It may not be an easier path to a law license, but it does provide a way to skip the dreaded bar exam.
Aspiring lawyers who have graduated from law school now have a way around the traditional bar exam to become licensed attorneys. The Utah Supreme Court has approved Rule 14-703A — dubbed the “Alternate Pathway to Attorney Licensure” — which sets new skills-based standards for becoming practice-eligible. Leaders of the Utah State Bar, who will administer the new program that will start next year, calls it “groundbreaking.”
The Bar Admissions Working Group, established by the Utah Supreme Court, was tasked with exploring alternatives to the traditional bar exam for assessing competence to practice law in Utah.“In response to growing national and local calls for a licensure model that better reflects real-world skills, reduces economic barriers and supports workforce readiness, the group developed an alternate pathway to admission,” according to the Utah State Bar. The working group consists of 15 members representing a cross-section of Utah’s legal community, including judges, practitioners and academics.
“We are pleased to offer an alternate path for licensure,” said Utah State Bar Executive Director Elizabeth Wright. “We were keenly aware that one size doesn’t fit all, and providing an option equips those who excel outside of a traditional exam with practical skills for a successful career in the legal profession.”
The new license pathway requires 240 hours of supervised legal practice under a licensed attorney, law school coursework for required skills, and successfully passing a written performance exam administered by the Utah State Bar. Applications for the skills-based licensure model open Jan. 1.
The Utah Bar said the new licensure method is backed by growing empirical research indicating that skills-based assessments are more effective at predicting future success in legal practice than standardized tests alone. Jurisdictions exploring similar models have reported that practice-based pathways produce attorneys who are more confident, better prepared and client-focused from Day 1. States like Oregon and Washington have already implemented similar alternatives, and multiple other states are exploring like approaches to licensure.
The bar also said the alternate pathway does not lower licensure standards. Instead, it modifies the way competence is demonstrated, “preserving rigor while enhancing relevance.” The combined hands-on training and coursework exceed many traditional prep timelines, offering deeper engagement with real legal work.
“This is not about making it easier to become a lawyer,” said John A. Pearce, Utah Supreme Court associate chief justice and working group chair. “It’s about making it smarter. This option gives graduates a financially viable way to begin practicing law without months of unpaid studying and the potential of thousands of dollars in prep costs. The Utah Supreme Court is convinced that this path will produce attorneys who are better prepared to immediately practice law.”
The alternate pathway does not replace the Uniform Bar Exam or the forthcoming NextGen Bar Exam, a more holistic real-world exam which Utah will administer beginning in July 2028. Rather, it offers choices so candidates can pursue the pathway that best aligns with their learning style, financial situation and
career goals.
During the public comment period in late 2024, the judiciary received 103 submissions. Many praised the pathway’s emphasis on real-world legal service, which enhances public protection and access to justice.
“As more jurisdictions evaluate licensure reform, Utah is positioned at the forefront of this national conversation,” the Utah Bar said in a statement. “While some states still tie admission by reciprocity to bar exam passage, others accept years of practice in lieu. With this alternate pathway, Utah graduates can start gaining that experience immediately, positioning them for broader opportunities in the years ahead.”