Back to Bar Admissions Guide

New York

Overview

Admitting Entity (Supreme Court, Mandatory Bar, etc.)
New York State Court of Appeals
Entity Managing Admissions Process

New York State Board of Bar Examiners

[State] Application Materials

New York Application Materials

Are law students required to register with jurisdiction while in law school?
No
If UBE, is there a Jurisdiction Component?
Yes
Multistate Bar Exam?
Yes
Multistate Essay Exam?
Yes
Is exam jurisdiction-drafted?
No. A separate online course in New York-specific law is required.
Multistate Performance Test?
Yes
Does the jurisdiction provide information on day of testing procedures?

Yes – https://www.nybarexam.org/Security/Security.htm

What are the restroom use rules of the admitting entity?

Once you enter the exam room, you may not leave it at any point except to use the restroom with permission of a proctor. If you violate this rule you could be disqualified from completing the exam

General

Phone Number
518-453-5990
Diploma Privilege

No

Prelegal education requirements

No

Registration requirements, if applicable.

N/A

Registration fee, if applicable.
N/A
Limit on attempts?
No limit
Fee(s)

$250 – Section 520.3 (JD received from an ABA approved law school); $250 – Section 520.4 (law office study); $250 – Section 520.5 (unapproved law school); $750 – Section 520.6 (study of law in foreign country); $250 – Section 520.17 (Pro Bono Scholars Program)

Are laptops allowed/required?
Allowed
Laptop fee?
100
Is courtesy seating allowed?
No
Transfer fee?
$50
Day-of Testing Procedures

An applicant testing at a Pearson VUE testing center must present a government-issued primary ID and a secondary ID. The primary ID must include a first and last name, recent recognizable photo, and signature. The secondary ID must include at least a first and last name and signature or first and last name and recent recognizable photo. The first and last name used to register must match exactly both IDs presented on test day. Any name corrections must be submitted through the NCBE Account Dashboard at least 48 hours before the first day of the test administration. Before entering the test room, Pearson VUE will collect a digital photograph and digital signature to verify identity. The applicant must consent to the NCBE Candidate Rules Agreement, which in part requires that if the applicant uses the restroom during testing, they must use “the restroom that is closest to the testing room” and pat themselves down (arms, legs, waistline) when leaving and re-entering the testing room. Applicants must also pat themselves down before entering the test room for the first time.

What security measures can applicants expect? Metal detectors? Bag search?

See – https://www.nybarexam.org/Security/Security.htm

Eligibility

Admission by Exam
Yes
Admission by Transfer
Yes
Admission by Motion
Yes
UBE Exam?
Yes. New York intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2028.
Minimum passing score?
266
Can exam score be transferred?
Yes
Can only UBE scores be transferred?
Yes
Is there a time limit for accepting transferred scores?
3 years
Is MPRE required?
Yes
Minimum passing score
85
Is there a time period in which the MPRE score must be earned?
4 years
MPRE fee
160

Requirements

Application Name and Gender Identification

The MPRE application requires the first and last name to match exactly as listed on valid government-issued photo identification. If the applicant indicates they have been known by a different name, they must list the first name and last name or surname and does not have the option to explain the reason for the name change. The demographic information section asks, “[w]which of the following questions best represents your gender identity?” and provides the following options: “man,” “woman,” “non-binary,” “gender not listed here (please specify),” and “I prefer not to have my response used for research purposes.”

What identifying documents do applicants need on test days and what name is required to be on that ID (as related to the name on the application for admission)?

All applicants must bring a government issued photo ID to the examination, which will be checked at all four sessions. Acceptable forms of ID include (1) U.S. driver’s license; (2) U.S. non-driver identification; (3) passport; (4) passport card; (5) U.S. permanent Resident ID Card; or (6) New York City Identification Card. The expiration date on the photo ID shall not be expired. The name on your photo ID must match the name in your BOLE Account and the name on your Seating Ticket.

Is there assigned seating? If so, how do applicants identify their seat (i.e. name, application number, etc.) If it is by name, which name will be listed?

Seating Tickets are provided through the portal approximately two weeks before the exam. Applicants must have their Seating Ticket to enter the exam. The seat number assigned on the Seating Ticket is the only means of identification throughout the grading process.

The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and Foundation
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.