Rhode Island bar exam requirements
Rhode Island gives the legacy Uniform Bar Exam through February 2028, with a passing score of 270, and switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2028. The exam fee is $975; petitions for February are due September 1, with a final late deadline of December 1. Rhode Island doesn’t admit on motion, but experienced lawyers can take a shorter Attorneys’ Exam ($1,475).
Sources: Rhode Island Judiciary (Admission to the Rhode Island Bar; Board of Bar Examiners rules) and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Confirm with the Board before applying.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February exam | Timely: September 1; final (late): December 1 |
| July exam | Timely: February 1; final (late): May 1 |
| Exam fee | $975 first-time and repeaters; plus $30 NCBE processing fee and character report fee |
| Attorneys’ Exam | $1,475 |
| Laptop | No fee (reported) |
Source: Rhode Island Judiciary; NCBE.
Requirements
- MPRE: 80 or higher, within 5 years before the application deadline (exam applicants) or petition (transfer applicants).
- Score transfers: legacy UBE 270+ up to 2 years old; NextGen transfer policy TBA.
- No admission on motion: the Attorneys’ Exam is the route for experienced lawyers; non-ABA graduates need 5 of the last 10 years in practice.
- Education: foreign law graduates may be eligible, per NCBE.
- Character and fitness: NCBE investigates, and Rhode Island’s Committee on Character and Fitness recommends.
Official source & community discussion
Rhode Island Judiciary: admission to the bar (official) →
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