attorney Admissions’ requirements. (b) Failure to timely supplement a pending application may result in the denial of the application, a review of such failure as a character and fitness issue, or if the person has already been admitted to the practice of law in Colorado, discipline or revocation of the person’s license to practice law.
4. Fees. All applicants must pay a fee in an amount fixed by the Supreme Court. The fee must be paid when the application is submitted.
5. Admission to the Bar. An applicant who qualifies for admission under this rule, and who meets the character and fitness requirements set forth in C.R.C.P. 208, shall be admitted to the practice of law in Colorado in the manner prescribed by these rules.
6. Disbarred Out-of-State Attorneys. A person who has been disbarred from the practice of law in another jurisdiction, or who has resigned pending disciplinary proceedings in another jurisdiction, other than reciprocal action based upon a Colorado disbarment, is not eligible to apply for admission to the practice of law in Colorado until the person has been readmitted in the jurisdiction in which the person was disbarred or resigned.
7. Suspended Out-of-State Attorneys. A person who has been suspended for disciplinary purposes from the practice of law in another jurisdiction, other than reciprocal discipline based upon Colorado discipline, is not eligible to apply for admission to the practice of law in Colorado until the period of suspension has expired and the person has been reinstated to the practice of law in the jurisdiction in which the person was suspended.
8. Mandatory Professionalism Course. All applicants under these rules, unless otherwise exempted, must complete the required course on professionalism presented by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel in cooperation with the Colorado Bar Association – CLE. Continuing legal education credit will be applied to the attorneys’ first compliance period pursuant to C.R.C.P. 250.2(1). Any fees received for the course shall be divided equally between the Colorado Bar Association – CLE and the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel to pay for administering the course and to fund the attorney regulation system. Credit for completion of the professionalism course will be valid for eighteen months following completion of the course. Applicants under C.R.C.P. 205 temporary practice rules are not required to take this course.

Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 203.3:

1. Score Transfer, Generally. An applicant who has taken the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) in a jurisdiction other than Colorado, and who meets the following requirements may, upon motion, be admitted to the practice of law in Colorado based upon UBE score transfer. The applicant under this rule shall:

1. Have earned a UBE score that is passing, based upon the general standards of performance set by the Supreme Court, in an administration of the UBE taken within the three years immediately preceding the date upon which the motion is filed;
2. Be otherwise eligible to sit for the UBE in Colorado under C.R.C.P. 203.4;
3. Establish that the applicant is currently a member in good standing in all jurisdictions where admitted, if any;
4. Establish that the applicant is not currently subject to attorney discipline or the subject of a pending disciplinary matter in any jurisdiction;
5. Establish that the applicant possesses the character and fitness required of all applicants for admission to the practice of law in Colorado as set forth in C.R.C.P. 208; and
6. Pay the required application fee.

2. Score Transfer, Three to Five Years. If the transferred UBE score was earned more than three years but less than five years before the date upon which the motion was filed, the applicant may qualify for admission under this rule if the applicant also establishes that the applicant has been primarily engaged in the active practice of law, as defined in C.R.C.P. 203.2(2), for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the application in another jurisdiction of the United States wherein the applicant is a member in good standing and authorized to practice law throughout the aforesaid two-year period.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE): click here for more information on the MPRE requirements for UBE Score Transfer applicants.

Practicing with Professionalism Course: click here for more information on the professionalism course requirements for UBE Score Transfer applicants.

Taking the Oath: Pursuant to C.R.C.P. 211.3(1) and (2), UBE score transfer applicants must take the oath of admission no more than eighteen months following the application approval by the Colorado Supreme Court.