(a) Appointment. There is a State Board of Law Examiners. The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Court. Each member shall  be an attorney admitted and in good standing to practice law in Maryland. The terms of members shall be as provided in Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 10-202 (c).

(b) Quorum. A majority of the authorized membership of the Board is a quorum.

(c) Authority.

(1) Generally. The Board shall exercise the authority and perform the duties assigned to it by the Rules in this Chapter and Chapter 200 of this Title, including general supervision over the character and fitness requirements and procedures set forth in those Rules and the operations of the character committees.

(2) Adoption of Rules. The Board may adopt rules to carry out the requirements of this Chapter and Chapter 200 of this Title. The Rules of the Board shall follow Chapter 200 of Title 19.

(d) Amendment of Board Rules--Posting. Any amendment of the Board's rules shall be posted on the Judiciary website at least 45 days before the amendment is to become effective.

(e) Professional Assistants. The Board may appoint the professional assistants necessary for the proper conduct of its business. Each professional assistant shall be an attorney admitted and in good standing to practice law in Maryland and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

Committee note: Professional assistants primarily assist in grading the bar examination. Section (e) does not apply to the secretary or administrative staff.

(f) Compensation of Board Members and Assistants. The members of the Board and assistants shall receive the compensation fixed by the Court.

(g) Secretary to the Board. The Court may appoint a secretary to the Board, to hold office at the pleasure of the Court. The secretary shall be a member of a Bar of a state. The secretary shall have the administrative powers and duties prescribed by the Board and shall serve as the administrative director of the Office of the State Board of Law Examiners.

(h) Fees. The Board shall prescribe the fees, subject to approval by the Court, to be paid by applicants under Rules 19-205, 19-206, 19-207, and 19-210 and by petitioners under Rule 19-216.

Cross reference: See Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 10-208 (b) for maximum examination fee allowed by law.