Governors to discuss expanded bar‑exam eligibility for graduates of non‑ABA schools

Board member Jordan reported that he and Hinata gathered comparative data on other states’ rules and proposed a policy change that would allow applicants who are permitted to take the bar in any state to also sit for Washington’s bar exam, effectively widening eligibility to some graduates of non‑ABA‑accredited law programs.

Jordan said the change would align application eligibility with an existing licensing rule that already allows attorneys admitted elsewhere to be licensed here after taking another state’s bar, but would move that step earlier in the process so prospective applicants could sit for Washington’s examination. He told governors he would present a more fully developed proposal and data at the board’s November meeting, where law school deans will be invited to participate.

During the roundtable Jordan asked for a straw poll on whether governors would be generally supportive of having a detailed conversation with the law school deans. "People generally supportive of that idea," he reported after conducting the informal straw poll.

The roundtable discussion did not result in a formal change to bar rules. Board members requested additional information and planned a November discussion with law school deans and other stakeholders before any formal vote or rulemaking.