Ohio bar exam requirements
Ohio gives the legacy Uniform Bar Exam through February 2028, with a passing score of 270, and switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2028 with a passing score of 620. Applying is two steps: first register as a candidate for admission (ideally in your second year of law school), then apply for the exam, by November 1 for February 2027 (late by December 10). The exam fee is $452.
Sources: Supreme Court of Ohio Office of Bar Admissions (important dates, application pages) and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Confirm with the Office before applying.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Step 1: register as a candidate | Timely by November 15 in your second year of law school; late registration by August 15 (February exam) or January 15 (July exam) |
| Step 2: February 2027 bar application | Timely: November 1, 2026; late: December 10, 2026; exam February 23-24, 2027 |
| July exam | Timely: April 1; late: May 10 |
| Exam fee | $452 (repeaters: $330, or $430 late, plus a $132 UBE fee) |
| UBE score transfer | $750 plus character and fitness fee; 270+ within 5 years |
Source: Supreme Court of Ohio; NCBE.
Requirements
- Ohio Law Component: an online, open-book test on Ohio law with outlines; you need 80% or higher, for both exam and transfer applicants.
- MPRE: 85 or higher.
- NextGen transfers: accepted from November 2026, per NCBE.
- Admission on motion: after 5 of the past 10 years in practice.
- Fees: all Supreme Court of Ohio fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Official source & community discussion
Supreme Court of Ohio: bar admission dates (official) →
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