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The Utah Supreme Court is considering a new rule that would create an alternative pathway to licensure for individuals seeking to practice law in Utah. This proposed rule aims to provide additional flexibility in how aspiring attorneys can demonstrate the competency necessary to be admitted to the Utah State Bar.
The rule comes after years of work by a Task Force, created shortly after the Court allowed a one-time path to licensure through diploma privilege in 2020 as a result of the COVID pandemic, who looked at the feasibility of assessing law graduates without a bar exam.
The proposed rule, Rule 14-703A, would allow candidates to pursue a “skills-based” route to licensure, providing an option outside of the traditional bar exam pathway. Under this approach, candidates could qualify for licensure by completing a combination of supervised practice, specific law school courses, and a performance evaluation—requirements designed to ensure that applicants have the competency and skills to practice law effectively. The rule requires the candidate to complete a set number of hours of supervised practice, some of which must be client-facing. Pro bono hours and a well-being component round out the proposal.
While the proposal is still under consideration, we encourage all members to review the full rule and provide feedback during the public comment period, which will be open until December 19, 2024. Your input will be valuable as we continue to shape the future of legal licensure in Utah.
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