Skip to main content

Bar Admission

To become a licensed attorney in Massachusetts, you must meet the requirements and the qualifications established by the Supreme Judicial Court.

A Petition for Admission to the Massachusetts bar by Examination, by Transfer of UBE Score or by Motion must be filed with the Supreme Judicial Court for The County of Suffolk. Completed Petitions including all filing requirements will be referred to the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) to determine whether you have the qualifications and acquirements required for admission, and whether you embody "...that degree of honesty, integrity, and discretion that the public and members of the bench and bar have the right to demand of a lawyer.”

General Information for All Petitioners

Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:01: Attorneys  Rules of the Board of Bar Examiners  Character and Fitness Process  The Massachusetts Law Component (MLC)  Bar Admission Key Terms  

Admission by Examination

Guide to Filing a Petition for Admission by Examination (First-Time)  Guide to Filing a Petition for Admission by Re-Examination  FAQs Regarding the Bar Exam in Massachusetts  Admission by Examination  Nonstandard Testing Accommodations for the Bar Exam  Exam-Day Information  Massachusetts Bar Exam Results  Bar Examination Policies and Expectations Overview 

Admission by UBE Transfer

A petitioner may be eligible for Admission by UBE Transfer if they have earned a UBE score of at least 270 within the last 36 months.

Eligibility for Admission by Transfer of UBE Score  Petition for Admission by UBE Transfer 

Admission by Motion

A petitioner may be eligible for Admission by Motion if they have engaged in the active practice or teaching of law for at least five out of the past seven years.

Eligibility for Admission by Motion  Petition for Admission by Motion 

Foreign-Educated Attorneys

Graduates of law schools in foreign countries may be permitted to sit for the general bar examination or petition for admission by motion upon obtaining a prior determination of their education sufficiency from the Board of Bar Examiners.

Foreign Educated Attorneys 

Contact

Address

John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square, Suite 5-140, Boston, MA 02108
Directions 

Phone

Main: Call Board of Bar Examiners, Main: at (617) 482-4466

Office hours are 8:30am-4:30pm M-F.

Online

Email Email Board of Bar Examiners at info@bbe.state.ma.us
Facebook Follow us on Facebook @BBEMass 

Fax

Fax: (617) 542-5943

Address

Clerk Allison S. Cartwright
John Adams Courthouse, 1st Floor, One Pemberton Square, Suite 1300, Boston, MA 02108-1707
Directions 

Phone

Main phone number Call Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Suffolk, Main phone number at 617-557-1100
Attorney Services Call Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Suffolk, Attorney Services at 617-557-1050

Hours: Weekdays (except holidays) 8:30 am - 4:30pm

Online

General Matters: Email Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Suffolk at sjc.mass.bar.admission@jud.state.ma.us
Bar Admissions and Petitions for Admission: Email Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Suffolk at sjc.mass.bar.admission@jud.state.ma.us

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback