Library Guides: Bar Exam Preparation: General Information

News and Updates

NCBE News

NextGen Bar Exam

Set to debut in July 2026, the NextGen bar exam will test a broad range of foundational lawyering skills, utilizing a focused set of clearly identified fundamental legal concepts and principles needed in today’s practice of law. Click the link below to read more about the NextGen bar exam, and to see the jurisdictions that have adopted the NextGen bar exam. Maryland is one of the first jurisdictions to administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2026.

General Information

Bar admission is regulated by each state's board of bar examiners. Bar requirements are state-specific and vary from state to state, so it's important to check the requirements for the jurisdiction in which you plan to practice law.

National Conference of Bar Examiners
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is the organization that produces the five multistate bar examinations. The NCBE site contains a wealth of information and should be at the top of your bar prep resource list.
NCBE Jurisdiction Information
Contains a summary of bar admission information specific to each jurisdiction and contact information for its bar admission agency.
NCBE Bar Admissions Guide
This publication is produced annually by the NCBE in collaboration with the ABA. It contains current information on bar admission requirements in all U.S. jurisdictions, including a directory of state bar admission agencies. It is available in pdf for free at the link above.
ABA Bar Admissions Information
This page contains a useful overview and information on the multistate exams.
Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements
The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements is a joint work product of the National Conference of Bar Examiners and the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
District of Columbia Committee on Admissions
Maryland Board of Law Examiners
Virginia Board of Bar Examiners

About the Multistate Exams

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) produces five multistate bar examinations. Each state determines which of the tests it will use. States may also have a state-specific component.

Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)
A bar examination coordinated by NCBE that is uniformly administered, graded, and scored by user jurisdictions and results in a portable score. It is composed of the MEE, two MPT tasks, and the MBE.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
The MPRE is administered separately, in March, August, and November. It is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice examination designed to measure knowledge and understanding of established standards related to a lawyer’s professional conduct.
Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
A six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice examination developed by NCBE covering Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
An examination developed by NCBE consisting of 90-minute tasks requiring the application of fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation. Skills tested are factual analysis, legal analysis and reasoning, problem solving, identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas, written communication, and organization and management of a legal task.
Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
An examination developed by NCBE consisting of 30-minute essay questions. Areas of law tested are Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including Article 2 [Sales] of the Uniform Commercial Code), Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates, and Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Character and Fitness

NCBE Character & Fitness
Background investigations are a part of the admission process for all jurisdictions. NCBE conducts investigations and hosts applications for many jurisdictions, but not all jurisdictions use NCBE services.
Advising Applicants on the Character and Fitness Process
The Bar Examiner (Spring 2022)
Encouraging Applicant Candor on Law School Applications
The Bar Examiner (Spring 2021)