# When a (US) Lawyer Moves to a Different State **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034 "2023-10-24T20:16:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/1 "2023-10-24T20:16:21Z")
What happens when a lawyer moves with his family from, say, California, to, say, Missouri (a sub-plot in a TV series I watch). Is it just a matter of taking and passing the MO bar? Is there a crash course for lawyers moving states (so they don’t have to effectively go to law school all over again)? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/2 "2023-10-24T20:25:35Z")
Many states have [reciprocity](https://www.clio.com/resources/bar-reciprocity/) with other states so a lawyer doesn’t need to pass the bar again. Otherwise you may need to take the exam a for a new state, such as CA which requires an exam for anyone to practice there. There are prep courses for taking the exam in a new state, and it’s not like going to law school all over again. If the lawyer in CA went to Iowa instead of Missouri, they wouldn’t need to take any exam. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/3 "2023-10-24T20:27:12Z")
> CHECK FOR STATES THAT OFFER RECIPROCITY > TAKE THE UNIFORM BAR > TAKE THE BAR EXAM FOR THE STATES YOU WANT TO WORK IN > **[How to Practice Law in a Different State](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/how-to-practice-law-different-state)** > > There are plenty of benefits to being a multi-state lawyer.  Besides the most obvious advantage which is expanding your client base, it can also be practical when you live near a border between two different states. So, if you find yourself... ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/4 "2023-10-24T20:44:16Z")
If the lawyer practices federal agency law (such as immigration), they can continue practicing without being admitted to the new state’s bar. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/5 "2023-10-24T21:45:16Z")
There has developed a uniform bar exam that is applicable to about 40 states right now. If you pass it, you can use your score in any accepting state. The state will still require a background check, however. But, if you are in good standing in another state, it will easily facilitate that background check. Basically, the background check will start from when you got admitted I the last state, whereas traditionally your background check goes back to the beginning of your life. I moved from Florida to Colorado, and had to be readmitted in Colorado. I had to retake the bar exam (The bigger states tend to eschew the uniform bar exam for something more specific to them, so Florida is not a participant), but the background check was a piece of cake. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/6 "2023-11-04T13:43:43Z")
The lawyer can also continue practicing in the original state. Most states require lawyers to maintain a physical office location or at least a mailbox, but there is typically no requirement for the lawyer to be physically present. With Zoom, the lawyer may not even have to show up for hearings nowadays. My (Florida) practice is completely remote except for trials, though as a matter of preference I usually work from my office. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/7 "2023-11-04T17:05:42Z")
My son-in-law has moved several times. Not all bar exams are equal, California is significantly harder than Indiana. Since my daughter is going to move again in the not so distant future he has entered the patent attorney bar (not sure that’s what they call it) which like other federal bars is good everywhere. Each state is different, so if the state is not one that uses the uniform exam you need to take a course to learn the peculiarities of that state’s laws. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-us-lawyer-moves-to-a-different-state/992034/8 "2023-11-04T17:46:59Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The lawyer can also continue practicing in the original state. Most states require lawyers to maintain a physical office location or at least a mailbox, but there is typically no requirement for the lawyer to be physically present That may be true in some states, but I don’t think it’s comment. I’m admitted five states and only have an office in one. You do, however, have to do a continuing education in every state. Most classes can be used anywhere, but some states have specific requirements that are a pain in the butt.