New York bar exam requirements
New York gives the legacy Uniform Bar Exam through February 2028, with a passing score of 266, and switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2028; it won’t accept NextGen transfer scores from exams before then. The fee is $250 ($750 for foreign-trained applicants), filed in a fixed one-month window. Admission also requires the New York Law Course and Exam, 50 hours of pro bono work and a skills competency requirement.
Sources: New York State Board of Law Examiners rules (22 NYCRR Part 520 and 6000), NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide and law school bar guides, checked October 11, 2026. Fees as reported. Confirm the current filing window with the Board.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February exam filing window | October 1-31, per recent law school guides (the published rule text shows November 1-30); confirm with the Board |
| July exam filing window | One month in spring (March or April); confirm with the Board |
| Repeaters | If you failed the previous exam: file within 14 days of results release |
| Exam fee | $250 ($750 foreign-trained); laptop about $100 |
| New York Law Exam | About $29; next sitting December 17, 2026 (register by November 17) |
Sources as above. Fees as reported by bar prep providers.
Requirements
- New York Law Course and Exam: finish every course segment before registering for the online NYLE.
- MPRE: 85 or higher, valid for 4 years from the date you took it.
- Pro bono: 50 qualifying hours before admission (you can sit the exam first).
- Skills competency: proof of practical skills training is required for admission.
- NextGen: New York won’t accept NextGen transfer scores from exams before July 2028, so plan which exam to sit if you want New York admission.
Official source & community discussion
NCBE: New York jurisdiction information (official) →
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