Alabama
Admission Process
- Admitting Entity
- Alabama Supreme Court
- Entity Managing Admissions Process
Alabama State Bar’s Office of Admissions & Attorney Licensing
- Phone Number
- 334-269-1515
- Email Address
- Admission by Exam
- Yes
- Admission by Score Transfer
- Yes
- Admission by Motion
- Yes
- Diploma Privilege
No
Education Requirements
- Application Materials
- 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.
- Mandatory Law Student Bar Card Registration in Jurisdiction
- Yes
- Mandatory Student 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.
- Mandatory Student 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.
Bar Exam
- Universal Bar Exam
- Yes. Alabama intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2028.
- Jurisdiction-Specific Component
- Yes
- Multistate Bar Exam
- Yes
- Multistate Essay Exam
- Yes
- Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam
- No
- Multistate Performance Test
- Yes
- Attempt Limit on Bar Exam
- No limit
- Minimum Passing Bar Exam Score
- 260
- 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
- Laptops Allowed/Required
- Allowed; must register to use laptop and pay fee to vendor
- Laptop Fee
- $107
- Courtesy Seating Availability
- No
Transfer Score
- Transferred Scores Accepted
- Yes
- UBE Score Required for Transfer
- No
- Score Transfer Time Limit
- 25 months
- Score Transfer Fee
- No specific transfer fee
Mpre
- Passing MPRE Score Required
- Yes
- Minimum Passing MPRE Score
- 75
- Time Limit on MPRE Score
- Within 25 months of being earned.
- MPRE Fee
- $160
- MPRE Application Name and Gender Identification Requirements
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.”
- MPRE Testing Day 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.
Testing Day Procedures
- Bar Exam Testing Day Procedures
While not available online, a Bar Exam Information Guide is mailed to applicants certified to sit for the exam.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Restroom Rules
“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.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Security Measures
No metal detectors or bag search. Applicants walk in with nothing.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Identification Documents
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.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Seating Assignment
The testing area is divided into sections. Your seating assignment is determined using your testing method (handwriting or laptop) and your personal examinee number.