Rule 51 - Board of Bar Examiners(a)Appointment and term of office. -The Court shall appoint a Board of Bar Examiners (the "Board") consisting of such number of members of the Bar as the Court shall determine. Each of the counties shall be represented on the Board. Each member of the Board shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, unless the Court shall order otherwise. No member shall be appointed to serve for more than 3 consecutive terms, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. At the request of the Board, the Court may appoint as a temporary Board member (to perform such duties as shall be prescribed by the Board) any former Board member.(b)Duties. -It shall be the duty of the Board to administer Rules 51 through 55. The Board shall examine applicants for admission to the Bar upon principles of law and equity at least once a year. The Court shall select a Chair, a Vice Chair and a Secretary. The duties of the Secretary shall be prescribed by the Board. The Court may also appoint an Executive Director who shall not be a member of the Board.(c)Powers. -The Board shall have the power: (1)Internal operating rules. -To adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of its duties;(2)Bar admission rules. -Subject to the approval of the Court, to adopt general rules, in furtherance of and supplemental to the Rules of the Court, relating to the admission to the Bar;(3)Subpoenas. -In connection with the performance of its duties, to take testimony under oath and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents by the filing of a praecipe for a subpoena with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, service of such subpoena to be made in a manner prescribed by the Clerk;(4)Fees. -To require the payment by each applicant for admission to the Bar, prior to or after examination, of reasonable fees relating to the application process, the administration of the Bar Examination and the admission process, including without limitation expenses incurred in connection with the character investigation set forth in subparagraph (6);(5)Stenographers. -To employ such stenographic or other assistance as may from time to time be necessary or proper; and(6)Character investigation. -To conduct such investigation of an applicant for admission to the Bar prior to or after the Bar Examination as shall be necessary to determine the fitness of such applicant and the applicant's compliance with the Rules of the Court and the Rules of the Board, and to charge any such applicant for expenses incurred in connection with such investigation in addition to the fees generally applicable to all applicants.(d)Associate members. -The Court may appoint associate members of the Board to assist each member of the Board. Each associate member shall have been a member of the Bar for at least 5 years. Each associate member shall be appointed for a term of three years and shall have such duties and functions as shall be prescribed by the Board. Associate members of the Board shall not have the power to vote upon any determination or decision of the Board.(e)Members-Elect. -The Court may appoint up to 2 Members-Elect per year to assist in the function and operation of the Board. Each Member-Elect shall be appointed for a term of 1 year and shall have such duties and functions as shall be prescribed by the Board. Members-Elect shall not have the power to vote upon any determination or decision of the Board.Amended effective 3/5/2012; amended effective 1/19/2017; amended effective 11/4/2021; amended February 21, 2023, effective 2/21/2023.