Washington: lawyer (attorney admission) pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
A foreign law degree must qualify the holder to practise as a lawyer in that jurisdiction.
“with a degree in law that would qualify the applicant to practice law as a lawyer or the equivalent in that jurisdiction”
- Program approval or accreditation
A JD from a law school approved by the Board of Governors qualifies an applicant to sit for the lawyer bar examination.
“graduation with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school approved by the Board of Governors”
- Additional education or training
Foreign-educated applicants need an LL.M. for the practice of law (18,200 minutes of instruction, 12,000 on US law, with core subject minimums), or supplemental coursework to reach that total.
“a minimum of 18,200 minutes of total instruction to include at least 12,000 minutes of instruction on principles of domestic United States law”
- Examination requirements
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Supervised practice
Completion of the APR 6 Law Clerk Program is a route to the lawyer bar exam.
“completed the Washington Supreme Court APR 6 Law Clerk Program”
- Foreign qualification assessment
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- 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: Washington State Bar Association (Admissions) under Washington Supreme Court APR 3 · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.