Credential type: licensure examination · verified on the issuer's site September 19, 2026 issuer page

Scheduled retirement

UBE retires on 2028-02

NCBE describes the UBE as 'The legacy Uniform Bar Examination, administered through February 2028' and states 'Between July 2026 and July 2028, most jurisdictions will transition from the legacy UBE to the NextGen UBE'; the NextGen implementation timeline prints 'Q3 2026 First administration of new exam' and 'Q1 2028 Final administration of MBE, MEE, and MPT'. Successor: the NextGen UBE.

No direct replacement is named in the reviewed official sources.

Exam Domains

1 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) — 50% of UBE score 50%

2 Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) — 30% of UBE score 30%

3 Multistate Performance Test (MPT) — 20% of UBE score 20%

Exam Details

Question TypesMultiple Choice (MBE and MPRE), Essay (MEE — 6 questions, 30 min each), Performance Test (MPT — 2 tasks, 90 min each)

FormatMulti-component exam administered over two days

Online ProctoringAvailable

ID RequirementsGovernment-issued photo ID required. ID must match bar exam or NCBE registration exactly.

RenewalRequired -- Bar license renewal requirements set by individual state bar boards. Typically requires Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits annually. Annual bar dues also required.

PrerequisitesJuris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school (required in most UBE jurisdictions). Some states have alternative pathways.; Character and fitness review by state bar board required

Retake PolicyUBE: retake policies set by individual state bar boards; most allow unlimited attempts. MPRE: offered 3 times per year (March, August, November); may be taken unlimited times.

LanguagesEnglish

UBE Retires 2028-02: Transition Guide

UBE retires on 2028-02

Exam Domains

Exam Details

Official Study Resources