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Hello. I am a current law clerk in a non-New York state court, and graduated from law school this past May. I would like to work for a NY DA office after completing my clerkship. I have started to send in applications and heard back from Bronx. Bronx said "Applicants for the position of Assistant DA must take the first available NY State Bar Exam after graduation from law school pursuant to NY Judiciary Law Sections 478 and 484. Since you did not take such bar exam, you cannot presently be considered for a position."
Has anyone ever heard of this, or are they just BSing me. It would seem to apply no one could ever lateral in, which I doubt is the case. To make matters more confusing I got an interview with another NYC office, and they have made no mention of this requirement.

Thanks!

Google the law they cited at you and, from a very quick skim, it looks like they're saying they don't want to consider you because you're not qualified to practice before the courts in NY because you're not admitted in NY and you're not awaiting your bar results in NY as a recently graduated student.