UPDATE (12/5/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced Arizona will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027. For more information about admission to the Arizona Bar, see Arizona Supreme Court Attorney Admissions.
Things to note:
Arizona requires the Course on Arizona Law be completed to be admitted to practice in Arizona.
Arizona is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For more information about admission to the Arizona bar, see https://www.azbaradmissions.org/home
UPDATE (3/14/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Colorado Supreme Court will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2028. For more information about bar admission in Colorado, see Colorado Supreme Court Admission Information.
Things to note:
All applicants for admission to practice law in Colorado must attend a mandatory course entitled Practicing with Professionalism. This one-day course is offered several times throughout the year.
Colorado is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For more information about bar admission in Colorado, see www.coloradosupremecourt.com/Future%20Lawyers/Overview.asp.
UPDATE (2/22/2024): At its January 26, 2024, regular meeting, the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee voted to adopt the NextGen bar examination beginning with the July 2026 exam administration. For information about admission to the Connecticut bar, see Connecticut Bar Examining Committee - Applications & Information.
UPDATE (11/1/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced Connecticut will administer the NextGen Bar Exam, however, Connecticut officials have not yet finalized its first administration date.
Connecticut is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information about admission to the Connecticut bar, see Connecticut Bar Examining Committee - Applications & Information.
UPDATE (7/24/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Florida Supreme Court approved the recommendation from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners (FBBE) and will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2028. The exam will still include a Florida component. For information on admission to the Florida bar, see Florida Board of Bar Examiners - Admission Requirements (floridabarexam.org)
Things to note:
Applicants are required to submit the character and fitness application at the time they apply for an examination. The investigation does not have to be complete in order for an applicant to take the examination.
Florida has not adopted the UBE.
Law students are encouraged, but not required, to register in the first year of law school. In addition to the early start of the investigative process, student registrants are afforded a significant savings on the application fees. The law student registration fee is $400. Discounted early law student registration fees are available: $100 for those who commence in August or September and file by January 15; $350 for those who commence in August or September and file by March 15. Law students also pay a $600 fee to convert the student registration to an application in the final year of law school.
The Florida Bar Examination consists of the General Bar Examination and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
Study guides are published for the Florida-prepared portion (Part A), the Multistate Bar Examination (Part B) of the General Bar Examination, and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). The study guide for Part A includes essay questions from two previous administrations, sample answers to the essay questions, and sample multiple-choice questions. The Study Guide is available in PDF format at no cost.
Free study aids are available on the NCBE website (scroll to "NCBE Free Study Aid Resources").
For information on admission to the Florida bar, see Florida Board of Bar Examiners - Admission Requirements (floridabarexam.org)
UPDATE (7/31/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Supreme Court of Georgia will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2028. For information on admission to the Georgia bar, see Admission to the Practice of Law in Georgia.
Things to note:
Georgia is not a Uniform Bar Exam state.
Admission to the practice of law in Georgia is a two-step process that requires the submission of two applications with separate deadlines and fees: 1. Application for the Certificate of Fitness to Practice Law in Georgia. 2. Bar Examination Application, to be submitted after the Certificate of Fitness to Practice Law is received.
A lawyer educated at a law school outside of the United States may be eligible to take the exam if the foreign-educated lawyer graduated from a foreign law school that meets the requirements of the Rules; is authorized to practice law in the foreign jurisdiction, and has been awarded an LLM that meets the Curricular Criteria for LLM Program for the Practice of Law in the United States adopted by the Board of Bar Examiners.
Sample Essay and MPT Questions and Selected Answers are available here: https://www.gabaradmissions.org/essay-and-mpt-questions-and-selected-answers
Key Dates:
https://www.gabaradmissions.org/deadlines-and-fees
February 25-26, 2025 Bar Exam: Regular Fitness Application Filing Period is April 1, 2024 - July 3, 2024
July 2025 Bar Exam: TBA
For information on admission to the Georgia bar, see https://www.gabaradmissions.org/home
UPDATE (5/29/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Supreme Court of Illinois and the Board of Admissions to the Bar will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning either February 2028 or July 2028. For information on admission to the Illinois bar, see Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar - Home (ilbaradmissions.org).
Things to note:
The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) was adopted in 2018. In Illinois, the UBE includes all components: Multistate Performance Test ( MPT) - two 90-min items, Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) - six essays, 3 hours, and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) - 200 multiple-choice, 6 hours. The UBE results in a portable score. Beginning with the July 2022 exam, Illinois will no longer offer admission by examination with MBE transfer (Non-UBE Score).
Information about Illinois filing fees and deadlines are available here: Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar - Latest News (ilbaradmissions.org)
Applicants who fall under Rule 704b (felony convictions, have been disbarred in another jurisdiction, pending disciplinary charges or felonies, etc.) must have character and fitness approval prior to sitting for the exam. All other applicants may sit for the exam prior to character and fitness approval.
For information on admission to the Illinois bar, see Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar - Home (ilbaradmissions.org)
UPDATE (8/12024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Indiana Supreme Court will implement the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2028. For information on admission to the Indiana bar, see Indiana Judicial Branch: Office of Admissions & Continuing Education: Bar Admissions
Indiana is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Indiana bar, see Indiana Judicial Branch: Office of Admissions & Continuing Education: Bar Admissions.
UPDATE (11/15/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Iowa Supreme Court will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Iowa is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Iowa bar, see https://www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/admissions.
UPDATE (2/22/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Kansas Judicial Branch will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2028.
Things to note:
If an applicant elects to take the bar examination during an ongoing character and fitness investigation or hearing, the Attorney Admissions office will embargo the applicant’s bar examination score until the applicant’s character and fitness qualifications are approved.
Kansas is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Kansas bar, see https://www.kscourts.org/Attorneys/Kansas-Bar
UPDATE (12/13/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Kentucky Supreme Court voted to administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Kentucky is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Kentucky bar, see https://www.kyoba.org/
UPDATE (11/1/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced Maryland will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2026.
Things to note:
Maryland is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
Prior to bar admission, all applicants must complete the Maryland Law Component, which consists of online outlines of significant distinctions of Maryland substantive law and procedure followed by an online confirmatory quiz.
Applicants with qualifying LLM degrees must obtain a waiver of Maryland's standard educational requirements prior to filing an application.
For information on admission to the Maryland bar, see https://www.mdcourts.gov/ble.
UPDATE (3/14/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Minnesota is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Minnesota bar, see Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners | (mn.gov)
UPDATE (11/1/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced Missouri will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2026.
Things to note:
The Supreme Court of Missouri and the Missouri Board of Law Examiners have prepared a mandatory open book test, the Missouri Educational Component Test or MECT, for exam applicants to complete as a condition of licensure.
Missouri is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Missouri bar, see Missouri Board of Law Examiners - Home (mble.org)
UPDATE (12/18/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Nebraska Supreme Court will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Nebraska is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Nebraska bar, see Admission to the Practice of Law | Nebraska Judicial Branch
UPDATE (2/5/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners and the New Mexico Supreme Court will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Things to note:
To be admitted to the New Mexico bar, individuals must complete the New Mexico Law Class. This class is required for applicants pursuant to Rule 15-103(G) NMRA. In order to receive credit for successful class completion, attendees must view the entire course, with no exceptions.
New Mexico is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the New Mexico bar, see New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners - New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners (nmexam.org)
UPDATE (6/12/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an order adopting the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027. For information on admission to the Oklahoma bar, see The Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners (OKBBE)
Things to note:
Law student registration with the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners shall be filed on or before October 15 of the 2nd year of law school. You must register if you ever intend to take the Oklahoma bar exam, or apply for Licensed Legal Intern. This registration is separate from your bar exam application.
Oklahoma is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Oklahoma bar, see The Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners (OKBBE)
UPDATE (11/1/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced Oregon will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2026.
Oregon is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Oregon bar, see https://www.osbar.org/admissions.
UPDATE (4/22/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Tennessee Supreme Court will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027. For information on admission to the Tennessee bar, see Tennessee Board of Law Examiners.
Things to note:
All applicants for admission by examination, by transferred UBE score, as the spouse of a military servicemember, or without examination (comity) must complete the online Tennessee Law Course in order to be eligible for licensing and admission. Applicants must have submitted the NCBE Application and all forms, including the Authorization and Release forms, and paid NCBE for the investigation (using the processes provided by NCBE for either online or mail submittal of payment and forms) on or before the final deadline for filing an application in Tennessee.
Tennessee is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Tennessee bar, see https://www.tnble.org/
UPDATE (1/31/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Utah Supreme Court has approved the use of the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2028.
Utah is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on Utah bar admission, see https://admissions.utahbar.org/home
UPDATE (1/18/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Vermont Supreme Court will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Vermont is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Vermont bar, see https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/attorneys/admission-vermont-bar
UPDATE (3/18/2024): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced the Supreme Court of Washington will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2026.
Things to note:
Qualified applicants must complete a free 4-hour course that is available online. The Washington Law Component (WLC) is an open-book, timed, online multiple-choice test with Washington-specific study materials available online to review prior to and during the test.
Washington is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Washington state bar, see https://admissions.wsba.org/information-and-applications
UPDATE (11/1/2023): The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), developers of the NextGen Bar Exam, announced Wyoming will administer the NextGen Bar Exam beginning July 2027.
Wyoming is a Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) state. The UBE is composed of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which are prepared by, given, and graded in accordance with the standards established by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Additional information regarding the content of the UBE is available at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube.
For information on admission to the Wyoming bar, see https://www.wyomingbar.org/for-lawyers/admissions/