Rule 15-207. Licensure.

A. Recommendation and order. On determination that an applicant has qualified for admission, the board shall recommend admission to the Supreme Court, and identify whether the license is a limited license. On receipt of the board’s recommendation, the Supreme Court may review an applicant’s application and record, and if satisfied the applicant is qualified, enter an order granting the applicant admission subject to any limitations or conditional admission identified by the board or imposed by the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court is not satisfied an applicant is qualified, it may refuse the board’s recommendation, set the matter for oral argument, remand the matter to the board for further proceedings, or take other action it deems appropriate. B. Admitted applicants. If the Supreme Court is satisfied that an applicant is qualified for admission, the applicant will be admitted to the practice of law before the courts of the State of New Mexico consistent with the following procedures and subject to any limitations or conditional admission requirements identified by the board or imposed by the Supreme Court. (1) Limited license applicants. With the exception of in-house counsel limited license applicants, the Supreme Court will enter an order granting a limited license to the applicant. The admitted limited license applicant may begin practicing law under the limited license upon delivery to the board of a fully executed oath or affirmation and other paperwork prescribed by the board. Continued practice under the limited license is subject to the board’s character and fitness determination and the completion of all application requirements, if applicable. (2) In-house counsel limited license applicants. After completion of all application requirements, the board will notify an applicant for an in-house counsel limited license that it has recommended the applicant’s admission to the Supreme Court. Such applicants may then begin to practice after receiving an order from the Supreme Court granting an in-house counsel limited license to the applicant and upon delivery to the board of a fully executed oath. (3) Other non-examination applicants. The board will notify other applicants who are not applying for a limited license or are not seeking to be admitted by examination that it has recommended the applicant’s admission to the Supreme Court. Applicants may begin to practice law upon completion of any additional paperwork prescribed by the board, after returning a fully executed oath or affirmation to the board as contained in Rule 15-208 NMRA, and after signing the roll of attorneys maintained by the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The signing of the roll of attorneys will occur as scheduled by the Clerk of the Supreme Court with the assistance of the board. All other non-examination applicants shall complete the admission process within six (6) months of the date the applicant is notified that the applicant is recommended for admission. If, before the expiration of this six (6) month deadline, the board receives a written request from an applicant showing good cause for an extension, the board may grant an extension. An applicant who fails to complete the process by the deadline in this rule shall be deemed to have withdrawn the application for admission. (4) Reinstatement applicants. The board will notify reinstatement applicants that it has recommended the applicant’s readmission to the Supreme Court. Applicants may begin to practice law upon completion of any additional paperwork prescribed by the board, issuance of a Clerk’s Certificate of Reinstatement issued by the Supreme Court Clerk, and any requirements by the New Mexico State Bar. (5) Examination applicants. Examination applicants may begin to practice law upon completion of: (a) any additional paperwork prescribed by the board; and (b) attending a swearing-in ceremony in which the applicant completes an administered oath or affirmation and signs the roll of attorneys maintained by the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The swearing-in and signing of the roll of attorneys must occur by attending a ceremony arranged by the Supreme Court with the assistance of the board. The process shall be completed by an applicant within six (6) months of the date of being notified admission has been granted. If, before the expiration of this six (6) month deadline, the board receives a written request from an applicant showing good cause for an extension, then the board may grant an extension to complete the process. Any examination applicant whom the board has determined is qualified for admission, but who fails to complete the admissions process by the deadline in this rule shall be deemed not in good standing.