Guidelines for Seeking Waiver of the ABA-Approved Law School Degree Requirement Pursuant to Maryland Rule 19-201(b)

Waiver Request Form (Fillable PDF) (Word)

A candidate is eligible to take the Maryland Bar examination only if he or she has completed the pre-legal education necessary to meet the minimum requirements for admission to an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school AND has earned a Juris Doctor degree (or its equivalent) from a law school approved by the ABA. (See Maryland Rule 19-201(a) and the Annotated Code of Maryland, Business Occupations and Professions, Section 10-207(d).)

The State Board of Law Examiners (“SBLE”) has the discretion to waive the standard educational requirement for any person who has passed the bar examination of another U.S. state and is a member in good standing of the Bar of that State and, in the Board’s opinion is qualified by reason of education, experience, or both, to take the bar examination. (See Maryland Rule 19-201(b)(1).)

SBLE also has the discretion to waive the standard educational requirement for applicants receiving their first legal degree (J.D. or equivalent) from a non-U.S. law school AND who also obtains an LL.M. from an American Bar Association accredited law school. (See Maryland Rule 19-201(b)(2) and Board Rule 7.)

Submit a Waiver Request Form, which must be accompanied by the following documents:

1. A narrative statement containing (a) a detailed description of your pre-legal education indicating the name and location of each college or university attended, the date of graduation (if any), and the degree(s) obtained (if any); (b) a detailed description of your legal education indicating the name and location of each law school(s) attended and the date of your law school graduation; and (c) a detailed description of any experience you have in the practice of law.

2. An official transcript from each undergraduate college or university attended reflecting all of the courses taken, the number of semester hours of credit earned, and the degree(s) awarded, if any. (Transcripts must remain in a sealed envelope from the college or university or must be sent electronically from the college or university to [email protected]. For LLM applicants only, SBLE will accept copies of non-U.S. scholastic transcripts contained in the applicant’s LSAC file provided to the U.S. law school.)

3. An official transcript from each law school attended reflecting all of the course taken, the number of semester hours of credit earned, and the degree(s) awarded, if any. (Transcripts must remain in a sealed envelope from the college or university or must be sent electronically from the college or university to [email protected]. For LLM applicants only, SBLE will accept copies of non-U.S. scholastic transcripts contained in the applicant’s LSAC file provided to the U.S. law school.)

4. IF THE WAIVER REQUEST IS BASED ON ADMISSION TO THE BAR OF ANOTHER U.S. state: 

a. A current, original Certificate of Admission/Good Standing issued by a the highest court of a U.S. state. Please note that in many U.S. states the Certificate of Admission and the Certificate of Good Standing are combined in a single document.

b. A letter from the proper authority certifying that you have taken and passed the Bar examination in the U.S. state or non-U.S. jurisdiction issuing the Certificate(s) described in (a.), above.

*5. IF THE WAIVER IS BASED ON AN LLM DEGREE pursuant to Rule 19-201(b)(2), all the items listed in #1, #2, #3, above, plus all of the documentation required by Board Rule 7

• The LL.M. must meet the requirements of Board Rule 7
• You must consult the law school conveying the LL.M. degree to obtain the required certifications. 
• The certifications required by Board Rule 7(b)(1) and (b)(2) may be combined in a single certification signed by the dean, assistant dean or acting dean of the law school, or by an authorized designee within the dean’s office. You may submit that certification and the admission documents required by Rule 7(b)(3) with your Waiver Request only if the certification is printed on law school letterhead and contains an original wet signature of the certifying official. Otherwise, the certifications and admission documents must be submitted to SBLE directly by the law school, either electronically or by mail.

Except as set forth in items #2 and #3, above, original documents are required and absent specific permission granted for good cause, photocopied, scanned and faxed supporting documents are not acceptable. You must contact the proper official and request documents authenticated with appropriate seals and/or original signatures.

Except as set forth below, supporting documents should accompany your waiver request letter when filed. SBLE may reject your request as incomplete if you fail to submit all required documentation with your waiver request letter.

Special Note Regarding Transcripts: If your college or the law school has a policy of not releasing official transcripts to students, you must request that the college or law school send the transcripts directly to SBLE. Advise SBLE in writing that your transcripts will be sent directly to this office by the college or law school. SBLE must receive transcripts supplied directly by the institution on or before the waiver request deadline, below.

Deadlines for Waiver Requests: The State Board of Law Examiners requires adequate time to review and consider your credentials PRIOR to permitting you to file a Bar Application:

• For a July examination, the waiver request and all documentation should be received in this office no later than 4:30p.m. on the preceding April 20th.

• For a February examination, the request for a waiver and all documentation should be received in this office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the preceding November 20th.

The Waiver Request Form and accompanying documents should be mailed or delivered to:

Notification of Waiver Approval: When your waiver request file is complete, the State Board of Law Examiners will review it. After a review of the documentation accompanying your request, the State Board of Law Examiners will make its determination and notify you whether you qualify for a waiver. You must include your email address on your Waiver Request Form. When the Board decides, a letter will be emailed you with the Board’s decision and instructions to complete SBLE’s online electronic Bar application (“eBar”).