Rule 8.10: Admission without examination

Compliance with Annual Law Update requirement of Rule 15.05(d)

Rule 8.10 provides that a person proving each requirement of the rule may be admitted to the practice of law in Missouri without examination. Please see Rule 8.10 or contact The Missouri Board of Law Examiners for the first steps in applying for admission without examination. Within 90 days after the date of written notification that the person’s character and fitness has been approved, Rule 8.10(a)(6) specifically requires that an applicant comply with the annual law update requirement of Rule 15.05(d).

Annual Law Update requirement of Rule 15.05(d)

A person seeking admission under Rule 8.10 shall, prior to being issued a license, attend The Missouri Bar Annual Law Update Program or an accredited continuing legal education program that has intellectual and practical content substantially equivalent to The Missouri Bar Annual Law Update program. Attendance shall be no earlier than 12 months prior to the date the application for admission under Rule 8.10 is filed.

The Missouri Bar Annual Law Update is required to ensure the applicant for admission is aware of the current status of Missouri law, as the applicant is not demonstrating such familiarity on a bar examination. The Annual Law Update covers Missouri law in probate, torts, criminal law, appellate practice, ethics, employment law, workers’ compensation, bankruptcy, family law, and real estate law. Any program considered to be “substantially equivalent" must include similar content in these specific areas.

Attendance at the Annual Law Update

Attendance at The Missouri Bar Annual Law Update program should be no earlier than 12 months prior to the date of application for admission but completed within 90 days after the date of written notification that the person’s character and fitness has been approved. The Missouri Bar Annual Law Update program is held several times throughout the year by live webinar. To search for the available webinar dates, go to Annual Law Update Webinar.

Prior to registering for The Missouri Bar Annual Law Update program, a “non-member account” must be created to purchase the program. Click here for instructions for creating an account, or download the form below. If you need assistance registering for the program, please contact MoBarCLE at 888-253-6013 or 573-659-6688.

After attending the program, please complete the "Rule 8.10 Certificate of Compliance" and email it to the MCLE department at mcle@mobar.org. The certificate is the last document in the “Materials” section of the Annual Law Update program, or you can click on the downloadable certificate below. The MCLE department will forward the certificate of completion to the Missouri Board of Law Examiners and the applicant will be simultaneously notified.

Downloadable Materials

Rule 8.10 Certificate of Compliance (fillable pdf)   
Instructions on creating a non-member account (pdf)