Virginia bar exam requirements
Virginia gives its own bar exam: Virginia essays and short-answer questions plus the MBE, with a passing score of 140 out of 200, and doesn’t accept UBE scores. It switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2028 with a Virginia essay exam. Applications are due December 15 for February and May 10 for July, with no late filing; NCBE lists the fee as $1,150.
Sources: Virginia Board of Bar Examiners and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Some prep providers still list $575; confirm the current fee with the Board.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February exam | Apply by December 15; no late filing |
| July exam | Apply by May 10; no late filing |
| Exam fee | $1,150 first-time and attorneys; $750 / $1,150 repeaters (per NCBE) |
| Laptop | Available to all timely applicants for the essay portion |
Source: NCBE; Virginia Board of Bar Examiners.
Requirements
- Exam: Virginia essays and short answers (60% of the score) plus the MBE; MBE scores from other states are accepted in some cases.
- MPRE: 85 or higher, any time before the exam or before your passing Virginia score expires (5 years).
- No UBE transfers: Virginia will accept NextGen transfer scores from 2028.
- Education: an ABA-approved JD isn’t strictly required, and foreign law graduates may be eligible, per NCBE.
- Admission on motion: after 3 of the past 5 years in practice.
Official source & community discussion
NCBE: Virginia jurisdiction information (official) →
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