A. The Supreme Court shall have discretion to grant a certificate without examination to any attorney who has been admitted to practice law before the court of last resort of any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia for at least five years. The certificate shall entitle the holder, after paying his license tax, to practice in the courts of this Commonwealth.
B. The Supreme Court shall also have discretion to grant a certificate without examination to any person connected with any foreign embassy or legation to appear in the courts of this Commonwealth in all matters connected with his official duties, provided that the person has been admitted to practice in the court of last resort of the jurisdiction of the embassy or legation to which he is attached or he has received a degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association.
C. The Supreme Court shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations allowing professors in law schools located in the Commonwealth, which are accredited by the American Bar Association, to become associate members of the Virginia State Bar. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the granting of a certificate without examination to a professor who is otherwise eligible for such a certificate under any other provision of this section.
D. The Supreme Court may authorize the Board or any committee thereof to administer the provisions of this section.
E. All other persons shall take the examinations and comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
Code 1950, § 54-67; 1988, c. 765; 1998, c. 796; 2013, c. 396.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 54.1 - Professions and Occupations
§ 54.1-3900. Practice of law; student internship program; definition
§ 54.1-3901. Practice of patent law
§ 54.1-3903. Oath; qualification; proof of licensure or authorization
§ 54.1-3904. Penalty for practicing without authority
§ 54.1-3906. Liability to client
§ 54.1-3907. Reasonable care of attorney in selection of index
§ 54.1-3908. Liability for words used in proceedings concerning conduct
§ 54.1-3910. Organization and government of Virginia State Bar
§ 54.1-3910.1. Enforcement, etc., of costs
§ 54.1-3913. State Bar Fund; receipts; disbursements
§ 54.1-3913.1. Clients' Protection Fund
§ 54.1-3914. Forfeiture of license for failing to pay fees; restoration of license
§ 54.1-3915. Restrictions as to rules and regulations
§ 54.1-3916. Legal aid societies
§ 54.1-3917. Master retirement program
§ 54.1-3917.1. Group or individual insurance policies
§ 54.1-3918. Availability of Virginia State Bar membership list
§ 54.1-3919. Composition of Board; quorum
§ 54.1-3920. Appointment and terms of members
§ 54.1-3921. Board to elect one of its members president; appointment of secretary and treasurer
§ 54.1-3922. Powers, rules and regulations
§ 54.1-3924. Fees paid by applicants
§ 54.1-3925. Application for examination
§ 54.1-3925.2. Access to criminal history records
§ 54.1-3925.3. Authority for subpoenas; qualified privilege and immunity
§ 54.1-3926. Preliminary proof of education required of applicant
§ 54.1-3927. Time and place of examination
§ 54.1-3928. Issuance of license or certificate; list of persons certified to Supreme Court
§ 54.1-3929. Preservation of examination papers
§ 54.1-3931. Granting certificates without examination; law professors
§ 54.1-3933. Decreeing fee out of funds under control of court
§ 54.1-3934. Revocation of license by Board
§ 54.1-3935. Procedure for disciplining attorneys by three-judge circuit court
§ 54.1-3936. Protection of client interests in proceedings pending disciplinary action
§ 54.1-3938. Service of process in license revocation proceedings
§ 54.1-3938.1. Subpoena issued pursuant to law of another jurisdiction
§ 54.1-3941. Unlawful to act as runners or cappers
§ 54.1-3942. Validity of contract
§ 54.1-3943. Injunction against running, capping and soliciting