Lawyer Licensure

State bar examinations are offered twice a year, at the end of February and at the end of July. Typically, they are two six-hour days of testing. The format varies by jurisdiction, but may include:

MBE: The Multistate Bar Examination is a six-hour, 200-question multiple choice examination that covers Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, Real Property, Evidence, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Federal Civil Procedure.

MEE: The Multistate Essay Examination is a three-hour, six-question essay examination that covers the following subjects – Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates, and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

MPT: The Multistate Performance Test consists of two 90-minute skills questions. Applicants receive a case file and library and must complete a written assignment. The MPT is designed to test applicants on their ability to provide legal and factual analyses, engage in problem solving, resolve ethical dilemmas, communicate effectively, and complete a lawyering task within the time constraints.

State-specific Essays: Subjects tested on the essay portion of bar exams vary by jurisdiction. Jurisdictions may use the MEE for the essay portion of the exam, or the jurisdiction may draft its own essays.

Uniform Bar Examination (UBE): Many BU Law graduates go into jurisdictions where the UBE is administered. The UBE is composed of three sections: the MBE, MEE, and MPT and currently allows for score transferability between more than 40 states.

NextGen Bar Exam: Beginning July 2026, some jurisdictions will begin administering the NextGen Bar Exam. The NextGen Bar will test fewer areas of law and use integrated question sets rather than distinct tests, such as the MEE and MBE. The standard administration is also planned to be shorter, with nine hours of testing over 1.5 days. Learn more about the NextGen Bar Exam here.

In addition to a two-day, and or at most 3-day, standard bar exam administered in February or July each year, many states will also require applicants to complete additional state-specific requirements, such as the Massachusetts Law Component or the New York Law Course and the New York Law exam.

While the most common way for law school graduates to become licensed lawyers is by passing a bar exam, some jurisdictions do provide one or more alternate routes to licensure. These pathways are designed to ensure applicants demonstrate their competency without the need for a traditional bar exam. Alternative routes may include:

• Supervised Practice or Apprenticeships: Applicants may complete a supervised practice or apprenticeship under the mentorship of a licensed attorney or judge. This pathway typically requires a defined number of hours or months of work in a legal setting.
• Curriculum-Based Qualification: Some jurisdictions allow licensure based on successful completion of a specific curriculum during law school, often supplemented with practical training components such as clinics or externships.

• Portfolio Review: Certain jurisdictions may require a portfolio review in addition to or instead of a bar exam, where applicants submit evidence of their legal skills and experience.

To learn if an alternative pathway is available in your chosen jurisdiction, it is best to review the jurisdiction’s regulatory agency’s website and their admission rules and regulations. The option of taking a bar exam while still enrolled in law school is discussed below, as this would still require successfully passing a bar exam.

1. First, choose the jurisdiction(s) where you will take the bar exam.
2. Go to the jurisdiction(s) bar admission website to understand its admission requirements, rules and deadlines. To find these requirements, visit the NCBE webpage on “Jurisdictions” and select your jurisdiction within the chart on that page.
3. Register with the NCBE and sit for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) as a 2L or 3L; if the MPRE is required by your intended jurisdiction.
4. Review your jurisdiction’s admission application materials, especially as related to Character and Fitness requirements, and begin gathering documents for the application by the start of your third year of law school.
5. Finally, submit your application(s) to take your bar exam(s). Be aware of deadlines. If applicable, file for disability accommodations. Disability accommodations typically require an earlier and separate application filing.

Deciding where to take the bar exam is generally determined by an applicant’s intended location of practice. Where a bar applicant may be considering multiple possible sites for practice, the applicant would be advised to consider taking a Uniform Bar Exam, which will facilitate practice in multiple jurisdictions, or taking more than one bar exam in succession; first in July, followed by another in February. Please note that many states have additional requirements for admission than just the bar exam and the bar application. Additional requirements can include a state-specific testing component done at a separate time, or specific trainings on areas of law or topics affecting lawyers, such as the misuse of substances. For those who are unsure of where they may practice, we encourage you to make an appointment with Associate Dean Gerry Muir or Mark Fong (JD ’24) to discuss the factors you should consider when selecting a jurisdiction to sit for the bar exam. Keep in mind that regardless of the status of your job search, it is important to take the bar exam to maximize your career opportunities.

New York State Applicants

Boston University School of Law provides an exemplary education and has the highest level of confidence in the competence of our graduates for legal work. In compliance with Section 520.18 of the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law, review the School of Law’s educational plan.

The MPRE is a two-hour, 60-question multiple choice exam designed to measure the examinee’s knowledge and understanding of established standards related to a lawyer’s professional conduct. MPRE registration costs $160. Some jurisdictions (including Massachusetts and Rhode Island) require a certain passing score on the MPRE before an applicant is eligible to apply to their bar exam. Yet, some jurisdictions allow applicants to pass the MPRE after taking their bar exam, but before applying for admission to the state bar (including New York and Connecticut). Students should check with the jurisdiction in which they plan to take the bar exam and practice for specific MPRE score requirements, as the requirements vary by jurisdiction. Online registration for the MPRE requires an account with the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Students may take the MPRE in any jurisdiction where it is offered. Students should retain copies of their official score in order to provide it with their bar application materials.  Click here for information on MPRE registration.

• When to Take the MPRE: The MPRE is offered nationwide each spring, summer and fall; typically, March, August, and November. BU Law recommends taking the MPRE in the spring semester of 2L year or fall semester of 3L year to receive the score required for bar application eligibility in any chosen jurisdiction. Students who wait to complete the MPRE in their last semester risk not receiving their scores in time to apply for the bar exam, or admission, in their chosen jurisdiction. Students are encouraged to register early for the MPRE to get their preferred test locations. It is not necessary to have taken the School of Law’s Professional Responsibility course before taking the MPRE. Bar review companies offer MPRE review courses at no charge. The BU Law Pappas & Fineman Libraries also have MPRE-preparation materials available for our students’ use.
• Testing Centers and Registration Timing: The MPRE is administered as a computer-based test at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the United States. Applicants will not be guaranteed placement at a center that is closest to their residence, and as such, all students are strongly encouraged to register as early as possible for the MPRE administration for which they plan to attend. Students seeking testing accommodations are especially encouraged to apply early. The MPRE typically requires students to apply for accommodations a minimum of three months before the test date. To manage the volume of students taking the exam, six exam dates are provided, versus the previous three primary exam dates.

• Requesting Disability Accommodations for the MPRE: Applicants for the MPRE must apply for accommodations and receive their determination BEFORE they are eligible to schedule an MPRE test appointment. Accommodations will not be added to an existing registration. The accommodation process may take 25 business days, or more to complete. Apply early.

Key Take-Away: Take the MPRE spring 2L or fall 3L to ensure bar application eligibility. If studying abroad, consider taking the MPRE before you begin your academic travel.

Character & Fitness refers to an applicant’s past conduct and ability to properly fulfill the responsibilities of a lawyer. State bar examiners will ask about an applicant’s character and fitness as a prerequisite to licensure. Applicants are required to provide detailed information about their background. Examples of topics a state may ask about include:

• Academic or disciplinary actions during law school.
• Employment history, including any terminations or performance concerns.
• Criminal history, such as arrests, charges, or convictions—even those expunged in some jurisdictions.
• Financial records, including debts, bankruptcies, or unpaid judgments.
• Litigation history.
• Substance Abuse or Mental Health
• Driving History

Please review your state’s Character & Fitness requirements as early as possible and begin gathering supporting documentation as this process is time-consuming. Some jurisdictions require copies of transcripts, which may take weeks to obtain. Increasingly, state bar examiners ask for a copy of an applicant’s law school application to review for consistency with the applicant’s application for bar admission. BU Law graduates’ application materials are available at the Law Registrar’s Office.

Best Practices for Character & Fitness

Do not omit information because you fear that the information will result in denial of your admission application. A failure to truthfully answer the questions posed is often considered a character and fitness violation and is likely to cause more difficulty in admission than the incident itself. The bar examiners are looking to understand your experience, and how it may affect your future practice, either as an example of personal growth and learning, or as a consideration for admission.

Citizenship and Identification

Please note that some states, such as Florida, Maryland, and Texas, require proof of your citizenship, Social Security Number (SSN) or immigration status. States may request copies of your birth certificate, passport, or other USCIS documentation. Additionally, some of the states that request your Social Security Number may provide an SSN exemption.

Please contact Associate Dean Gerry Muir for any questions or concerns regarding character and fitness for bar admission. For Massachusetts bar admission issues related to character and fitness, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is an additional helpful resource. Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers provides confidential assistance to attorneys, law students and judges. Every state has a similar program. Feel free to contact the program in the state where you will be applying for bar admission. The complete list of programs by state can be found here.

Accommodations  for the MPRE

Students who will be applying for disability accommodations for the MPRE must request and receive approval for their accommodations prior to registering and scheduling a test appointment with Pearson VUE. The test fee does not need to be paid until the test appointment is scheduled. Anyone who seeks accommodations for the MPRE is encouraged to apply well in advance of their preferred MPRE test administration date(s) to ensure completion of the interactive review process with NCBEX. Please note, if a request for accommodations is not approved, or is only partially approved, the applicant can engage the NCBEX appeal process, which may take an extra 25 business days, or more. More information about requesting accommodations for the MPRE can be found here.

Accommodations for the Bar Exam

Every jurisdiction has its own policies regarding accommodations for the bar exam. Please go to the website of the state where you plan to sit for the exam and familiarize yourself with application requirements and deadlines. General information regarding individual state bar exam requirements can be found here.

Requests for accommodations should be made well in advance of the deadline to allow time for review. Be aware that a few jurisdictions will only accept paper copies of accommodation requests and related supporting documentation. Note whether deadlines for requests and supporting documentation are by postmark or receipt.

If you are requesting accommodations for the bar exam and if the bar authority or the National Conference of Bar Examiners requires the law school to complete a form or submit a letter indicating whether you received accommodations while in law school, please contact Associate Dean Muir or Boston University Disability and Access Services. Note that even if you received accommodations while in law school, the bar authority or the National Conference of Bar Examiners may not necessarily grant accommodations or, if they do, the accommodations may not be what you received in law school. Additionally, bar exam processes may require BU Disability & Access Services, Associate Dean Muir, and your medical provider(s) to verify information regarding the nature of your disability and University accommodations. In some cases, jurisdictions may even require an updated medical evaluation and verification of your disability status.

Several states allow bar applicants to take the bar exam prior to graduating from an ABA-accredited, JD program if the applicants meet certain prerequisites. For example, Vermont provides an early examination option for students who have completed the equivalent of five (5) semesters of full-time study and who will graduate from an approved law school within seven (7) months of sitting for the bar examination. Maryland allows for a student’s actual graduation date to post-date the bar exam “as long as the applicant is ‘unqualifiedly eligible’ for graduation prior to the first day of the bar exam.” New York has the Pro Bono Scholars Program. Through the New York Pro Bono Scholars Program, students spend their last semester of 3L year working full-time on behalf of indigent clients through an externship and can take the February New York bar exam. A benefit of taking the bar exam while enrolled in law school, in addition to substantial savings in living costs and an earlier start to one’s career, is the ability to practice under one’s own license almost immediately upon graduation. For attorneys seeking a litigation or a public service practice, completing the bar exam as a 3L can offer significant benefits.

For a list of the states that provide an option for early examination, please see Chart #1 of the National Conference of Bar Examiners Bar Admission Guide.

BU Law strongly urges everyone to fully complete a commercial bar review course to prepare for the bar exam. While the bar review courses are costly, they provide detailed reviews of subject areas tested on the bar exam, enable students to take practice tests, and to receive feedback on their progress. Completion of a commercial bar review course is not required but significantly increases a student’s chances of success on the bar exam. During the year, student representatives from bar review companies will periodically set up informational tables in the school’s Atrium. Some bar companies provide significant bar course discounts to student representatives at the law school. BU Law strongly encourages students to research the many different bar review courses by speaking with recent graduates, bar review course representatives and employers. For a list of bar review course options, please visit FindLaw’s website. BU Law does not endorse any specific bar review course.

Bar Exam Costs

It can cost thousands of dollars to apply, study and take a state bar exam. All states charge a fee to apply for admission and to take the bar exam. There may be additional fees required to fulfill prerequisites for the exam, including the fee to take the MPRE or to request documentation for character & fitness requirements. Additionally, some states, like Massachusetts, have statutory filing fees that are nonrefundable. During bar study, the cost of living (rent, food, essentials) must be addressed. And bar review companies charge fees that range from several hundred to several thousand dollars to enroll in their course.

Financial Assistance Options

Some private employers will provide a stipend or reimbursement for bar-related expenses. If you have found employment, reach out to your employer and ask what costs (if any) they will cover. For students who will not be reimbursed by an employer, private bar loans are available. Please check with the Law Financial Aid Office for advice on planning for bar costs and information on private bar loan options.

Multiple law school scholarships are listed on the AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank. A number of these scholarships are geared specifically towards financing bar study. Note the eligibility requirements of each scholarship listed to ensure your eligibility.

Financial resources are also available at BU Smart Money. The website includes scholarship searches, workshops on money management, budgeting templates, and other resources that may assist in financial preparation for the bar exam.

Steps After Passing

• Bar Admission Application Completion: Once you pass the bar exam, you will need to finalize your admission application in some states, such as New York. As noted previously, this typically involves submitting additional documentation, such as proof of your MPRE score, Character & Fitness certification, and law school transcripts. Many states have additional requirements, such as attending an admissions ceremony, completing a professionalism course, or passing a state-specific law exam. Deadlines for submission vary by jurisdiction, so be sure to review your state’s requirements.
• Continuing Legal Education: Most state bars require licensed attorneys to complete annual Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits to remain in good standing with the state bar association. CLE requirements vary by state, so please contact your state bar association to ensure successful completion of CLE credits.

Resources for Repeat Test Takers

Many successful attorneys did not pass the bar exam on their first try. If you did not pass the exam, do not give up. We strongly urge you to schedule an appointment with Associate Dean Gerry Muir  or Academic Enrichment Director Lisa Freudenheim to determine what affected your bar exam attempt, what options you have to request additional information about the score received,  and how you can prepare differently for a successful result. If you have accepted a job offer, you will need to notify your employer. Please schedule an appointment with the Career Development Office and they will provide advice on how best to handle the situation. Feel free to reach out to the Career Development Office to discuss next steps in your job search.

Lastly, some bar review courses have policies allowing students who do not succeed on their first attempt to take the course again free of charge or at a reduced rate. Contact the bar review company you used to find out their policy for multiple test takers.

Retrieved from NCBE.

Q. I don’t know where I should take the bar exam. Is there anyone I can talk to about my options?
A. Absolutely. Associate Dean Muir and Professor Freudenheim are both available to discuss bar options with you. Your Career Development advisor may also be a helpful resource.

Q. When should I take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)?
A. BU Law recommends that everyone who is required to take the MPRE do so between spring of their second year and fall of their third year. When an individual student takes the MPRE can be affected by decisions to study abroad or academic/experiential course planning.

The MPRE is offered three times a year, typically March, August and November. Registration for space in Boston is competitive, so students are encouraged to register when it opens for the next calendar year each December. While some jurisdictions allow applicants to complete the MPRE after taking the bar exam, to minimize confusion all students are encouraged to complete this requirement later in the second year, or early in their final year of law study.

Q. I need to take the MPRE in August, but I will not be in Boston. Is that a problem?
A. It should not be a problem, so long as you are in the U.S. The MPRE can be taken at any participating Pearson Vue testing center in the U.S. When registering for the MPRE on the NCBEX.org website, look for the site closest to your location at the time of the exam.

Q. I need to take the MPRE on a day that I have a class. Can I get an excused absence?
A. Class absences are granted by the faculty instructors unless the student is addressing an emergency. Where you are aware of your MPRE testing appointment, you are encouraged to speak with your faculty member as early in the semester as possible to determine the best way forward. With ample notice, most faculty will work with you to facilitate your MPRE exam and your class work. Please note that experiential courses often have limited flexibility due to the representation of clients. If you are unsure about speaking with your professor, please confer with Associate Dean Muir.

Q. I had my MPRE score sent to the jurisdiction where I’m taking the bar. Do I need to keep a copy of the score for myself?
A. Yes, you should download a copy of your MPRE score from your NCBE account when it is available for free. Several jurisdictions require you to submit your MPRE score with your bar application materials, even if your MPRE score was previously submitted to the jurisdiction. If you do not download a copy of your score when it is available, you will be required to pay a $30 fee for an MPRE Unofficial Score Transcript.

Q. When must I file my bar application?
A. Timely filing deadlines vary greatly between jurisdictions. A few jurisdictions encourage registration in the first-year of law school, such as California, others will accept applications within two months of the bar exam administration. The majority of jurisdictions require applications for the July bar to submit their applications at some point between October – May. It is VITAL that all bar applicants research the requirements of their chosen jurisdiction.

Q. How much will applying for the bar exam and bar admission cost?
A. The costs for applying for bar admission through a bar exam vary between jurisdictions. Generally, a bar preparation course will cost between $1,700 – $4,000. Application costs, and supplemental fees (such as technology fees) can vary from several hundred to thousands of dollars. In addition to the cost of study materials, students should plan for living costs, including but not limited to rent, groceries, utilities, travel and other day-to-day expenses. Students are encouraged to make a budget and plan for their financial needs during bar study as early as possible. The Law Financial Aid team are the best advisors and can direct students to various supplemental resources.

Q. Where, or to whom, should I send my bar application’s law school certification forms?
A. Verification of your degree completion, curriculum or any academic matters should be sent to the Law Registrar (Suite 502 or lawreg@bu.edu). Please complete any required applicant-specific information requested on the form before submitting it to the Law Registrar.

Q. I must complete a “Dean’s Certification” form*. Should I send that to the Law Dean’s office?
A. No. All bar application forms, except for employment verifications and recommendations, should be sent to the Law Registrar for completion (lawreg@bu.edu or Suite 502). Please note that the “Dean’s Certification” form is titled differently in some jurisdictions. This can also be titled the  “Certificate of Dean,” “Certificate of Attendance,” “Law School Certification,” “Law School Verification form,” and similar.

Q. I need an employer reference or verification for my work with BU Law (RA, TA, LA, Public Service Summer Funding, Judicial Internship Stipend, etc.) for bar admission or as part of a background check. What contact information should I give to verify this employment?
A. If the organization can run an online check, you can use BU’s instant employment verification service The Work Number. Otherwise, all BU Law employment can be verified by Law Payroll. Forms are typically sent via email or mail.

Email: lawpay@bu.edu
Phone: 617-353-0412
Address: Finance & Administration Office, Suite 1102, 765 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Q. If I submitted bar forms to the Law Registrar, will they automatically provide a transcript with those forms to the relevant Board of Bar Examiners?
A. If a transcript is needed to supplement bar forms, you must request the transcript through the Transcript Orders page. A transcript will not be automatically sent with submitted bar forms.

Q. My chosen jurisdiction requires an official transcript to verify my law school success. How can I order a transcript?
A. Transcripts can be ordered through our partner Parchment, as detailed here.

Q. My bar form needs to be notarized. Does BU Law have a Notary on staff?
A. Yes. The Associate Law Registrar is a Notary Public and can notarize your forms with an appointment. Please email nhaefner@bu.edu to schedule an appointment. This service is free for BU Law students.

Q. My jurisdiction requires I be fingerprinted. Where can I be fingerprinted at BU?
A. Before getting fingerprinted, applicants should review the required fingerprinting forms and submission requirements as some states use specific vendors to carry out fingerprinting. BUPD provides fingerprinting services to members of the BU community. Also, many police stations provide fingerprinting services for a fee.

Q. My partner is in the military, and I’m uncertain about licensure as a military spouse. Is there anyone with whom I can speak?
A. Absolutely. At BU Law, Associate Dean Muir is one resource. MA Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers can also offer guidance. Finally, you might want to review the state licensing efforts of the Military Spouse J.D. Network to learn your resources for advocating for reciprocity, or licensure transfer.

Q. I need to document the exam accommodations I received at BU Law. Where should I direct my request for this documentation?
A. Documentation of accommodations is completed by the BU Disability & Access Services office (DAS). If you are requesting this information for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), you must complete the student-specific sections of any MPRE required forms, and submit it to the DAS team, allowing at least one-month for the necessary review to be completed and returned to you. If you are requesting this information for your bar application, you must follow the procedures and timelines outlined on your chosen jurisdiction’s bar admission website.

View the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners’ FAQ page.

Q. If I previously sent my MPRE score to Massachusetts, do I still need to submit an official or unofficial score to upload?
A. Yes. Massachusetts requires that you provide an official or unofficial copy of your MPRE score with your bar admission application.

Q. Will the Law Registrar automatically send in my Law School Certificate to the MA Board of Bar Examiners and MA Supreme Judicial Court?
A. No. The BU Law Registrar will only provide certification for graduates who direct the School to do so by providing the Law Registrar with their Law School Certificate. Please complete the “student information” section of the Law School Certificate before submitting it to the Law Registrar for submission after Commencement.

Q. Will my application really be rejected if I don’t follow the Naming Convention outlined in the MA bar application materials?
A. Yes; or, if not rejected, the application will be delayed as you will need to come into compliance with the requirement. The submission of a bar application in Massachusetts is a filing with the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Suffolk, a civil action at law. All applicants are required to comply with all directions from the Court and the Board of Bar Examiners. This includes the naming convention, dates on letters of recommendation, and all other details. Begin your process early so that you will have ample time to review your submission to ensure these details reflect the professionalism you will bring to the legal bar of Massachusetts. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Guide to Filing a Petition for Admission by Examination (first-time).

Please refer to the New York State Board of Law Examiners FAQ page and to the website for your specific Appellate Division for the most up-to-date answers to FAQs.

Q. With which Appellate Division do I file my post-bar application materials?
A. You will file your Application for Admission with the Appellate Division indicated on your Notice of Certification, which you will receive after passing the Bar Exam, NYLE, and MPRE. Keep your address information current as you will be assigned to one of four divisions based on your residence address.

Q. Can I use my clinic/experiential/summer work to satisfy the 50-hour Pro Bono requirement?
A. Do not assume that any volunteer legal experience will satisfy the Pro Bono requirement. Review the Pro Bono Rule (22 NYCRR § 520.16) and the NY Courts’ Pro Bono Rule webpage for more information.

The State Bar of California has published a list of admissions-related FAQs available here.

Q. When should I register as a “law student” for the California Bar?
A. Due to the high volume of applicants to the California Bar and lengthy processing times for bar applications, the Bar recommends that law student applicants register as soon as possible.

Q. I’m interested in applying for a Social Security Number Exemption but have concerns. With whom can I discuss these concerns?
A. We recommend conferring with MA Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, or the Lawyer Assistance Program of your home state.