Get Licensed To Practise Law In Tennessee

Aspiring lawyers in Tennessee must pass the bar exam or gain admittance by comity (i.e. reciprocity) to practise law in the state. The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners is responsible for administering the bar exam and reviewing applications for admittance by comity.

To be eligible to take the bar exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:

- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college.

- Have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school or one of the state's approved law schools.

- Have passed the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).

Once candidates have passed the bar exam, they must complete several steps to receive their law license, including registering with the Board of Professional Responsibility and taking the Oath of Admission.

Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

To become licensed to practise law in Tennessee, you must pass the bar exam or be admitted by comity (i.e. reciprocity). Before you can take the bar exam, you will need to attend law school. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required by most law schools as part of the admission process. Here is some information about the LSAT:

The LSAT

The LSAT is a standardised test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for prospective law school candidates. It is designed to assess reading comprehension and logical reasoning. The test is an integral part of the law school admission process in the United States, Canada (common law programs only), the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a growing number of other countries.

The test is multiple-choice and digital, and it is offered seven times a year. It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. The LSAT is 2 hours and 30 minutes long and consists of 99–102 multiple-choice questions. The LSAT is designed so that the average test-taker should not be able to answer all the questions in the time allotted. The LSAT is scored on a scale of 120 to 180 points. Raw scores on the exam are transformed into scaled scores, with a median score typically around 150.

How to Prepare for the LSAT

The LSAT is a standardised test in that the LSAC adjusts raw scores to fit an expected norm to overcome the likelihood that some administrations may be more difficult than others. The LSAC recommends advance preparation for the LSAT due to its importance in law school admissions and because scores on the exam typically correspond to preparation time. The structure of the LSAT and the types of questions asked are generally consistent from year to year, which allows students to practice on question types that frequently appear in examinations. The LSAC offers one free test that can be downloaded from their website. For best results, the LSAC suggests taking practice tests under actual time constraints and representative conditions in order to identify problem areas to focus on in further review.

LSAT Format Changes

Starting with the August 2024 test, the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT will consist of two scored Logical Reasoning sections and one scored Reading Comprehension section, plus one unscored variable section. The LSAT used to contain an analytical reasoning section, commonly referred to as logic games, but this was removed following a 2019 legal settlement.

Pass the Tennessee State Bar Exam

Passing the Tennessee State Bar Exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed lawyer in Tennessee. Here is a detailed guide on what you need to do to pass this exam successfully:

Understand the Exam Format:

The Tennessee State Bar Exam, also known as the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), consists of multiple components: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The MBE is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice exam. The MEE consists of six 30-minute essay questions, and the MPT includes two 90-minute skills-based exams.

Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Subjects:

The subjects covered in the UBE include business associations, criminal law and procedure, remedies and restitution, legal analysis and reasoning, and recognising and resolving ethical dilemmas. Ensure you thoroughly understand these areas before the exam.

Create a Study Plan:

Develop a structured study schedule that covers all the exam topics. Utilise reputable study resources, such as those offered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, Barbri, BarMax, and baroutlines.

Practice, Practice, Practice:

Familiarise yourself with the exam format and question types by practising with official practice questions and taking simulated exams. The more you expose yourself to exam-like conditions, the more confident and prepared you will feel on exam day.

Manage Your Time Effectively:

The Tennessee State Bar Exam is a two-day exam, so it's crucial to manage your time wisely. Practise allocating your time effectively for each section to ensure you have sufficient time to answer all the questions.

Take Care of Yourself:

Don't forget to take care of your well-being during your preparation. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Taking breaks and giving your brain time to rest will help you stay focused and energised.

Stay Positive and Confident:

Believe in yourself and your abilities. Stay positive and maintain a growth mindset throughout your preparation. Remember that a positive mindset can significantly impact your performance on exam day.

By following these steps and committing to consistent and dedicated preparation, you will be well on your way to passing the Tennessee State Bar Exam and achieving your goal of becoming a licensed lawyer in Tennessee.

Register with the Board of Professional Responsibility

Registering with the Board of Professional Responsibility is a crucial step in obtaining a license to practice law in Tennessee. Here is a detailed guide on what you need to do:

Step 1: Receive the "Welcome Email"

Within five business days of receiving a letter from the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (TBLE) approving you for licensing and admission, you will receive a "Welcome Email" from the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). This email will contain important information, including login credentials and instructions for online registration, payment, and enrollment for the Admissions Ceremony (if applicable). Make sure to check your spam/junk mail folders and add tbpr.org to your trusted senders list.

Step 2: Complete Your Registration with BPR

It is essential to promptly complete your registration with the BPR, as it triggers the next steps in the process. The BPR will issue your Certificate of Eligibility, which is valid for 90 days and can be extended once within a two-year validity period upon a showing of good cause. The registration process can be completed through the BPR's online portal, where you will log in using the credentials provided in the "Welcome Email." During this step, you will also pay the required fees, which total $250. This fee covers the cost of registration with the three judicial agencies: $150 for the Board of Law Examiners, $50 for the Board of Professional Responsibility, and $50 for the Appellate Court Clerk.

Step 3: Receive Your Certificate of Eligibility

Once you have completed your registration with the BPR, the Board of Law Examiners will issue your Certificate of Eligibility. This typically happens within five business days of completing Step 2. This certificate is a crucial document and is required for the next steps in obtaining your license to practice law in Tennessee.

Step 4: Take the Oath of Admission

To practice law in Tennessee, you must be admitted to practice before the Tennessee Supreme Court. You have two options to comply with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 6:

• Appear in open court: You can appear in open court before the Tennessee Supreme Court at one of the Admission Ceremonies. These ceremonies are conducted by the Supreme Court Justices, and applicants are expected to dress appropriately and arrive at least 30 minutes early. You may bring guests, and if you wish to be introduced by a sponsor (such as a parent who is a licensed attorney in Tennessee), you must provide that information during your registration.
• Written application: Alternatively, you can take the oath before one of the judicial officials listed in Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 6, Paragraph 5, by completing and returning the Application by Affidavit for Admission.

Step 5: Receive Your Permanent License

Once you have taken the Oath of Admission, you are authorized to practice law in Tennessee. You will receive your permanent license from the Board of Law Examiners within 30 days of taking the oath. Congratulations! You have completed the necessary steps for registration with the Board of Professional Responsibility and are now a licensed attorney in Tennessee.

Take the Oath of Admission

To become licensed to practise law in Tennessee, you must take the Oath of Admission, also known as the Oath of Admission to the Bar. This is a required step in the process and must be completed within 90 days of the date of issuance of your Temporary Law Certificate.

The Oath of Admission can be taken in two ways. The first is during a scheduled group swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court. These ceremonies are conducted by the Supreme Court Justices and occur twice a year, in early summer and late fall. Applicants are expected to dress appropriately for court and arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins to sign in and be seated. You may bring guests to the ceremony.

The second option is to take the oath via Affidavit by making an appointment with an authorised judicial official. The Affidavit for Admission can be found on the Supreme Court's website. Once you have taken the oath before a judicial official, you must submit the completed form to one of the three Appellate Court Clerk's Offices. Their addresses are:

• Middle Division – MaryBeth Lindsey, Chief Deputy Clerk, Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219-1407, (615) 741-2681
• Eastern Division – Joanne Newsome, Chief Deputy Clerk, Supreme Court Building, P.O. Box 444, Knoxville, TN 37901, (865) 594-6700
• Western Division – Nancy Acred, Chief Deputy Clerk, Supreme Court Building, P.O. Box 909, Jackson, TN 38302-0909, (731) 423-5840

The Oath of Admission itself reads as follows:

> I, [name], do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. In the practice of my profession, I will conduct myself with honesty, fairness, integrity, and civility to the best of my skill and abilities, so help me God.

This oath may be administered by a number of judicial officials in Tennessee, including:

• A Justice of the Supreme Court
• A Judge of the Court of Appeals
• A Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals
• A Circuit Court Judge
• A Chancellor
• A Criminal Court Judge
• A General Sessions Court Judge
• A Judge of any other inferior court established by the General Assembly pursuant to Article VI, Section 1 of the Tennessee Constitution
• The Clerk of the Appellate Courts
• A Chief Deputy Clerk of the Appellate Courts
• The Clerk (not including deputy clerks) of any of the courts of such trial judges listed above

Complete the Tennessee Law Course

The Tennessee Law Course (TLC) is a mandatory online course that takes approximately 7.5 hours to complete. It is one of several requirements that must be completed before being approved for licensing and admission to practice law in Tennessee. The course covers Tennessee-specific law and ensures new lawyers are knowledgeable about both general law and Tennessee law.

To access the TLC, applicants must complete the TLC registration application in Synergy and pay a fee of $15. Payment can be made online or by mailing a check or money order to the BLE office at 511 Union Street, Suite 525, Nashville, TN 37219. Within 5 business days of submitting payment, applicants will receive login details to access the TLC.

The TLC covers a range of topics, including Professional Responsibility, Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Torts, Property, Tennessee Court Rules, Business Organizations, Wills, Estates, Trusts, and Family Law. The course content will be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure it remains current and relevant.

It is recommended that applicants use the same device for the entire course, and it works best on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. While the course does not have to be completed in one session, it is designed to be completed within a reasonable timeframe.

Frequently asked questions