New Mexico will no longer require bar exam if one completes 675 hours of supervised legal work. #barexam https://t.co/UKHVeArxUs — Judge Richard Minor (@JudgeMinor) August 4, 2026Rural Justice Initiative Drives New RouteThe licensing reforms build on the state judiciary's Rural Justice Initiative, a programme created to strengthen legal services in small towns and under‑served areas. One option under consideration, now advancing, would allow graduates to qualify by completing at least 675 hours of supervised legal work within a year and submitting a portfolio of their skills instead of sitting a conventional exam. From Externships to Long‑Term PracticeThe Rural Justice Initiative was set up after a committee of rural judges, lawyers and community leaders examined these shortages and adopted the 'legal deserts' label for affected areas. Its three pillars – rural judicial externships, rural practice placements and a rural practice incubator – are designed to expose students and new attorneys to small‑town life and reduce the likelihood they relocate once qualified.