Illinois: lawyer (foreign-educated applicants under Supreme Court Rule 715) pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
Threshold: at least 5 years of licensure in the degree-conferring country or a US jurisdiction, and good standing.
“licensed to practice law in the country in which the law degree was conferred and/or in the highest court of law in any US state, territory, or the District of Columbia for a minimum of 5 years”
- Program approval or accreditation
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Additional education or training
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Examination requirements
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Supervised practice
Applicants must show at least 80 hours per month and 1,000 hours per year of practice in each of at least 5 of the 7 years before applying.
“During each of no fewer than 5 of the 7 years immediately prior to making application in Illinois, the lawyer must have verifiably devoted a minimum of 80 hours per month and 1,000 hours per year”
- Foreign qualification assessment
The Board judges whether the applicant's preliminary, college and legal education is acceptable, considering foreign jurisprudence, curriculum, school accreditation and later US study.
“the Board must ascertain whether the quality of your preliminary, college and legal education is acceptable for admission to the bar of Illinois”
- Residency or other restrictions
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Online study
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
Regulator: Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.