When military spouse attorneys move across state lines or leave the United States with their spouse, they face a complicated licensing regime. MSJDN advocates for licensing reciprocity to allow military spouse attorneys to practice law in their new home without taking another bar exam. Because each state supreme court and bar association sets its own rules regarding bar admission, we have adopted a state-by-state approach to our advocacy efforts.
Our efforts are supported by the American Bar Association, the Conference of Chief Justices, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Military Family Association, and many other organizations that support military families.
MSJDN has drafted a Model Rule to assist jurisdictions interested in supporting military families. When adopted, the rule allows military spouse attorneys to practice in their new jurisdiction if they are present due to their spouse’s military orders and maintain a license in good standing in another state.
Email statelicensing@msjdn.org with any questions or to become involved in our ongoing efforts!
History of MSJDN’s Licensing Efforts
In February 2012, with the support of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, the ABA House of Delegates adopted a ABA Resolution 108 (2012) supporting changes in state licensing rules for military spouses with law degrees.
In April 2012, Idaho became the first state to approve a military spouse licensing accommodation.
Then in July 2012, the Conference of Chief Justices voted to support a resolution for admission of military spouse attorneys without examination. You can read the resolution here, which was accompanied by a detailed report drafted by MSJDN.
December 2012 saw the second state, Arizona, adopt a licensing rule specifically addressed the challenges faced by military spouse attorneys. Since then, other states have joined in the efforts to reduce barriers to employment for military spouses in the legal profession.
In the years since, MSJDN has seen more than 40 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands pass common sense license reciprocity rules for military spouse attorneys. Our efforts continue as we work to reach all 50 states. MSJDN has also begun to petition the nine states which passed license reciprocity for military spouses but included harmful supervision requirements which have rendered the rules unduly burdensome and ineffective in practice.
Email statelicensing@msjdn.org to learn how you and your organization can help support licensing accommodations for military spouse attorneys in your state!
September 23, 2022: Louisiana
MSJDN Efforts Successful in Louisiana
August 19, 2022: New Mexico
New Mexico Supreme Court Adopts Military Spouse Law License: MSJDN NM Rule Change Team Thanks Both the NM Legal and Military Communities
September 24, 2021: Iowa
Supreme Court of Iowa Adopts Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Policy
June 16, 2021: New Hampshire
New Hampshire Reduces Licensing Barriers for Military Spouse Attorneys
Oct. 15, 2020: Rhode Island
Rhode Island Supreme Court Adopts Military Spouse Admission Rule
Jan. 30, 2020: Alabama
Supreme Court of Alabama Adopts a Military Spouse Rule
Sept. 24, 2019: Delaware
Supreme Court of Delaware Reduces Barriers for Milspouse Attorneys
June 6, 2019: Washington
Supreme Court of Washington Orders Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Rule
March 7, 2019: Arkansas
Arkansas Adopts Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Rule
March 7, 2019: Utah
Utah Passes Military Spouse Law Licensing Accommodation
March 1, 2019: California
Military Spouse Attorney Admission Adopted in California
January 29, 2019: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Adopts Military Spouse Licensing Rule
October 1, 2018: Wyoming
Wyoming Enacts Military Spouse Law Licensing Accommodation
September 5, 2018: Missouri
Show Me State Shows Support for Military Families with Licensing Change
July 19, 2018: Florida
Florida Admissions Rule Supports Military Spouse Attorneys
March 21, 2018: Nevada
Nevada Becomes 30th Jurisdiction to Adopt Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Accommodation
March 14, 2018: Nebraska
Nebraska Amends Licensing Rules in Support of Military Spouse Attorneys
February 9, 2018: Hawai’i
Hawai’i Adopts New Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Rule
June 23, 2017: Connecticut
Connecticut Enacts Rule Reducing Barriers to Practice for Military Spouse Attorneys
June 5, 2017: Ohio
Ohio Becomes Milestone 25th State to Adopt Military Spouse Licensing
March 20, 2017: Alaska
Alaska Adopts Military Spouse Law Licensure Rule
January 4, 2017: Michigan
Michigan Enacts Military Spouse Law Licensing Rule Into State Law
October 25, 2016: West Virginia
West Virginia Becomes 23rd Jurisdiction to Adopt Military Spouse Law Licensing Rule
October 12, 2016: Georgia
Georgia Reduces Licensing Barriers for Military Spouse Attorneys
October 1, 2016: North Dakota
North Dakota Supreme Court Adopts Military Spouse Law Licensure Rule
September 2, 2016: Kansas
Kansas Becomes 20th Jurisdiction to Adopt Military Spouse Licensing Rule
April 20, 2016: South Carolina
MSJDN Efforts Succeed in South Carolina
March 1, 2016: Oregon
Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Rule Goes in to Effect in Oregon
December 22, 2015: Tennessee
Tennessee Supreme Court Approves Military Spouse Law Licensing
November 23, 2015: Kentucky
Kentucky Thanks Military Families with New Rule Easing Licensing Burden
September 17, 2015: Maryland
Maryland is 15th Jurisdiction to Adopt Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Accommodation
August 17, 2015: Indiana
New Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Rule Enacted in Indiana
April 29, 2015: U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands Adopt Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Rule
December 15, 2014: Oklahoma
Oklahoma Becomes 12th State to Adopt Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Policy
August 4, 2014: New York
11th State Adopts Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Policy
July 25, 2014: New Jersey
New Military Spouse Rule Adopted in New Jersey
June 24, 2014: Colorado
Colorado Becomes Ninth State to Support Military Spouse Attorneys with a Licensing Accommodation
June 12, 2014: Massachusetts
Massachusetts Becomes Second State to Voluntarily Enact Military Spouse Attorney Licensing Policy
May 18, 2014: Virginia
Virginia Adopts Military Spouse Rule, Joins Growing Number of States Supporting Military Spouse Attorneys
Sept. 12, 2013: South Dakota
South Dakota Becomes Sixth State to Adopt a Military Spouse Attorney Rule
June 18, 2013: Illinois
Illinois Becomes Fifth State to Support Military Spouses in the Legal Profession
April 12, 2013: North Carolina
MSJDN Reform Efforts Succeed in Fourth State
February, 2013: Texas
Texas Becomes First State to Initiate Recognition of Attorney Military Spouses and their Service
December 18, 2012: Arizona
Arizona Supreme Court Recognizes Service of Military Spouse Attorneys
April 18, 2012: Idaho
First State Approves Military Spouse Attorney Admission
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