Please review the general requirements for certification and continued certification, as well as the standards for Immigration Law.

SUMMARY OF STANDARDS

LICENSURE

Licensed and in good standing to practice law in North Carolina as of the date of application.

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN IMMIGRATION LAW

During the five years preceding application:

Average of at least 700 hours a year.

Minimum of 400 hours for any one year.

In addition, applicants shall provide information regarding participation in at least four of the seven categories of activities listed below: (A) Family Immigration, (B) Employment Related Immigration, (C) Naturalization, (D) Administrative Hearings and Appeals. (E) Administrative Proceedings and Review in Judicial Courts, (F) Asylum and Refugee Status, (G) Employer Verification, Sanctions, Document Fraud, Bond and Custody, Rescission, Registry, and Fine Proceedings.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

During the four years preceding application:

At least 48 hours of CLE in topics relating to immigration law.

At least 20 must be earned during the first and second year and 20 during the third and fourth years preceding application.

Of the 48 hours, at least 42 must be in immigration law.

The balance may be in the related areas of federal administrative procedure, trial advocacy, evidence, taxation, family law, employment law, and criminal law and procedure.

PEER REVIEW

Must provide the names of ten lawyers or judges who are familiar with the competence and qualification of the applicant in immigration law.

All references must be licensed and in good standing to practice law.

At least four of the references must have substantial practice or judicial experience in immigration.

A reference may not be related by blood or marriage to the applicant nor may the reference be a colleague at the applicant’s place of employment at the time of the application.

EXAM

Four 90-minute sessions (six hours long)

Exam sessions begin around 8:15 am and finish prior to 5 pm.

Includes multiple-choice, short answer, and short essay questions.

Exam administered at the NC State Bar building or through a remote proctoring option.