Rule 15-301 - Examination method.A.Description. As further specified in this rule, a qualified applicant may apply for a license to be issued on the applicant's satisfactory completion of all requirements for this method of licensure, including receipt of a passing score on the bar examination. Recent law school graduates typically select this method of licensure, although the method of licensure described in this rule may be sought by any qualified applicant.B.Application deadlines. A complete application for a license under this rule, along with required fees, must be submitted to the board on or before the deadlines specified below. Applications for the February examination will open on September 1st of each year. Applications for the July examination will open on February 1st of each year. An application submitted after the pertinent filing deadline will be rejected. (1) Applications filed after November 1st for the February examination shall 14 incur a late fee;(2) The final deadline for the February examination shall be January 1st;(3) Applications filed after May 1st for the July examination shall incur a late fee;(4) The final deadline for the July examination shall be June 1st.C.Qualifications. An applicant for license under this rule shall provide proof that the applicant meets the qualifications set forth in Rule 15-202 NMRA, and must pass all examinations described in Rule 15-501(A) NMRA.D.Character and fitness. The board shall make a determination about the character and fitness of an applicant as set forth in Rule 15-205 NMRA for any applicant who has submitted an application for a license under this rule. An applicant shall pay any fees and costs associated with a character and fitness hearing.E.Procedure for issuance. On the board's receipt from an applicant of (a) a 5 completed application for a license under this rule, (b) the required fees and costs, and (c) 6 documents required by Paragraph C, then (1) the board shall evaluate the applicant's character and fitness as described in Rule 15-205 NMRA;(2) the applicant may take examinations described in Article 5 of these rules, 10 even if a character and fitness evaluation is not yet complete; and(3) on the board's determination the applicant is qualified and possesses the requisite character and fitness, and that the applicant has passed the MPRE, and the applicant has passed the examination of the minimum competence to practice law within two (2) years of completing all requirements under these rules, the board shall follow the requirements of Rule 15 207(A) NMRA for recommending issuance of a license to the applicant, and the applicant shall comply with the requirements of Rule 15-207(B) NMRA. The board may extend the expiration of examination results on showing of good cause.F.Fees and costs. The following fees and costs must be paid by the applicant on submission of the application for a license under this rule, and shall not offset fees and costs required to apply for another method of licensure: (1)Application fee. An application fee according to a published schedule of application fees promulgated by the board and approved by the Supreme Court;(2)Investigation costs. Investigation costs according to the schedule of pass-1 through costs promulgated by the board as described in Rule 15-204(B) NMRA; and(3)Late fee. When applicable as set forth in Paragraph B of this rule, a late fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00).G.Specific ongoing requirements. An applicant approved for a license under this rule shall comply with the requirements of Rule 15-206 NMRA and Rule 15-207 NMRA.H.Limitations. A person practicing law under a license issued under this rule is not 7 subject to any limitation, unless otherwise ordered by the Supreme Court.I. Expiration. A license issued under this rule does not expire.J. Suspension of license. A license issued under this rule is only subject to suspension 10 as described in the Rules Governing Discipline, Rules 17-101 to -316 NMRA.K. Revocation. A license issued under this rule is only subject to revocation as described in Rule 15-201(F) NMRA and the Rules Governing Discipline, Rules 17-101 to -316 13 NMRA.As amended, effective 11/1/1994; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 2020-8300-001, effective 8/31/2020; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2023-00036, 16 effective12/31/2023. ANNOTATIONS The 1994 amendment, effective November 1, 1994, deleted former Paragraph A relating to interviews; redesignated former Paragraph B as Paragraph A, deleted "and hearings" from the paragraph heading, and substituted "cross-examine adverse witnesses, be represented by counsel and present relevant evidence" for "cross-examine witnesses against him, be represented by counsel and present evidence in his own behalf" in that paragraph; added Paragraphs B and C; redesignated Paragraph C as Paragraph D and rewrote that paragraph; and made minor stylistic changes throughout the rule. Powers of supreme court over admission to practice. - The supreme court has the ultimate responsibility to grant or withhold an admission to practice law. That court must independently examine and weigh the evidence and then pass upon its sufficiency. A particular case must be judged on its own merits, and an ad hoc determination in each instance must be made by the court. Nall v. Board of Bar Exmrs., 1982-NMSC-051, 98 N.M. 172, 646 P.2d 1236. Burden of proof as to moral character. - The burden is on the applicant to prove good moral character. The board then has the opportunity to rebut, showing evidence of bad moral character. Nall v. Board of Bar Exmrs., 1982-NMSC-051, 98 N.M. 172, 646 P.2d 1236. Burden of proof in challenge to board's findings or decision. - The applicant has the burden of showing that the board's findings are not supported by the evidence or that the decision was erroneous or unlawful. Reasonable doubts are resolved in favor of the applicant. Nall v. Board of Bar Exmrs., 1982-NMSC-051, 98 N.M. 172, 646 P.2d 1236. Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. - Criminal record as affecting applicant's moral character for purposes of admission to the bar, 88 A.L.R.3d 192. Violation of draft laws as affecting character for purposes of admission to the bar, 88 A.L.R.3d 1055.