State-by-State Bar Exam Requirements

Every jurisdiction in the United States sets their own conditions for bar membership, including the format of their bar exam, the application deadlines, and the costs associated with applying for and taking the exam. Because of this wide variety of rules and regulations, it is imperative that every person applying to take the bar exam have a well-informed and complete understanding of the rules for the state where they will take the exam.

Below, this 50-state survey collects publicly available information on each state's bar exam policies and procedures. This research is ongoing, and as policies change, we welcome any updates and corrections of these materials. In recent years, more and more states have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). These states are lighter in color on the map below, while states that create their own jurisdiction-specific exams are darker in color. For more information about each state, its exam, and its other requirements, click on it using the map.