LAWYER LICENSURE GUIDE - FOR FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN MAINE - A New Mainers Resource Center Guide

Sep 27, 2026

Guide for foreign-trained lawyers in Maine explaining pathways to become a licensed attorney after training and licensure abroad. Covers the overall decision process, including credential and educational equivalence review, applying through LSAC for JD or LL.M. programs, and eligibility steps tied to licensing history and practice duration. Includes instructions for educational equivalence, bar examination preparation, timing and prerequisites, and options when additional U.S. and Maine law coursework is required.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS

Other Jobs in the Legal Field

Applying for Educational Equivalence

Applying to the Bar by Exam

Pursuing a Degree or Coursework

Taking the Bar Exam

LAWYER LICENSURE GUIDE FOR FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN MAINE New Mainers Resource Center, Portland Adult Education New Mainers Resource Center [www.nmrcmaine.org](www.nmrcmaine.org) LAWYER LICENSURE GUIDE FOR FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN MAINE Support for this project was provided by the Betterment Fund Prepared by: Dani M. Scherer M. Ed. October 2018 New Mainers Resource Center – Who We Are The New Mainers Resource Center (NMRC) is a program within Portland Adult Education serving area immigrants and refugees. Our offerings are designed to help New Mainers overcome barriers in order to enter the US workforce. These include: career guidance and employment case management, assistance with credential review and licensing requirements, intensive classes focused on job readiness skills, networking groups, workshops and other offerings. The Purpose of this Guide One major challenge faced by skilled professionals, such as lawyers, is to successfully navigate complex certification requirements if they want to practice as lawyers in Maine. The purpose of this guide is to provide foreign-trained lawyers with the information they need to make informed decisions about becoming re-licensed or pursuing other jobs in the legal field in Maine. For additional information or assistance from the New Mainers Resource Center contact: New Mainers Resource Center, Maine’s Welcome Back Center, Portland Adult Education 14 Locust St. Portland, Maine 04101 Phone: 207 874-8155, [Website: ](Website: www. nmrcmaine.org)[www. nmrcmaine.org](Website: www. nmrcmaine.org), Email: Sally Sutton, Program Coordinator, [suttos@portlandschools.org](suttos@portlandschools.org). New Mainers Resource Center [www.nmrcmaine.org](www.nmrcmaine.org) LAWYER LICENSURE GUIDE FOR FOREIGN-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN MAINE Table of Contents OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS_____________PAGE 1 OTHER JOBS IN THE LEGAL FIELD__________PAGE 2 APPLYING FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUIVALENCE_________PAGE 4 APPLYING TO THE BAR BY EXAM_______PAGE 5 PURSUING A DEGREE OR COURSEWORK 6 TAKING THE BAR EXAM__________PAGE 7 New Mainers Resource Center [www.nmrcmaine.org](www.nmrcmaine.org) OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS If you are a lawyer who is trained and licensed in another country, review the process below to understand what you will need to do to be able to become a licensed lawyer in Maine. | Did you complete law school, receive a law license AND practice law for three or more years in another country? | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |
Yes
| | | | | No or I’m not sure
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | If you have a law degree, start an application with LSAC and have your official transcripts reviewed to see if you meet the pre-requisites to apply for a JD (Juris Doctor Law degree) or LL. M. program (Masters of Law) . An LL. M. will not on its own qualify you to practice law. Check with the Board or Admissions about your goals. | | | | | | | | | Apply to the Maine Board of Bar Examiners to see if your law degree is substantially equivalent to a U.S. law degree, using the ‘advanced determination of equivalency of foreign legal education’ form. Your law school will need to send official transcripts. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Was your education found to be equivalent? | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

I am
pursuing an LL.M. or JD degree

No, I need to take courses in U.S. and Maine law (this is
the norm).

Do you have the time, money, English proficiency scores, LSAT scores and other required pre-requisites to apply to a JD or LLM program? | | | | | | | | | | |
Yes
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | If your law degree was found to be equivalent AND you have been licensed to practice law in another country AND have pra

FAQs

If I was trained and licensed as a lawyer in another country, what is the first step to becoming licensed in Maine?

Review the process to understand required credential and eligibility steps. Determine whether your legal education is substantially equivalent to a U.S. law degree before moving to the next stage.

How do educational equivalence and transcripts affect my eligibility?

Apply to the Maine Board of Bar Examiners for a determination of advanced equivalency, and have your law school send official transcripts. Your ability to pursue JD/LL.M. options and later bar eligibility depends on the equivalence result.

Can an LL.M. alone qualify me to practice law in Maine?

No. The guide states that an LL.M. by itself will not qualify you to practice law, so you must align your goals with the Board or Admissions.

Sep 27, 2026

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