West Virginia bar exam requirements
West Virginia gives the legacy Uniform Bar Exam in Charleston, with a passing score of 270, and accepts transferred NextGen scores of 620 or higher. Its NextGen start date is unclear: NCBE’s West Virginia page says July 2027 (making February 2027 the last legacy exam), but NCBE’s most recent NextGen chart (September 29, 2026) lists July 2028, so confirm with the Board. The fee is $500 ($800 for attorneys admitted elsewhere for a year or more), due November 1 for February, or by December 1 with a late fee.
Sources: West Virginia Judiciary Board of Law Examiners and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide and NextGen chart, checked October 11, 2026. Late fee as reported. Confirm with the Board before applying.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February exam | Timely: November 1; late: December 1 (about $200 late fee, reported) |
| July exam | Timely: April 1; late: May 1 |
| Exam fee | $500 (never admitted, or admitted under 1 year); $800 (admitted 1+ year); plus NCBE report fee |
| Filing | NCBE character and fitness application online, then mail the required materials and fee (payable to the State of West Virginia) in one envelope |
| MBE transfers | Received by January 1 for the February exam |
Source: West Virginia Board of Law Examiners; NCBE. Late fee as reported.
Requirements
- No courtesy seating: you must be seeking admission in West Virginia.
- MPRE: 80 or higher, within 25 months of the successful exam.
- Score transfers: legacy UBE 270+ up to 3 years old; NextGen 620+ from July 2026; MBE scores from a passed exam within 13 months.
- Education: generally an ABA-approved JD, with limited routes for other graduates; foreign law graduates may qualify, per NCBE.