15-301- Examination method - description - application deadlines - qualifications

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious

Rule 15-301 defines an examination method for applicants seeking a professional license after completing all requirements, including a passing score on the bar examination. It sets application deadlines for February and July examinations, specifies late fees and final submission dates, and explains eligibility requirements under related rules. The rule also covers character and fitness determinations, issuance procedure, fees and costs, ongoing obligations, limitations, expiration, suspension, and revocation, with the board extending exam-result validity for good cause.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

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Pages3

Reading Time8 min

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15-301. Examination method

A. Description

B. Application deadlines

C. Qualifications

D. Character and fitness

E. Procedure for issuance

F. Fees and costs

G. Specific ongoing requirements

H. Limitations

I. Expiration

J. Suspension of license

K. Revocation

1 15-301. Examination method. 2 A. Description. As further specified in this rule, a qualified applicant may apply for a 3 license to be issued on the applicant’s satisfactory completion of all requirements for this method 4 of licensure, including receipt of a passing score on the bar examination. Recent law school 5 graduates typically select this method of licensure, although the method of licensure described in 6 this rule may be sought by any qualified applicant. 7 B. Application deadlines. A complete application for a license under this rule, along 8 with required fees, must be submitted to the board on or before the deadlines specified below. 9 Applications for the February examination will open on September 1st of each year. Applications 10 for the July examination will open on February 1st of each year. An application submitted after 11 the pertinent filing deadline will be rejected. 12 (1) Applications filed after November 1st for the February examination shall 13 incur a late fee; 14 (2) The final deadline to submit an application for the February examination 15 shall be ~~January 1st~~ December 15th of the previous year ; 16 (3) Applications filed after May 1st for the July examination shall incur a late 17 fee; 18 (4) The final deadline to submit an application for the July examination shall 19 be ~~June 1st~~ May 15th of the same year. 20 C. Qualifications. An applicant for license under this rule shall provide proof that the 21 applicant meets the qualifications set forth in Rule 15-202 NMRA, and must pass all examinations 22 described in Rule 15-501(A) NMRA. 1 D. Character and fitness. The board shall make a determination about the character 2 and fitness of an applicant as set forth in Rule 15-205 NMRA for any applicant who has submitted 3 an application for a license under this rule. An applicant shall pay any fees and costs associated 4 with a character and fitness hearing. 5 E. Procedure for issuance. On the board’s receipt from an applicant of (a) a 6 completed application for a license under this rule, (b) the required fees and costs, and (c) 7 documents required by Paragraph C, then 8 (1) the board shall evaluate the applicant’s character and fitness as described 9 in Rule 15-205 NMRA; 10 (2) the applicant may take examinations described in Article 5 of these rules, 11 even if a character and fitness evaluation is not yet complete; and 12 (3) on the board’s determination the applicant is qualified and possesses the 13 requisite character and fitness, and that the applicant has passed the MPRE, and the applicant has 14 passed the examination of the minimum competence to practice law within two (2) years of 15 completing all requirements under these rules, the board shall follow the requirements of Rule 15- 16 207(A) NMRA for recommending issuance of a license to the applicant, and the applicant shall 17 comply with the requirements of Rule 15-207(B) NMRA. The board may extend the expiration of 18 examination results on showing of good cause. 19 F. Fees and costs. The following fees and costs must be paid by the applicant on 20 submission of the application for a license under this rule, and shall not offset fees and costs 21 required to apply for another method of licensure: 22 (1) Application fee. An application fee according to a published schedule of 23 application fees promulgated by the board and approved by the Supreme Court; 1 (2) Investigation costs. Investigation costs according to the schedule of pass- 2 through costs promulgated by the board as described in Rule 15-204(B) NMRA; and 3 (3) Late fee. When applicable as set forth in Paragraph B of this rule, a late fee 4 of five hundred dollars ($500 .00) . 5 G. Specific ongoing requirements. An applicant approved for a license under this 6 rule shall comply with the requirements of Rule 15-206 NMRA and Rule 15-207 NMRA. 7 H. Limitations. A person practicing law und

FAQs

What are the key requirements for a qualified applicant under Rule 15-301?

The applicant must complete all requirements for the method, including receiving a passing score on the bar examination. Eligible applicants may be any qualified applicant, though recent law graduates typically choose this method.

When do applications open and what are the relevant filing deadlines for February and July examinations?

February applications open on September 1 each year, and late fees apply for applications filed after November 1; the final deadline is December 15 of the previous year. July applications open on February 1 each year, and late fees apply for applications filed after May 1; the final deadline is May 15 of the same year.

How does the board proceed with issuance once the application and required materials are received?

After receiving a completed application, required fees/costs, and documents required by Paragraph C, the board evaluates character and fitness under Rule 15-205 NMRA. If the board determines the applicant is qualified and has passed the MPRE and the minimum competence exam within two years, it recommends issuance and the applicant must comply with Rule 15-207(B) NMRA; exam results may be extended for good cause.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious