Hawaii bar exam requirements

Hawaii gives its own bar exam using the MBE, MEE and MPT plus Hawaii questions, with a passing score of 132, and doesn’t accept transferred UBE scores. It plans to switch to the NextGen UBE in July 2028 with 15 questions on Hawaii’s rules of professional conduct, and doesn’t intend to accept NextGen transfers either. The fee is $500 plus a character and fitness fee.

Sources: Board of Examiners of the Supreme Court of Hawaii and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Confirm with the Board before applying.

Deadlines and fees

Source: NCBE; Hawaii Board of Examiners. Laptop fee as reported.

Requirements

• Everyone takes the full exam: no UBE or MBE score transfers, and no NextGen transfers planned.
• MPRE: 85 or higher, passed within 2 years before the exam and reported within 1 year after passing (as reported).
• Education: foreign law graduates may be eligible, per NCBE.
• Registration: applicants register for access to Hawaii’s judiciary e-filing system (JEFS), as reported.