The bar exam is the licensing test required to practice law in the United States. It’s the final step between earning a law degree and becoming an attorney representing clients, appearing in court, or providing legal advice. Individual state bar authorities conduct the bar exam, many of which use exam materials developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE®). The first written bar exam in the U.S. appeared in the late 1800s, replacing earlier oral evaluations before judges.
Most people who sit for the bar exam are recent law school graduates, but they’re not the only ones. Career changers, internationally trained lawyers, and graduates seeking admission in another state may also take the exam.
Each U.S. jurisdiction sets its own version of the bar exam, but most use a common structure or follow the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE®). Others, like California or Florida, use state-specific formats. Regardless of location, passing the bar exam is a mandatory step for licensure and entry into the legal profession. In the United States.
What Is the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), and Does Your State Qualify?
The NCBE developed the UBE to streamline score portability between jurisdictions by uniformly assessing the knowledge and skills that every lawyer should be able to demonstrate before becoming licensed. The UBE is administered over the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July every year and consists of 2 sections and 3 components.
- Multistate Bar Examination (MBE®): multiple-choice section
- Multistate Essay Examination (MEE®): writing section
- Multistate Performance Test (MPT®): writing section
Read our in-depth guide on bar exam format and subjects, UBE scoring, and see the list of UBE jurisdictions for a comprehensive overview of specific deadlines, fees, and details.
Bar Exam in Non-UBE States
A few jurisdictions haven’t adopted UBE and use their own bar exam. States like California, Hawaii, Florida, and Delaware, along with others, include state-specific formats, subjects, and scoring rules, and their exam results typically cannot be transferred elsewhere.
However, all jurisdictions administer the MBE except for Louisiana and Puerto Rico. California and Louisiana, in particular, are known to have relatively difficult bar exams. For example, Louisiana’s bar exam is unique in the material taught in the state, which operates under French Civil Law rather than English Common Law.
If you plan on taking the bar exam in a non-UBE jurisdiction, select the appropriate state from the list of non-UBE states for a detailed overview of its bar exam, or read more about the bar examination by state.
Bar Exam Registration and Requirements
The registration process for each jurisdiction is unique. However, you’ll most likely have to create an NCBE account to register for an NCBE number at some point. While details will vary, most jurisdictions require some version of the following requirements to sit for the bar exam:
- Graduate with a Juris Doctorate (JD) or a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from an ABA-accredited or state-approved law school
- Undergo a character and fitness investigation and assessment
- Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE®) before or after the bar exam
- Submit a completed application and pay a fee by the stated deadline
Registration deadlines vary by state and can come months in advance, often with late fees if you miss the first window. Since fees, forms, and timelines differ in every jurisdiction, it’s important to check your specific state’s requirements before applying.
Learn More
- Bar Exam Requirements, Cost, and Fees
- Bar Exam Dates & Schedule
- Becoming a Lawyer in the United States as a Non-Resident
- The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Lawyer
- UBE Scores by States
Transferring Bar Exam Scores Between Jurisdictions
What happens if you obtain your license in one jurisdiction but later decide to practice in another? If you’ve passed the UBE, the process is more straightforward and is handled by NCBE Score Services. Even so, each jurisdiction has unique policies regarding reciprocity and admission on motion.
Bar reciprocity refers to the ability of licensed lawyers in one state to practice law in another without taking that state’s bar exam. However, you still may have to jump through hoops: character exams, extra courses, state-specific exams, etc. Many jurisdictions have reciprocity agreements with others. Those who don’t have formal reciprocity often have policies allowing for admission on motion (or admission without examination).
What Is the NextGen UBE?
Beginning in July 2026 through 2028, the NextGen UBE will gradually replace the current UBE (legacy) in many jurisdictions. The goal is to shift the exam from heavy memorization and focus more on practical legal skills, application, and real-world scenarios.
Instead of testing a wide range of subjects in isolation, NextGen UBE will integrate doctrine with lawyering tasks like analysis, advising, legal writing, and problem-solving. The number of tested subjects will be reduced, and the exam will be fully computer-based. During the transition, some states will adopt NextGen right away while others continue using the legacy UBE for a period of time. That means your graduation year and jurisdiction will determine which format you take.
The dedicated NextGen Bar Exam guide provides a full breakdown of the changes, adoption timeline, and tested skills.
How Hard Is the Bar Exam, and How Do You Study For It?
The UBE is challenging because it tests multiple subjects under pressure, including writing skills, reasoning ability, and time management skills. Pass rates depend on the state, but first-time takers from ABA-accredited law schools generally perform better than repeat takers or graduates from non-accredited programs. Some jurisdictions, like California and Florida, are known for being especially demanding.
You can explore state-by-state results in our Bar Exam Pass Rates and Statistics resource. On average, students dedicate 8 to 10 weeks of focused study to build consistency rather than cramming.
Many students use commercial bar review courses, supplement with question banks, or follow jurisdiction-specific prep resources. The earlier you understand your exam format and deadlines, the easier it is to plan your study strategy. See our Bar Exam Study Guide for a step-by-step study plan, subject breakdowns, and practice strategies.
Students who completed at least 75% of Themis’ July 2024 Bar Review course had a 10-12% higher pass rate than the state-wide average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can you take the bar exam?
Many jurisdictions have no limit on the number of times you can retake the bar exam. Other jurisdictions limit the number of attempts anywhere from 3-6. For details, see our retake bar exam page.
Can you take the bar exam without going to law school?
It depends. Some states, including Washington, Vermont, California, and Virginia, allow you to take the bar exam without a law degree. However, there are other requirements, like California’s Law Office Study Program, that may be required.
When do law students take the bar exam?
The UBE is administered biannually on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July. Non-UBE bar exam dates vary but typically follow a similar schedule.
Why is the bar exam called the bar exam?
The term “bar” has its roots in the physical and symbolic barrier that divided the courtroom between the general public and those involved in the court case and the judges, lawyers, and other court officials. When someone passes the bar exam and becomes a lawyer, they can cross the “bar” into the formerly restricted area.
Which bar exam is hardest?
California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.
Which states do not require you to take the bar exam?
Wisconsin offers “diploma privilege”, meaning you do not have to take the bar exam to obtain licensure if you graduate from 1 of 2 approved law schools. Oregon has recently approved alternatives to taking its bar exam as well.
