Utah has joined the rising motion to rethink lawyer licensure in america, because the Utah Supreme Court docket accredited Rule 14-703A, establishing an alternate pathway to changing into a licensed lawyer that emphasizes hands-on authorized coaching over conventional standardized testing.
The new route, accredited Sept. 24 and which will probably be open to functions beginning Jan. 1, 2026, represents a big shift in how the state evaluates readiness to observe legislation. Quite than requiring passage of the bar examination, candidates can display competency by way of a mix of supervised sensible expertise, specialised coursework, and a written efficiency evaluation.
The talents-based mannequin facilities on three core parts:
- Sensible coaching: 240 hours of supervised authorized observe underneath a certified lawyer, giving graduates direct publicity to actual shopper work and authorized procedures.
- Tutorial basis: Completion of required expertise coursework throughout legislation college, making certain candidates have coated important competencies in an academic setting.
- Efficiency evaluation: A written examination administered by the Utah State Bar that evaluates sensible software of authorized data.
In accordance with the Utah State Bar, this mixture truly exceeds many conventional bar prep timelines when it comes to time funding, whereas providing what it describes as “deeper engagement with actual authorized work.”
Addresses Obstacles to Admission
One of many pathway’s key promoting factors is its potential to cut back monetary boundaries to getting into the career. Affiliate Chief Justice John A. Pearce, who chaired the Bar Admissions Working Group that developed the choice, mentioned that the choice isn’t about making it simpler to grow to be a lawyer.
“This feature provides graduates a financially viable solution to start practising legislation with out months of unpaid learning and the potential of 1000’s of {dollars} in prep prices,” he mentioned. “The Utah Supreme Court docket is satisfied that this path will produce attorneys who’re higher ready to instantly observe legislation.”
The method displays rising analysis on authorized competency evaluation, the bar mentioned in a press release. It cites empirical research suggesting that skills-based evaluations could also be simpler than standardized checks alone in predicting future success in authorized observe.
Utah State Bar Government Director Elizabeth Wright framed the change as recognition that “one dimension doesn’t match all,” noting that the choice serves “those that excel outdoors of a conventional examination” by equipping them with sensible expertise from the outset.
The alternate pathway will function alongside, not substitute, current choices. Utah will proceed to supply the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) and plans to undertake the NextGen Bar Examination when it launches in July 2028. This multi-pathway method permits candidates to decide on the route that most closely fits their studying type, monetary circumstances, and profession goals.
Nationwide Context
Utah’s transfer positions the state inside a broader nationwide dialog about licensure reform. A number of jurisdictions are evaluating related adjustments, with some already implementing practice-based pathways.
In accordance with my fast analysis this morning, 4 states already permit some type of skills-based bar admission, whether or not in pilot or everlasting type: New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.
One other 5 states have pilots underway or in improvement: Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nevada and South Dakota.
In Utah, the general public remark interval on the proposed change in late 2024 drew 103 submissions, with many commenters praising the pathway’s deal with real-world authorized service and its potential to reinforce each public safety and entry to justice.
The 15-member Bar Admissions Working Group that developed the pathway included judges, practitioners, and lecturers, reflecting a cross-section of Utah’s authorized group.
Their work acknowledges what many in authorized innovation have lengthy argued: that the talents required for efficient authorized observe might not be totally captured by a high-stakes written examination.
