Tennessee bar exam requirements
Tennessee’s February 2027 exam is its last legacy Uniform Bar Exam, with a passing score of 270; it switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2027 and accepts transferred NextGen scores of 620 or higher. For February 2027, applications opened October 1 and are due December 1, 2026, with no grace period; supporting documents are due December 21. The fee is $725 plus a character and fitness fee.
Sources: Tennessee Board of Law Examiners and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide and NextGen chart, checked October 11, 2026. Confirm with the Board before applying.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February 2027 exam | Opens October 1; application deadline December 1, 2026 (no grace period); final documents December 21, 2026 |
| July exam | Opens March 1; application deadline May 1; final documents May 20 |
| Exam fee | $725 first-time, attorneys and repeaters (plus character and fitness fee); check or money order |
| UBE score transfer | $675 plus character and fitness fee |
| Application validity | A first-time application stays valid for four consecutive exams |
Source: Tennessee Board of Law Examiners; NCBE.
Requirements
- Tennessee law requirement: NCBE lists a state-specific requirement; it’s reported as the Tennessee Law Course.
- MPRE: 82 or higher, valid for 2 years (an older 82+ score is accepted for attorneys in good standing elsewhere).
- Score transfers: legacy UBE 270+; NextGen 620+; maximum age 3 or 5 years depending on the applicant.
- Education: foreign law graduates may be eligible, per NCBE.
Official source & community discussion
Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (official) →
See related questions on Quora →