Admission on Motion
To be eligible for admission on motion in Alaska, the applicant must have engaged in the active practice of law in one or more states, territories, or D.C. for three of the five years immediately preceding the date of application. The applicant must also have passed the MPRE and meet other admission requirements.
For details, please see:
Alaska Bar Rule 2, Section 2 (Section 2 outlines eligibility requirements for admission on motion applicants)
Processing Time:
All applicants are subject to a determination of character and fitness. This can take at least 3-4 months, depending on each individual application. There may be a delay if the applicant does not submit their fingerprint card and Authorization and Release form in a timely manner. There is no way for us to expedite this process as we treat all applications with priority. We will not begin processing applications until the online application and fee has been submitted.
Please review the application checklist for information on the required documents. Once the character investigation is complete and all documents have been received, applications must go before the Board of Governors for approval. The Board meeting dates are available here. While meetings are open to the public, applicants will only be discussed during Executive Session. The soonest you will be notified if your application is approved for admission is by email.
You must respond completely and provide all relevant details and documents for each and every question on the application. If the question asks you to provide names, dates, numbers, details, or documents, you must provide them. If no response is given or insufficient information is provided in response to any question, your application may be delayed or denied.
You must update your application if anything occurs after submission that would change or alter any of your answers to the questions on the application. Your application must be kept current to the date of admission.
Application Checklist
1. Application for admission on motion.
2. Application fee of $1,500
3. Authorization & Release Form (must be notarized)
4. Photo Submission Form - must include TWO passport sized (2x2) photos; must be mailed to Bar
5. Fingerprint card (instructions) - ONE properly executed Standard Applicant Fingerprint Card; must be mailed to Bar
6. Provide a copy of either an IRS Form I-9, a government-issued ID, or a government-issued driver’s license. This change is effective October 1, 2025, for all new applications.
7. Provide at least three affidavits from employers, clients, associates, attorneys or judges showing that, taken together, establish that you engaged in the "active practice of law" (as defined in Alaska Bar Rule 2, Section 2(c)) for at least 750 hours per year for three of the five years immediately before your application to the Alaska Bar. The affidavits are a distinct form, and are in addition to, the employment and personal references in the application. There is no form that we provide. The five-year period is measured on a rolling basis from the date of application, not by calendar year.
The affidavits must:
- Be notarized
- Identify the affiant's position and how they know your work; and
- Describe the legal work performed and provide enough detail for the Alaska Bar to determine the amount of qualifying work. For example, approximate hours worked per year, or whether your work was full-time during the period the affiant can personally verify.
No single affidavit must cover the entire three-of-five-year period; the affidavits collectively must demonstrate that you meet the 750-hour-per-year standard for at least three of the five years. Supplemental affidavits may be submitted if needed to establish the minimum practice requirement.
See the Admission FAQs for additional information.
It is YOUR responsibility to arrange to have the following items sent directly to the Alaska Bar Association from each respective authority. You cannot have them sent to you and then submit them to our office.
Request the following to be sent directly to the Alaska Bar Association from the authority:
1. Certificate of graduation from law school: The Certificate of Graduation is an original letter, on school letterhead, verifying your degree and the date received. If the school uses a seal, it will also include the school seal. Most law schools are familiar with this document, but if they have questions, please have them contact our office and ask for admissions.
2. Certificate of Good Standing from each state or D.C., to which you have been admitted; must have been issued within the previous three months.
3. Discipline history from each State Bar to which you are admitted; must have been issued within the previous three months.
4. MPRE score of 80 or higher from NCBE at an exam taken not more than eight years prior to your application for admission. The score can be submitted any time prior to admission.
Supplemental Application Materials
1. Applicants with a military history must submit a Standard Form 180
2. Resident aliens must submit with their application an appropriate affidavit specifying sufficient facts to enable the Alaska Bar to verify his or her status with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.
The affidavit should contain the following:
- A statement that the individual is swearing under oath to the truthfulness of the information contained in the affidavit and any attachments.
- The information being sworn to
- Signature
- And an attestation of a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths.
Withdrawals and Refunds:
An administrative fee of $300 will be withheld if the application is denied on the basis of character, or if the applicant withdraws the application after the character investigation is commenced.
An administrative fee of $50 will be withheld if the application is denied because the applicant fails to demonstrate eligibility for admission by motion, or if the applicant withdraws the application before the character investigation is commenced.