New Jersey bar exam requirements
New Jersey gives the legacy Uniform Bar Exam through February 2028, with a passing score of 266, and switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2028, per a New Jersey Supreme Court notice. The exam fee is $675; for February exams the first deadline is October 31, with late tiers on November 15 and November 30. New Jersey accepts a law school ethics course in place of the MPRE.
Sources: New Jersey Supreme Court Notice to the Bar (November 2025), New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Confirm with the Board before applying.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February exam | First deadline: October 31; late tiers: November 15 and November 30 |
| July exam | First deadline: March 31; late tiers: April 15 and April 30 |
| Exam fee | $675 for all applicant types |
| Laptop | Fee varies |
| Admission on motion | $1,500 |
Source: NCBE; New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners.
Requirements
- Education: an ABA-approved JD; foreign law graduates aren’t eligible, per NCBE.
- MPRE: 75 or higher, or satisfactory performance in a law school ethics course.
- Score transfers: legacy UBE 266+ up to 36 months old; NextGen transfer rules to be set by the Court.
- No state component: New Jersey has no separate New Jersey law requirement.
- Character and fitness: handled by New Jersey, not NCBE.
Official source & community discussion
New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners (official) →
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