Colorado: lawyer (attorney admission) pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
A foreign LL.B., J.D. or equivalent degree can support eligibility to sit the Colorado bar exam or transfer a UBE score only if the applicant meets one of three stated pathways (A, B, C).
“An applicant who receives an LL.B., J.D., or equivalent degree from a school of higher education in a nation other than the United States may be eligible to sit for the Colorado bar exam or transfer a Uniform Bar Exam score provided that such applicant meets all of the requirements of at least one of the following three eligibility categories:”
- Program approval or accreditation
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Additional education or training
Foreign graduates on Paths B and C must also have completed a qualifying LL.M. at an ABA-accredited US law school, with a minimum of 24 semester hours among other stated curricular conditions.
“the program must consist of minimum of 24 semester hours of credit”
- Examination requirements
Supervised-admission applicants must still meet the usual admission requirements including the MPRE and the Mandatory Professionalism Course; Colorado also accepts UBE score transfer applications.
“Meet all other requirements for admission to practice law in Colorado, including passing the MPRE, completing the Mandatory Professionalism Course, and meeting character and fitness requirements.”
- Supervised practice
A pilot program (rule effective 12 Oct 2026, sunsets 1 July 2029 unless extended) lets applicants who passed the UBE at another jurisdiction's standard but below Colorado's work under supervision of a Colorado attorney for at least two years at a public defender, district attorney or Colorado Legal Services.
“Secure qualifying employment and commit to practice under the supervision of a Colorado attorney for a minimum of two years”
- Foreign qualification assessment
Path A requires a foreign law course based on English common law, authorisation to practise, and at least three of the last five years of lawful practice; Paths B and C require a US LL.M.
“has been actively and substantially engaged in the lawful practice of law for at least three of the last five years as defined by C.R.C.P. 203.2 immediately preceding the applicant's most recent application.”
- Residency or other restrictions
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Online study
For foreign graduates, a J.D. or equivalent earned primarily online or by distance learning that does not meet ABA distance-learning requirements does not satisfy the rule; LL.M. degrees completed entirely online are not considered.
“LLM degrees completed entirely online will not be considered for eligibility purposes.”
Regulator: Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel - Office of Attorney and LLP Admissions · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.