All Announcements
Prorated Dues & Pro Hac Vice Transaction Fees
The Board voted at its May 2–3, 2024 meeting to begin charging a 3% transaction fee on all credit card payments. This change could not take effect until our payment systems were updated to process that fee. That update has now been completed, and transaction fees began being charged on December 9, 2025.
Admission application fees are not affected by the transaction fee at this time. An announcement will be posted when our payment systems have been updated to charge a 3% transaction fee on admission applications.
New General Application Requirement
The Alaska Bar Association now requires additional applicant verification as a general application requirement. All applicants will be required to 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.
Board of Governors Meeting Dates
Upcoming meeting dates for the Board of Governors:
January 22 & 23, 2026
April 28 & 29, 2026
June 11, 2026
August 27 & 28, 2026
October 26 & 27, 2026
Once the character investigation is complete and all documents have been received, your application will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting. 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.
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 is no way for us to expedite this process as we treat all applications with priority.
Admission on Motion and Waiver Updates
Following a request from the Board of Governors, the Supreme Court signed SCO 2031 amending Bar Rules 2, 3, 43, 43.1, 43.3, 43.4, and 44 concerning admission and practice waiver requirements. In addition to some minor changes, this order amended the Bar Rules to:
- eliminate the requirement of a written bar exam passage from admission on motion;
- reduce the years of practice required for admission on motion to 3 out of 5 years;
- eliminate reciprocity requirement and expand admission on motion to any state, territory, or the District of Columbia; and
- eliminate the failure of a bar exam as a reason to deny admission on motion or revoke a practice waiver.
This Bar Rule goes into effect on November 18, 2024.
Supreme Court Announces Intent to Adopt Next Generation Bar Exam
Following a request from the Board of Governors, the Supreme Court will be assisting with a working group to adopt the NextGen Bar Exam. The intent is to begin score transfers by July 2026 and to administer the exam July 2028.