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FACT BRIEF

Are all Nevada judges legally required to have law degrees?

By Megan Loe on 05/05/2025

No.

Nevada does not require all judges in the state to have law degrees. 

Most Nevada judges must have a legal education under state law, but there are two exceptions: municipal court judges and justices of the peace in counties with populations under 100,000, said Eve Hanan, a law professor at UNLV. All but Clark and Washoe counties fall below that population threshold.

Lower-level court judges in Nevada are not legally required to have law degrees. Other requirements include being a state citizen and qualified elector, and having never been removed or retired from judicial office. 

Justices of the peace in smaller counties who are not licensed attorneys must also pass a Nevada Supreme Court exam within 18 months of taking office. 

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