2.04. Requirements: Pass State Bar Examination

All but one state requires that applicants pass a state bar examination.  Every state gives a bar examination.  The exam is 2-3 days and consists of a combination of questions that focus on state-specific issues and questions that focus on general principles of law.  This, of course, is in addition to the MPRE – which all states but two require.  Wisconsin is currently the only state that has what is called a diploma privilege. For those who graduate from law schools in Wisconsin, they do not have to take the bar examination. The state bar association in Iowa pressed for adoption of the diploma privilege in that state, arguing that it would assist law graduates by allowing them to immediately begin working after graduation instead of having to wait months until they get their bar exam results. In September 2014, after having hearings on the issue, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected the diploma privilege petition.   

The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) is another issue that is currently gaining traction with states.  The UBE is the wave of the future. Currently it has been adopted by 35 jurisdictions (33 states and the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands).  The states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.  This list is constantly changing – with more and more states adopting the UBE.  For a description of the Uniform Bar Exam, see http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/ube. The test consists of the MBE (multi-state multiple choice), six MEE’s (multi-state essays), two MPTs (multi-state performance test), and possibly state specific essays/multiple-choice questions.  The key benefit is that the UBE score is portable between UBE states.  That means that states that accept the UBE will accept the Multi-state portion of the exam (so you do not have to retake it) – requiring you only to take any state-specific portion of the exam.  If the state does not adopt a state-specific section, then all you have to do is to submit your scores and pass the character and fitness standard.  It is important to note, however, thatUBE states each have different time limits for accepting the UBE score.  For example, the maximum age of a UBE score that Alabama will accept is twenty-five months, while in Nebraska it is sixty months.[1]

[1] Everything you could want to know about the UBE is available at the UBE website: http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube/