Texas offers admission without examination, often called AWOX, to qualifying lawyers authorized to practice in another U.S. jurisdiction. The central experience requirement is active, substantial, lawful practice as your principal occupation for at least five of the seven years immediately before filing. You must also satisfy the other applicable admission requirements. Texas Rule 13 §2

Before applying, list your actual work during that seven-year period. Include gaps and changes in your license status so you can identify the five years that qualify.

What practice time counts?

The Board’s current guidelines require an average of at least 30 practice hours per week during the relevant period. A job title alone does not establish eligibility. Lawful authorization matters, including where you physically worked. Texas practice-time guidelines

The guidelines address less conventional histories, including in-house counsel, federal practice, judicial clerkships, remote work, and some J.D.-preferred positions. Read the conditions for the work you performed. For example, a judicial clerkship may count when the applicant was authorized to practice in a jurisdiction, while a clerkship without such authorization does not. The guidelines also permit consideration of documented qualifying pro bono work. Official practice-time guidance

Before counting a disputed period, record your license status, location, duties, hours, and the legal authority allowing that work. Do not count the same calendar period twice because you held two jobs.

Your AWOX preparation checklist

  1. Map the seven-year window. List each role and any gaps, reduced-hours periods, or changes in authorization. Identify the five years you believe qualify and supporting records.
  2. Verify education separately. Texas requires the applicable approved-school law study or a Rule 13 exemption. A law-study exemption is not, by itself, an exemption from the examination. Rules 3 and 13
  3. Assemble practice evidence. Review the Board’s documentation instructions for income records, authorization to practice, and official job descriptions or employer explanations. Keep the evidence consistent with your application’s dates. Texas practice-documentation FAQs
  4. Check the remaining licensing requirements. These include character and fitness, an MPRE score of at least 85, the Texas Law Component, and other applicable licensing conditions. Registration, fees, and the oath remain part of licensing. AWOX requirements
  5. File through ATLAS. AWOX applications may be submitted year-round. Arrange required third-party documents and keep application information current while review is pending. Official application procedure

What if you do not have five qualifying years?

Check score transfer as a separate route. Following the September 18, 2026 amendments, Rule 13 §1 permits qualifying transfers of a legacy UBE score of at least 270 or a NextGen UBE score of at least 620 earned in another state within five years before filing. Other admission requirements still apply. Texas Supreme Court amendment order

Use the BarReqs calculator to compare your potential routes. Our admission-on-motion overview and state reciprocity guide explain the broader distinctions.

General information only, not legal advice or an eligibility decision. The Texas Board evaluates the application under current rules.