Alabama
Overview
- Admitting Entity (Supreme Court, Mandatory Bar, etc.)
- Alabama Supreme Court
- Entity Managing Admissions Process
Alabama State Bar’s Office of Admissions & Attorney Licensing
- [State] Application Materials
- Are law students required to register with jurisdiction while in law school?
- Yes
- If UBE, is there a Jurisdiction Component?
- Yes
- Multistate Bar Exam?
- Yes
- Multistate Essay Exam?
- Yes
- Is exam jurisdiction-drafted?
- No
- Multistate Performance Test?
- Yes
- Does the jurisdiction provide information on day of testing procedures?
While not available online, a Bar Exam Information Guide is mailed to applicants certified to sit for the exam.
- What are the restroom use rules of the admitting entity?
“Designated restrooms may be used after the exam begins. You must check-out and check-in with your monitor for each restroom break.” Administration states that it uses public facilities and the accommodations depend on the location.
General
- Phone Number
- 334-269-1515
- Email Address
- Diploma Privilege
No
- Prelegal education requirements
Yes; must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Legal education requirements
Applicant must have graduated with a JD or equivalent from an ABA-approved law school. Waivers may be available to applicants admitted to the Bar of another U.S. jurisdiction or who completed their first legal degree in a non-U.S. jurisdiction and completed certain educational requirements at that institution or has been admitted and practiced law for at least 3 years in a US jurisdiction.
- Registration requirements, if applicable.
Must register with the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar and undergo character and fitness by the Committee on Character and Fitness.
- Registration fee, if applicable.
- $50.00 if filed after 60 days but on or before the 180th day; $100.00 if filed after 180 days but on or before the 390th day; $250.00 if filed after 390 days.
- Limit on attempts?
- No limit
- Fee(s)
$575 (plus NCBE report fee) for bar exam applicants; $875 (plus NCBE report fee) for UBE Score Transfer applicants and for Rule III (Reciprocity) applicants
- Are laptops allowed/required?
- Allowed; must register to use laptop and pay fee to vendor
- Laptop fee?
- $107
- Is courtesy seating allowed?
- No
- Transfer fee?
- No specific transfer fee
- 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?
No metal detectors or bag search. Applicants walk in with nothing.
Eligibility
- Admission by Exam
- Yes
- Admission by Transfer
- Yes
- Admission by Motion
- Yes
- UBE Exam?
- Yes. Alabama intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2028.
- Minimum passing score?
- 260
- Can exam score be transferred?
- Yes
- Can only UBE scores be transferred?
- No
- Is there a time limit for accepting transferred scores?
- 25 months
- Is MPRE required?
- Yes
- Minimum passing score
- 75
- Is there a time period in which the MPRE score must be earned?
- Within 25 months of being earned.
- 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)?
Applicant must bring (1) personal Certification Card issued for the examination (containing examinee number, NCBE Number, photograph and certification statement entitling you to sit for the bar exam) and (2) current valid driver’s license or other positive, photo identification. Each examinee must present each required item before entering the testing area prior to each session and after restroom breaks.
- 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?
The testing area is divided into sections. Your seating assignment is determined using your testing method (handwriting or laptop) and your personal examinee number.