Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in the State of North Carolina - Chapter 03 - Section .0100 Organization

Sep 21, 2026

Rules in this chapter define key terms and establish organizational and procedural requirements for admission to the practice of law in North Carolina. It explains references to rules, boards, the executive director, filing standards, and definitions such as “Uniform Bar Examination” and related examination terminology. The chapter also sets purposes, board membership structure, compliance requirements, applicant classifications, publication of lists, hearing expectations, and conditions affecting whether fees and applications satisfy filing prerequisites.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages62

Reading Time2 h 36 min

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27 NCAC 03 .0100 Organization

27 NCAC 03 .0101 Definitions

27 NCAC 03 .0102 Website

27 NCAC 03 .0103 Purpose

27 NCAC 03 .0104 Membership

SECTION .0200-GENERAL PROVISIONS

27 NCAC 03 .0201 Compliance

27 NCAC 03 .0202 Applicants

27 NCAC 03 .0203 List

27 NCAC 03 .0204 Hearings

27 NCAC 03 .0205 Nonpayment of Fees

TITLE 27 – THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR CHAPTER 03 – RULES GOVERNING ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA SECTION .0100 – ORGANIZATION 27 NCAC 03 .0101 DEFINITIONS For purposes of this Chapter, the following shall apply: (1) "Chapter" or "Rules" refers to the "Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in the State of North Carolina. " (2) "Board" refers to the "Board of Law Examiners ofthe State of North Carolina. " A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and the action of a majority of a quorum, present and voting, shall constitute the action of the Board. (3) "Executive Director" refers to the "Executive Director of the Board of Law Examiners ofthe State of North Carolina. " (4) "File" or "filing" or "filed" shall mean received in the office of the Board of Law Examiners. Except that applications placed in the United States mail properly addressed to the Board of Law Examiners and bearing sufficient first-class postage and postmarked by the United States Postal Service or date-stamped by any recognized delivery service on or before a deadline date will be considered as having been timely filed if all required fees are included in the mailing. Mailings which are postmarked after a deadline or which, if postmarked on or before a deadline, do not include required fees or which include a check in payment of required fees which is dishonored because of insufficient funds will not be considered as filed. Applications which are not properly signed and notarized; or which do not include the properly executed Authorization and Release forms; or which are illegible; or with incomplete answers to questions will not be considered filed and will be returned. (5) Any reference to a "state" shall mean one of the United States, and any reference to a "territory"shall mean a United States territory. (6) "Panel" means one or more members of the Board specially designated to conduct hearings provided for in these Rules. (7) "Uniform Bar Examination" (or "UBE") means the bar examination prepared and coordinated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners that is uniformly administered by user jurisdictions and results in a portable score. This includes the NextGen UBE. To the extent that these rules refer to"bar examination," "bar exam," "examination," and "exam," those terms also refer to the UBE. History Note: Authority G.S. 84-21; 84-24; Eff. February 1, 2025; Amendments Approved by the Supreme Court: December 10, 2025. 27 NCAC 03 .0102 WEBSITE The Board shall maintain a public website that shall publish the location of its offices, its mailing address, office hours, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, and such other information as the Board may direct. History Note: Authority G.S. 84-21; 84-24; Eff. February 1, 2025. 27 NCAC 03 .0103 PURPOSE The Board was created for the purpose of examining applicants and providing rules and regulations for admission to the bar, including the issuance of licenses therefor. History Note: Authority G.S. 84-21; 84-24; Eff. February 1, 2025. 27 NCAC 03 .0104 MEMBERSHIP The Board consists of 11 members of the North Carolina State Bar elected by the council of the North Carolina State Bar. One member of the Board is elected by the Board to serve as its Chair for such period as the Board may determine. The Board also employs an Executive Director to enable the Board to perform its duties promptly and properly. The Executive Director, in addition to performing the administrative functions of the position, may act asthe Board's attorney. History Note: Authority G.S. 84-21; 84-24; Eff. February 1, 2025. SECTION .0200-GENERAL PROVISIONS 27 NCAC 03 .0201 COMPLIANCE No person shall be admitted to the practice of law in North Carolina unless that person has complied with these Rules. History Note: Authority G.S. 84-21; 84-24; Eff. February 1, 2025. 27 NCAC 03 .0202 APPLICANTS For purp

FAQs

What filing requirements must an applicant satisfy to be considered timely filed?

Timely filing depends on proper mailing to the Board office by the deadline with sufficient first-class postage and required fees included. Applications may be rejected for improper signatures or notarization, missing authorization and release forms, illegibility, incomplete answers, or dishonored fee payments.

How are applicants classified under these rules?

Applicants are classified as general applicants, comity applicants, military spouse comity applicants, or transfer applicants. Each classification corresponds to specific rule requirements within the chapter.

What does “Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)” mean in this chapter?

“Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)” refers to a bar examination prepared and coordinated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners and uniformly administered by jurisdictions, producing a portable score, including the NextGen UBE. References to bar examination and related exam terms in these rules include the UBE.

Sep 21, 2026

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