The North Dakota Bar Exam | The Ultimate Guide 2025

Get ready for the 2025 North Dakota Bar Exam. Learn about exam dates, costs, scores, pass rates, results, requirements, and subjects.
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Bismarck, North Dakota Capitol Building: Home of the ND State Bar Exam

The North Dakota Board of Law Examiners adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE®) in February 2011. The UBE consists of 3 components: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE®), the Multistate Performance Test (MPT®), and the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE®). 

This standardized test format allows test takers to transfer their scores to participating states more easily. The article provides more information about the North Dakota Bar Exam, including dates, deadlines, fees, applications, results, and more.

The North Dakota Board of Law Examiners has announced that it intends to administer the NextGen bar exam exam in July 2027.

North Dakota Bar Exam Structure

The UBE spans the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July, with 6 hours of testing daily.

North Dakota Bar Exam Structure
Tuesday Wednesday
Morning
(3-hour session)		 2 MPTs 100 MBE multiple-choice questions
Afternoon
(3-hour session)		 6 essay questions 100 MBE multiple-choice questions

North Dakota Bar Exam Subjects and Topics

The North Dakota Bar Exam evaluates your understanding of foundational legal principles, practical lawyering skills, and federal law through the following 3 components.

MPT

The MPT assesses your ability to carry out practical legal tasks in a simulated environment. You’ll complete two 90-minute tasks set in a fictional jurisdiction known as "Franklin," which operates under its own legal framework — distinct from U.S. and North Dakota laws. 

Each task provides comprehensive documents, including relevant and irrelevant information. Success requires critical thinking and a solid grasp of essential legal principles.

MPT Abilities Tested
Sort through the detailed factual materials. Separate relevant/irrelevant facts.
Analyze statutes, cases, and administrative materials. Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas.
Communicate effectively in writing. Complete a lawyering task within time constraints.

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MEE

The MEE consists of 6 essay questions. Each question involves 1 or more of the subjects listed below. Some subjects may be paired together, and others could be omitted. While it's impossible to know which subjects the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) will choose for any given exam version, some have been tested more frequently than others historically. 

For example, Civil Procedure has appeared on nearly every MEE in the past decade, while Criminal Law has only appeared a few times. However, subjects that occur less frequently on their own may be paired with others.

MEE Subjects
Business Associations Evidence
Civil Procedure Family Law
Conflicts of Law Real Property
Constitutional Law Secured Transactions
Contracts Torts
Criminal Law & Procedure Trusts & Estates

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MBE

The MBE assesses your ability to apply fundamental legal principles and reasoning to fact patterns across 7 areas of law. Of the 200 multiple-choice questions, only 175 are scored, while 25 serve as unscored field tests for future exams.

MBE Subjects
Civil Procedure Constitutional Law
Contracts Criminal Law and Procedure
Evidence Real Property
Torts

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UWorld MBE Sample Questions

Quality speaks for itself. Try some of our free MBE sample questions below.

Select a Question sample.

Select a Question sample.

A husband and wife were married in State A and lived there for 10 years before separating. One month later, the wife permanently moved to State B and immediately filed for divorce in a federal court in State B. The wife claims that she is entitled to $300,000 in alimony. The husband appeared in the action and has filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction.

Should the court grant the motion?

  1. No, because the court has diversity jurisdiction over the case.
  2. No, because the husband waived a subject-matter jurisdiction challenge by appearing in the case.
  3. Yes, because state courts have exclusive jurisdiction over this type of action.
  4. Yes, because the wife did not establish a domicile in State B.
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Explanation:

Federal diversity jurisdiction exceptions

Federal courts cannot exercise diversity jurisdiction over cases involving:

  • probate matters (eg, authenticating wills, administering estates) or
  • domestic relations (eg, issuing divorce, alimony, or child-custody decrees)

A federal court must possess subject-matter jurisdiction to hear the merits of a case before it. Subject-matter jurisdiction can be established through either:

  • federal-question jurisdiction – when a claim arises under the U.S. Constitution, a treaty, or federal law (not seen here) or
  • diversity jurisdiction – when the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 and the opposing parties are citizens of different states.

Here, diversity jurisdiction is established since the wife claims that she is entitled to $300,000 and the parties are citizens of different states (States A and B). However, federal courts cannot exercise diversity jurisdiction over cases involving probate matters or domestic relations. Instead, state courts have exclusive jurisdiction over these types of actions (Choice A).* Therefore, the husband's motion to dismiss should be granted.

*The probate and domestic-relations exceptions exist because states have a strong interest in these substantive areas and are more qualified to deal with the constant judicial involvement these types of cases require.

(Choice B) A challenge to subject-matter jurisdiction is never waived. However, a challenge to personal jurisdiction is waived if the defendant has voluntarily appeared in the case, unless it was a special appearance for the express purpose of objecting to personal jurisdiction.

(Choice D) An individual is a citizen of the state where he/she is domiciled—ie, physically present with the intent to remain indefinitely. Since the wife permanently moved to State B, she has established her domicile there.

Educational objective:
Federal courts cannot exercise diversity jurisdiction over cases involving probate matters or domestic relations. Instead, state courts have exclusive jurisdiction over these types of cases.

Bluebook Citations :

  • Ankenbrandt v. Richards, 504 U.S. 689, 703–04 (1992) (explaining the domestic-relations exception to diversity jurisdiction).

A congressional committee investigated the pharmaceutical industry and found that the high cost of prescription drugs purchased and sold in the United States negatively impacted the nation's economy and the health of its citizens. In response, Congress passed a statute that regulates "the retail prices of every purchase or sale of prescription drugs in the United States."

A group of pharmaceutical companies challenged the constitutionality of this statute in federal court.

What is the strongest argument in support of the constitutionality of this statute?

  1. Congress may enact statutes for the general welfare.
  2. Congress may regulate the prices of all domestic purchases and sales of goods.
  3. The Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate the interstate transportation of prescription drugs.
  4. The purchases and sales of prescription drugs in the United States substantially impact interstate commerce in the aggregate.
Submit Next Question

Explanation:

Commerce clause challenge

The commerce clause gives Congress broad power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. This includes:

  • the channels of interstate and foreign commerce (eg, roadways)
  • the instrumentalities of interstate and foreign commerce (eg, vehicles)
  • persons and things moving in interstate or foreign commerce (eg, goods and services) and
  • in-state activities that, singly or in the aggregate, substantially impact interstate or foreign commerce.

Since Congress's commerce power is broad, federal statutes are constitutional if there is any rational basis for concluding that the regulated activity substantially affects interstate or foreign commerce. This can be shown through express congressional findings.

Here, the federal statute regulates the retail prices of prescription drugs in the United States. Congress has the authority to regulate such products' interstate transportation, but this statute also regulates in-state purchases and sales (Choice C). Since the congressional committee found that the high cost of prescription drugs negatively impacted the nation's economy, it is rational to conclude that their aggregated in-state purchases and sales substantially impact interstate commerce. Therefore, this is the strongest argument to support this statute.

(Choice A) The taxing and spending clause empowers Congress to tax and spend for the general welfare. But regulating prices is not equivalent to taxing or spending.

(Choice B) Congress cannot regulate the prices of every domestic purchase and sale of goods since it cannot regulate purely in-state sales that do not substantially affect interstate commerce.

Educational objective:
The commerce clause empowers Congress to regulate (1) channels and instrumentalities of, (2) persons and things moving in, and (3) in-state activities that—singly or in the aggregate—substantially affect interstate or foreign commerce.

Bluebook Citations :

  • Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1, 17 (2005) (explaining Congress's broad authority under the commerce clause).

The owner of a new office building contracted with a well-known landscaper to design and install landscaping around the building for $30,000. The agreement was memorialized in writing, was signed by both parties, and called for a budget of $5,000 for trees, shrubs, sod, and materials. The contract required the landscaper to complete the work within six months. Due to an unexpected increase in the price of trees and shrubs, the landscaper abandoned the project and never completed any of the work.

Three years after the landscaper's deadline, the building owner sued the landscaper for breach of contract. In the jurisdiction, the statute of limitations for breach of a services contract is two years after the breach, and the statute of limitations for breach of a sale-of-goods contract is four years.

Can the owner recover damages from the landscaper?

  1. No, because the contract is divisible with respect to the services and goods, and the landscaper's breach is therefore subject to the two-year statute of limitations.
  2. No, because the contract primarily calls for services, and the landscaper's breach is therefore subject to the two-year statute of limitations.
  3. Yes, because the landscaper's breach was a result of an increase in the price of goods, and his breach is therefore subject to the four-year statute of limitations.
  4. Yes, because the landscaper's breach was willful, and he is therefore estopped from denying that his breach is subject to the four-year statute of limitations.
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Factors for determining contract's predominant purpose

Contracts for the sale of goods are governed by Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), while contracts for services are governed by common law. However, some contracts involve the sale of goods and the rendering of services. To determine which law applies to a "mixed" or "hybrid" contract, courts ask whether its predominant purpose was the sale of goods or the rendering of services. The following factors are relevant to this determination:

  • The contract's language
  • The nature of the supplier's business (ie, whether it typically provides goods or services)
  • The relative value of the goods and services
  • The nature of the final product (ie, whether it can be described as a good or service)

Here, the building owner contracted to buy goods (eg, trees, shrubs, sod) and services (ie, designing and installing the landscaping). The owner likely hired the well-known landscaper due to his skill in performing landscaping services, and the $5,000 budget for goods was just one-sixth of the $30,000 contract price. Therefore, the contract primarily calls for services and is subject to the jurisdiction's two-year statute of limitations. And since the owner sued three years after the breach, the owner cannot recover damages from the landscaper.

(Choice A) The predominant-purpose test is unnecessary when a contract is divisible—ie, when the payment for goods can easily be separated from the payment for services. But here, the contract is likely indivisible since it combined the sale of the trees, shrubs, and sod with their installation.

(Choices C & D) The predominant-purpose test focuses on the parties' reason for entering the contract—not for breaching it. Therefore, it is irrelevant that the landscaper's breach was (1) a result of an increase in the price of goods or (2) willful.

Educational objective:
Sale-of-goods contracts are governed by the UCC, while services contracts are governed by common law. When a contract calls for the sale of goods AND the rendering of services, the contract's primary purpose determines whether the UCC or common law applies.

Bluebook Citations :

  • Bonebrake v. Cox, 499 F.2d 951, 960 (8th Cir. 1974) (applying the predominant-purpose test to determine which statute of limitations applies to a mixed contract for goods and services).
  • Princess Cruises, Inc. v. Gen. Elec. Co., 143 F.3d 828, 833 (4th Cir. 1998) (listing factors that courts consider when applying the predominant-purpose test).

A man and a woman dated for several weeks. During that time, the man repeatedly asked the woman to have sex. Each time, the woman responded that she would not have sex with the man unless they were married. One evening, the man promised the woman that they would elope the following weekend if she would agree to have sex. The woman agreed and the couple had sex. The following weekend, the man told the woman that he had no intention of eloping and only made that promise to get the woman's consent. The woman reported the man to the police, who later arrested and charged the man with rape.

Is the man guilty of rape?

  1. No, because fraud in factum did not negate the woman's consent.
  2. No, because fraud in the inducement did not negate the woman's consent.
  3. Yes, because the woman's consent was obtained by fraud in factum.
  4. Yes, because the woman's consent was obtained by fraud in the inducement.
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Explanation:

Consent to sexual intercourse obtained by fraud
Type of fraud Definition Effect
In factum
  • Fraud pertains to nature of act—eg, doctor convinces patient that sexual act is part of medical exam
  • Victim is unaware that he/she is consenting to sexual intercourse
Negates victim's consent
In inducement
  • Fraud pertains to what victim knows is an act of sexual intercourse—eg, defendant promises marriage in exchange for sex
  • Victim is aware that he/she is consenting to sexual intercourse
Does not negate victim's consent

In most modern jurisdictions, rape is defined as sexual intercourse with another without that person's consent.* This means that rape did not occur if the victim consented to sexual intercourse. However, a victim's consent may be ineffective if it was obtained by fraud. There are two types of fraud:

  • Fraud in factum – when consent is obtained by fraud regarding the nature of the act itself, leaving the victim unaware that he/she consented to sexual intercourse and negating the victim's consent
  • Fraud in the inducement – when consent is obtained by fraud regarding what the victim knows is an act of sexual intercourse, which does not negate the victim's consent

As a result, consent obtained by fraud in factum is not a valid defense to rape, but consent obtained by fraud in the inducement is a valid defense.

Here, the man falsely promised the woman that they would elope if she agreed to have sex with him. Since the woman knew that the act to which she consented was sexual intercourse, her consent was obtained by fraud in the inducement (Choices A & C). This type of fraud did not negate the woman's consent, so the man is not guilty of rape (Choice D).

*At common law, rape was defined as (1) unlawful sexual intercourse (2) with a female who is not the defendant's wife (3) against her will by force or threat of force.

Educational objective:
Fraud in factum occurs when the fraud pertains to the nature of the act itself and negates a rape victim's consent. In contrast, fraud in the inducement occurs when fraud is used to gain consent to what the victim knows is an act of sexual intercourse and does not negate the victim's consent.

A plaintiff sued a defendant for negligence to recover damages that the plaintiff suffered as a result of a crash between the two parties. At trial, the plaintiff's attorney called the plaintiff's wife to testify as to what she witnessed on the day of the crash. On cross-examination of the wife, the defendant's lawyer elicited several responses that tended to show that the plaintiff's actions constituted contributory negligence. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to ask the wife several questions on redirect examination, but the defendant's attorney objected.

What is the strongest argument that the court must allow redirect examination of the wife?

  1. The plaintiff's attorney failed to provide all significant information on direct examination.
  2. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to reiterate the necessary elements of the claim.
  3. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to reply to all matters raised on cross-examination.
  4. The plaintiff's attorney seeks to reply to significant new matters raised on cross-examination.
Submit Next Question

Explanation:

Sequence and scope of witness examination

Federal Rule of Evidence 611 gives trial courts the authority to exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of examining witnesses at trial. This includes the discretion to determine whether—and to what extent—redirect examination of witnesses should be permitted. But when a party raises a significant new matter while cross-examining a witness, the court must allow the opposing party to address that matter through redirect examination.

Therefore, the strongest argument for allowing redirect examination of the plaintiff's wife is that the plaintiff's attorney seeks to reply to significant new matters that were raised on cross-examination.

(Choice A) A party is expected to elicit all significant information during direct examination of a witness. Therefore, a court need not permit redirect examination to allow the party to provide information inadvertently omitted on direct examination.

(Choices B & C) Redirect examination is generally limited to significant new matters raised on cross-examination. Therefore, a party is not entitled to redirect examination to (1) reiterate information like the necessary elements of the claim or (2) reply to all matters addressed in cross-examination.

Educational objective:
When a party raises a significant new matter on cross-examination of a witness, the court must allow redirect examination by the opposing party to address that matter.

Bluebook Citations :

  • Fed. R. Evid. 611 (explaining the mode and order of examining witnesses).

Twenty years ago, a man who owned a 20-acre ranch agreed to sell all of his mineral rights to his neighbor. The man executed a warranty deed conveying the mineral estate to the neighbor, who failed to record the deed.

The following year, a woman moved her mobile home onto an undeveloped five-acre portion of the man's ranch. After the woman had lived on the property for 10 years, a local drilling company began operations on a nearby tract to drill a natural gas well. Believing that the woman owned the property, the drilling company approached the woman about leasing the mineral rights on her property and requested that the woman sign a lease of her mineral rights. The woman signed the lease as requested, and it was promptly and properly recorded. The drilling operations were successful, and the drilling company prepared to distribute profits from royalties. However, a dispute arose between the neighbor and the woman, as both parties claim ownership of the minerals.

The period of time to acquire title by adverse possession in the jurisdiction is 10 years.

In an action to determine title, is the court likely to award title to the mineral estate to the woman?

  1. No, because the woman actually possessed only the surface estate that had previously been severed from the mineral estate.
  2. No, because the woman did not actually possess the mineral estate until she signed the lease of the mineral rights.
  3. Yes, because the neighbor failed to record the warranty deed conveying the mineral estate.
  4. Yes, because the woman adversely possessed both the surface estate and the mineral estate for the statutory period.
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Explanation:

Adverse possession of a mineral state

An adverse possessor can acquire title to land owned by another if his/her possession of the land is:

  • Open and notorious – apparent or visible to a reasonable owner
  • Continuous – uninterrupted for the statutory period
  • Exclusive – not shared with the owner
  • Actual – physical presence on the land and
  • Nonpermissive – hostile and adverse to the owner.

If the surface and mineral estates are owned by the same party, then the adverse possessor will acquire title to both estates—even if only one estate is actually possessed. But if the mineral estate has been severed from the surface estate (ie, the surface and mineral estates are owned by different parties), then the adverse possessor will only acquire title to the estate that is actually possessed. The mineral estate is actually possessed when the adverse possessor mines or drills wells on the land.

Here, the neighbor purchased the mineral estate from the man, thereby severing the mineral estate from the surface estate. And since the woman merely lived on the property for the 10-year statutory period—she did not attempt to mine or drill a well on the mineral estate—she actually possessed only the surface estate during that time (Choice D). This means that the woman did not adversely possess the mineral estate, and the court is not likely to award her title to that estate.

(Choice B) Adverse possession of a mineral estate requires the commencement of drilling or mining operations. Merely signing a lease of the mineral rights is not enough.

(Choice C) A deed need not be recorded to be valid, so the neighbor's failure to record has no impact on whether the woman adversely possessed the mineral estate.

Educational objective:
If a mineral estate has previously been severed from the surface estate (ie, surface and minerals owned by different persons), then an adverse possessor can only acquire title to the mineral estate by actually possessing the minerals (eg, by mining or drilling wells).

A teenager was riding a bicycle when she saw a classmate walking toward her. The teenager rode quickly toward the classmate, knowing that he would think she would run into him on her current trajectory. The teenager was not purposefully trying to harm or touch him. The classmate saw the teenager riding toward him and yelled at her to stop. The teenager swerved at the last moment and avoided hitting him. The classmate had a panic attack because he thought that the teenager would hit him.

Is the classmate likely to succeed if he sues the teenager for assault?

  1. No, because the teenager did not make contact with the classmate.
  2. No, because the teenager did not purposefully try to harm or touch the classmate.
  3. Yes, because the teenager acted with the requisite intent.
  4. Yes, because the teenager's conduct was extreme and outrageous.
Submit

Explanation:

Two types of intent

Assault occurs when (1) a defendant intends to cause the plaintiff to anticipate an imminent, and harmful or offensive, contact with the plaintiff's person and (2) the defendant's affirmative conduct causes the plaintiff to anticipate such contact. The intent requirement is met when the defendant acts with either:

  • purpose – the desire to cause anticipation of an imminent harmful or offensive contact or
  • knowledge – the substantial certainty that the plaintiff will suffer such anticipation.

Here, the teenager rode her bicycle directly at her classmate, causing him to think that she would hit him (anticipation of imminent contact). And since the teenager knew with substantial certainty that the classmate would think she would run into him, she acted with the requisite intent. As a result, the classmate is likely to succeed in a suit against the teenager for assault.

(Choice A) Assault merely requires that the plaintiff be placed in anticipation of imminent contact. Actual bodily contact is not required. Therefore, the fact that the teenager did not make contact with the classmate is irrelevant.

(Choice B) The intent to make contact with the plaintiff is a requirement for battery, but assault merely requires the intent to cause the plaintiff to anticipate imminent contact. Therefore, the fact that the teenager did not purposefully try to harm or touch the classmate does not absolve her of liability for assault.

(Choice D) Extreme and outrageous conduct (i.e., conduct that is unacceptable in civilized society) is an element of intentional infliction of emotional distress—not assault, which only requires intentional conduct.

Educational objective:
For assault, intent exists when a defendant acts with the purpose (desire) or knowledge (substantial certainty) that his/her conduct will cause the plaintiff to anticipate an imminent, and harmful or offensive, contact.

Bluebook Citations :
  • Restatement (Third) of Torts: Intentional Torts to Persons § 105 (Am. L. Inst., Tentative Draft No. 1, 2015) (providing the elements for assault).

Take a look at a typical competitor sample question. Their practice questions might parody the exam, but ours consistently meet or exceed exam-level difficulty. Their limited explanations address the correct answer choice but do not go the extra mile to explain the wrong choices – so you don’t make the same mistakes on exam day.

A mother gave her land to her two kids, a son, and a daughter, as joint tenants. The son built two adjoining homes on the land. He lived in one house and rented the other. The daughter lived out of the country and never visited the land. The daughter needed money, so she sold her interest in the land to her ex-boyfriend. Her ex-boyfriend immediately hired a developer to build a third home on the land. Soon after the daughter had sold her interest in the land, she was killed in a motorcycle accident. The ex-boyfriend is now asking the court for a judicial partition of the land. The son contends that upon his sister's death, he was now the sole owner of the land.

How should the court rule?

  1. For the ex-boyfriend, because he plans to live on the land.
  2. For the ex-boyfriend, because he paid for the son’s interest in the land.
  3. For the son, because he has the right of survivorship.
  4. For the son, because he has the sole position of the land.
Submit

Explanation:

Correct answer: B

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North Dakota Bar Exam Requirements

To sit for the North Dakota Bar Exam, you must meet specific educational and certification requirements, which vary depending on whether you’re a law school student, foreign-educated lawyer, or seeking admission on motion through reciprocity.

Law School Students

To sit for the North Dakota Bar Exam, law school students must:

  • Complete Law Student Registration by October 1 of the second year of law school or within 14 months of starting law school.
  • Graduate with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or equivalent from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Foreigner Law School Students

Graduates of foreign law schools are not eligible for admission by examination. 

Admission on Motion (Reciprocity) 

North Dakota does not have direct reciprocity with any other state. However, admission on motion is allowed for attorneys from other U.S. jurisdictions who:

  • Have a J.D. or equivalent degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
  • Have been a member in good standing of the bar of another U.S. jurisdiction for at least 5 years.
  • Demonstrate competency in the practice of law for 4 of the last 5 years.
  • Complete a character and fitness investigation through the NCBE.
  • Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE®) with a score of at least 85.

UBE Score Transfer

To apply for admission to the North Dakota Bar by transferring your UBE score, you must:

  • Have a J.D. or equivalent degree from an ABA-accredited or provisionally accredited law school.
  • Achieve a UBE scaled score of 260 or higher.
  • File the application within 2 years of the UBE examination date.
  • Complete a character and fitness investigation through the NCBE.
  • Pass the MPRE with a score of at least 85. 

Scheduling

To schedule your appointment for the North Dakota Bar Exam, follow these steps:

  1. Review the North Dakota Rules for Admission to ensure you meet eligibility requirements.
  2. Complete the NCBE character and fitness application online through the NCBE website.
  3. Arrange for third-party documents (such as transcripts, references, and employer letters) to be sent directly to the North Dakota Board of Law Examiners.
  4. Submit the Testing Accommodations Form if you require special arrangements.
  5. Wait for confirmation of your eligibility to sit for the exam, which will be sent at least 2 weeks before the exam date.
  6. Ensure all fees are paid separately to the NCBE and North Dakota Board of Law Examiners.
  7. Check your primary email regularly for updates and communications from the board.

North Dakota Bar Exam Deadlines, Fees, and Cost-Saving Options

Mark the dates and deadlines shown below on your calendar and review the eligibility requirements. Save yourself some stress and a potential $150 late fee by collecting the proper documentation and submitting your application early. 

Exam Dates and Deadlines

Applications must be postmarked by the deadline.

Filing Deadline February 27-28, 2025 July 30-31, 2025
First October 1, 2024 March 15, 2025
Final November 1, 2024 May 1, 2025

Fees

North Dakota requires law students to file a registration application for the bar exam by October 1 of their second year of law school or 14 months after their first day of law school. If you don’t register, you’ll have to pay an additional $400 fee, for a total of $550.

Application Fees
Registered $150
Not registered $550
Repeat taker $150
Attorney $150
Late +$150
Admission on motion $400
UBE transfer $400
Laptop registration $110
NCBE character and fitness Schedule

Payment Policies

Fees payable to NCBE and the North Dakota Board of Law Examiners must be paid separately. No late fee is charged if a retake applicant is applying for the exam immediately following the one they were unsuccessful in. A late fee applies if the retake is beyond the exam immediately following the failed one.

Cost-Saving Options

Scholarships and grants are available to help North Dakota law students and graduates with legal education and bar exam costs.

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North Dakota Bar Exam Scoring and Grading

North Dakota’s minimum passing score is 260. Since the UBE is divided into 2 equally weighted sections — writing (MPT/MEE) and the MBE — you should aim for a 130 on each section. 

However, you do not need to score 260 on each section to pass the North Dakota Bar Exam. For example, an exceptional MBE score can balance out a subpar score on the writing section. What's important is that the sum of your 2 scores is 260 or higher.

Component weights:

  • MBE: 50%
  • MEE: 30%
  • MPT: 20%

North Dakota Bar Exam Results and Pass Rates

You'll notice that the North Dakota Bar Exam's repeater pass rates are substantially lower than the first-timer pass rates. This discrepancy between first-timer and repeater pass rates is common across all jurisdictions and is likely because many who fail their first bar exam don't change how they study.

Exam Overall Pass Rate First-Timer Pass Rate Repeater Pass Rate Results Release Date
July 2024 69% 71% 56% September 5
Feb. 2024 61% 63% 58% April 9

Results are typically released 7 weeks after an exam administration. Below are the pass rates for the past 7 years.

Other North Dakota Bar Requirements 

To obtain licensure and keep it, you must fulfill additional requirements beyond passing the bar exam, namely passing the MPRE and completing continuing learning education (CLE) requirements. 

MPRE Requirements and Fees

The MPRE is a 2-hour exam with 60 multiple-choice questions on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. You need a score of 85 or higher, which must be earned within 2 years of your bar application. Scores older than 5 years won't be accepted. You can register for the MPRE through the NCBE.

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Post-Admission Continuing Legal Education

North Dakota requires mandatory post-admission CLE. Attorneys must complete 45 hours of CLE every 3 years, including 3 hours in legal ethics. Up to 30 hours may be completed through self-study. Any credits in excess of the 45-hour minimum can carry forward up to 15 hours to the next period, but ethics credits cannot be carried over. 

North Dakota Board of Bar Examiners Contact Details

Phone Number 701-328-4201
Contact List [email protected]
Mailing Address State Board of Law Examiners
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505-0530

North Dakota Bar Exam Testing Locations

The 2025 North Dakota bar exam will take place in Bismarck, North Dakota. The specific location is announced shortly before the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

The North Dakota Bar Exam comprises 12 testing hours divided equally between 2 days.

You must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school to take the North Dakota Bar Exam. Please see the requirements section for details.

The North Dakota Bar Exam is as hard as the bar exam of the 41 other jurisdictions that have adopted the UBE.

The timely filing deadline for the North Dakota Bar Exam application is October 1, 2024, for the February 2025 exam and March 15, 2025, for the July 2025 exam. Application fees range from $150 to $700.

North Dakota allows 6 UBE attempts.

Retaking the North Dakota Bar exam costs $150 — or $300 if filed late.

The minimum passing UBE score for North Dakota is 260.

The maximum age for the UBE score in North Dakota is 2 years from the date you took the exam in another jurisdiction.

No. You cannot transfer your MBE score from another jurisdiction to North Dakota.

Attorneys from other U.S. jurisdictions with 5 years of bar membership, 4 years of recent legal practice, a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, a completed NCBE character investigation, and an MPRE score of 85 or higher can apply for admission on motion.

We recommend dedicating 400 study hours to the North Dakota Bar Exam. Most students begin studying 8-10 weeks before their exam’s administration. However, starting sooner may aid retention and decrease burnout, so we recommend starting as early as 4-6 months out, especially if you work full-time.

No. You cannot practice law without a law degree in North Dakota.

The typical path to becoming a licensed attorney in North Dakota is as follows: earn an undergraduate degree, pass the LSAT, earn a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, be deemed of good moral character and fitness, pass the MPRE, pass the bar exam, and be approved for admission to the bar.

You may be admitted without examination to the North Dakota Bar if you’ve been actively engaged in the practice of law and meet these requirements.

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