Iowa bar exam requirements
Iowa’s February 23-24, 2027 exam in Ankeny is its last legacy Uniform Bar Exam, with a passing score lowered to 260 from July 2026. Iowa switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2027 with a passing score of 610. The $800 application fee is non-refundable, and applications are due November 1 for February and April 1 for July, with no late filing.
Sources: Iowa Judicial Branch Office of Professional Regulation and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Confirm with the Office before applying.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February 2027 exam | February 23-24, 2027, Courtyard by Marriott Ankeny; apply by November 1, 2026 |
| July exam | Apply by April 1 |
| Late filing | Not available |
| Exam fee | $800, non-refundable (NCBE lists $550 for some non-attorney applicants) |
| Laptop | $122 |
Source: Iowa Office of Professional Regulation; NCBE.
Requirements
- Education: an ABA-approved JD; foreign law graduates aren’t eligible, per NCBE; your dean files an affidavit with your application.
- MPRE: 80 or higher.
- Score transfers: legacy UBE 260+ and NextGen 610+; NCBE lists a maximum score age of 2 or 5 years depending on the applicant.
- Filing: applications count as filed when postmarked or hand-delivered to the Office in Des Moines.
Official source & community discussion
Iowa Judicial Branch: bar exam registration (official) →
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