Massachusetts: lawyer (attorney admission) pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
Petitioners must have completed work acceptable for a bachelor's degree (or an equivalent education in the Board's opinion) and hold a LL.B. or J.D.
“Each petitioner shall have completed the work acceptable for a bachelor's degree in a college or university, or have received an equivalent education in the opinion of the Board of Bar Examiners.”
- Program approval or accreditation
For graduates of US law schools, the law degree must come from a school ABA-approved at graduation or authorized by Massachusetts statute to grant the degree.
“Each petitioner shall have graduated with a degree of bachelor of laws or juris doctor from a law school which, at the time of graduation, is approved by the American Bar Association or is authorized by statute of the Commonwealth to grant the degree of bachelor of laws or juris doctor.”
- Additional education or training
For foreign law graduates the Board may, at its discretion, require further legal studies at an ABA-approved law school as a condition of permission to petition.
“the Board of Bar Examiners in its discretion may, as a condition to such permission, require such petitioners to take such further legal studies as the Board of Bar Examiners may designate at a law school approved by the American Bar Association.”
- Examination requirements
Admission by examination uses the Uniform Bar Exam; a total scaled score of 270 or more passes. A separate Massachusetts Law Component exam is also required.
“If, after the initial grading, an examinee achieves a Total Scaled Score of 270 or greater, the examinee passes the exam.”
- Supervised practice
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Foreign qualification assessment
Graduates of foreign law schools must obtain a determination of educational sufficiency from the Board before filing a petition; the process takes at least four months from receipt of complete documents.
“Graduates of foreign law schools must seek an advanced determination of their educational sufficiency from the Board of Bar Examiners prior to filing a Petition for Admission.”
- 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: Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners (with the SJC Clerk's Office for the County of Suffolk) · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.