UBE States

As many (if not all) of you are aware, most states are ditching the traditional state-specific bar exam to do the Uniform Bar Examination. This exam includes the MBE, MPT, and MEE. It is graded uniformly and consistently across the board so your grades won’t vary state to state. However, each state has to right to choose their own passing score.  So I’ve compiled a list of UBE states and their current (as of 2018) passing scores.

Taking the exam in a UBE state can be beneficial in a lot of ways. For Example:

1. SITUATION #1 ~ you take the UBE in State 1 and fail. But your score was good enough to pass in UBE State 2. Yay! You can transfer your score over to that state where your score was good enough, and (assuming you meet all their other requirements), you should be able to bar in there instead). 🙂 (For more specific detes, check out the website here.)
2. SITUATION #2 ~ You take the UBE in State 1 in 2015. State 2 moves over to the UBE in 2017. Yay! You can now transfer your old UBE score over to State 2 and bar in there (assuming you took the bar recent enough to meet State 2’s time limitations rule). (For more specific detes, check out the website here.)
3. SITUATION #3 ~ You take the UBE in State 1, and later you want to transfer your MBE scores to a non-UBE State 2. Yay! So long as the state accepts transferred MBE scores, you should be able to do that (JUST MAKE SURE FIRST!) (For more specific detes, check out the website here.)

Notes 

(Based on NCBE Instructions)

• To Transfer UBE scores, you must take the entire exam at one time. You cannot mix and match scores. 
• To Transfer UBE scores, you must take the exam in a current UBE state.

So which states are UBE and what is their required Passing Score? (Scores for passing are the same as those required for transfers unless otherwise noted).  Well, as of July 2019:

1. Alabama (260) -July 2011
   1. EVERYONE:
      1. Online course in Alabama specific law is required for transferring UBE score in.
      2. MPRE must have been earned within 12 months before the UBE was taken.
   2. TRANSFER:
      1. Cannot transfer scores older than 25 months.
2. Alaska (280) – July 2014
   1. EVERYONE
      1. MPRE must be passed within 8 years of the application.
   2. TRANSFER
      1. Cannot transfer scores older than 5 years.
3. Arizona (273) –  July 2012
   1. EVERYONE
      1. Online course in Arizona specific law is required for ALL exam takers.
      2. MPRE must be earned within 5 years before or 2 years after passing the UBE.
   2. TRANSFER
      1. Cannot transfer scores older than 5 years. 
4. Arkansas (270) – February 2020
   1. EVERYONE
      1. MPRE must be passed within 3 years before or one year after the bar exam
   2. TRANSFER
      1. Cannot transfer scores older than 3 years
5. Colorado (276) -February 2012
   1. EVERYONE
      1. MPRE can be no older than 2 years at the time of application (you can apply and then take the MPRE though).
   2. TRANSFER
      1. Cannot transfer scores younger than 3 years or older that 5 years. Must have done 2 years of active law practice before transferring.
6. Connecticut (266) – February 2017
   1. EVERYONE
      1. MPRE can be no older than 4 years at the time of application, and you have one year after the application.
   2. TRANSFER
      1. Cannot transfer scores older than 3 years.
7. D.C, Washington (266)- March 2016
   1. To transfer your scores, they must be less than 5 years old. 
8. Idaho (272 / 280) – February 2012
   1. EVERYONE
      1. As of February 2017, you need a 272.
   2. TRANSFER
      1. If you took the UBE before February 2017, you must have a score of 280!.  If you take the UBE after February 2017, a score of 272 will be enough.
      2. To transfer your scores, they must be less than 37 months old.
9. Illinois (266) ~ July 2019
   1. TRANSFER
      1. Cannot transfer scores older than 4 years.
10. Iowa (266)- February 2016
    1. Cannot transfer scores younger than 2 years or older than 5 years. You must have been actively practicing law for 2 of the 3 years preceding your application.
11. Kansas (266)- February 2016
    1. UBE score must be obtained within 36 months of applying to TRANSFER score in.
12. Maine (270) -July 2017
    1. UBE scores cannot be transferred after 3 years. UBE score cannot be older than July 2014. 
13. Maryland (266) – July 2019
    1. UBE scores can be transferred after 3 years.
    2. All applicants must complete the Maryland law component
14. Massachusetts (270) – July 2018
    1. EVERYONE
       1. All takers must complete a separate online multiple choice exam on Massachusetts law and procedure.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE transfer score will be 270 (according to the current NCBE records).
       2. UBE score must be obtained within 36 months of applying to TRANSFER score in.
15. Minnesota (260)-February 2014
    1. UBE transfer score can be no older than 36 months.
16. Missouri (260)-February 2011
    1. EVERYONE
       1. Must pass the MECT exam (open-book, online exam) as well as UBE (for everyone)
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE score must be obtained within 24 months before the application for transfer.
17. Montana (266)- July 2013
    1. EVERYONE
       1. There will be a Montana Law class offered the day after the bar exam, required for everyone
       2. As long as your MPRE score is 80+, it’s good for three years.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. No one can transfer in scores after 3 years.
18. Nebraska (270)- February 2013
    1. EVERYONE
       1. Your MPRE score can be no older than 5 years.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE score must be obtained within 3 years before the application for transfer.
19. New Hampshire (270)-February 2014
    1. TRANSFER
       1. If you apply for transfer between 3-5 years after taking the bar exam, must show that you were practicing law actively for 2 years consequetively. 
20. New Jersey (266)-February 2017
    1. EVERYONE
       1. No time limit for the MPRE AND you can satisfy their requirement by taking an approved ethics course. 🙂
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE scores can be no older than 36 months.
21. New Mexico (260)-February 2016
    1. EVERYONE
       1. There will be a required one-day course on New Mexico law for everyone
       2. The MPRE must be less than 5 years before or 1 year after passing the UBE exam.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE score must be obtained within 36 months before the application for transfer.
22. New York (266)- July 2016
    1. EVERYONE
       1. There is an online class (NYLC) and a required exam (NYLE) for all takers or transferees.
       2. MPRE must be taken within 3 years before or 3 years after the bar exam is passed.
    2. TRANFER
       1. UBE must be transfered within 3 years of the second day of the exam (specific 😛 )
23. North Carolina (270) — February 2019
    1. EVERYONE
       1. All applicants including transfer and normal must complete the UBE North Carolina state specific component including 6 one-hour video courses on North Carolina Law and essays with each video
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE score must be obtained within 36 months before the application for transfer
24. North Dakota (260)- February 2011
    1. EVERYONE
       1. The MPRE can be no older than 5 years at the time of application.  If taken AFTER the application is sent, you have to get an 85+ within two years or the application will be thrown away.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE must be transferred within 2 years of the exam.
25. Ohio (270)– July 2020
    1. TRANSFER
       1. Score cannot be older than 5 years 
26. Oregon (274)- July 2017
    1. EVERYONE
       1. The MPRE must be an 85+ and must be taken within 2 years of passing the UBE.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE scores can be no older than 3 years old.
27. Rhode Island (276) –February 2019
    1. TRANSFER
       1. Scores must be attained AFTER February 2019
       2. Scores will be accepted up to two years after application to Rhode Island Bar
       3. If a taker fails the UBE exam (does not attain a 276) five times, they will be unable to transfer scores into Rhode Island
28. South Carolina (266)- February 2017
    1. EVERYONE
       1. There is a required course on South Carolina law that you need to complete before taking the bar exam or transferring in.
       2. MPRE must be taken within 3 years.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. You must transfer the score within three years of taking the exam.  For those taking it in February, the timing starts counting from March 1. For those taking it in July, the timing starts counting from August 
29. Tennessee (270) — February 2019
    1. EVERYONE:
       1. Must complete the Tennessee Law course available online.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. Transfer is normally limited to 3 years from release of grades.
       2. If applicant has been engaged in the active practice of law for 3-5 years, it may be extended to 5 years
30. Texas (TBD) – February 2021
31. Utah (270)- February 2013
    1. You can transfer any UBE passing score within 2 Years of the exam.  If your score is between 2 years and 5 years, you must prove full time legal practice.
32. Vermont (270)-July 2016
    1. EVERYONE
       1. MPRE is required either within 3 years before taking the UBE or 1 year after learning you PASSED the UBE.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE score must be less than 3 years.  If between 3 years and 5 years, you must prove that you worked in the legal field for 2 years.
33. Washington (270)- July 2013
    1. EVERYONE
       1. There is a required open-book, timed exam (WLC) everyone must take. 
       2. MPRE is required to be taken within 3 years before or 40 months after the UBE.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE score can be no older than 40 months.
34. West Virginia (270)- July 2017
    1. EVERYONE
       1. MPRE must be taken within 25 months of taking the UBE.
    2. TRANSFER
       1. UBE scores must be less than 3 years old. 
35. Wyoming (270)-July 2013
    1. UBE score can be no older than 3 years. 
36. Virgin Islands (266)- July 2017
    1. UBE score can be no older than 3 years.

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