It is now possible for Washington lawyers to become admitted to practice in some other jurisdictions without being required to take the full bar exam. These jurisdictions include Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The rule provides that lawyers from other states or territories or the District of Columbia may be admitted in Washington on the same conditions that a Washington lawyer may be admitted in the other jurisdiction. Because of this rule, Washington lawyers may now qualify for admission without taking the bar exam in those states requiring reciprocity. Depending on the admitting jurisdiction, a Washington lawyer may have to meet other admission requirements.
All jurisdictions require that an applicant be of good moral character and fit to practice law.
The adoption of this rule in Washington took many years. Former King County Young Lawyers President Lish Whitson, who was also on the executive committee of the ABA Young Lawyers Division, proposed a similar rule in 1982. It was referred to a Task Force on Professional Qualifications. The Board of Governors considered the proposal in 1984. Bill Dwyer, the proposal was not adopted.