Illinois
Overview
- Admitting Entity (Supreme Court, Mandatory Bar, etc.)
- Illinois Supreme Court
- Entity Managing Admissions Process
- [State] Application Materials
- Are law students required to register with jurisdiction while in law school?
- Yes
- If UBE, is there a Jurisdiction Component?
- No
- 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?
Limited information is available
- What are the restroom use rules of the admitting entity?
Applicants are permitted to leave briefly to use the restroom facilities except for in the last 15 minutes of the session. Administrative staff indicated that bathroom availability varies by site and that they work with students individually on bathroom use issues regularly. A potential applicant should reach out to their processor early in the process (even before paying) to ensure that their test day location has bathrooms available to meet the applicant’s needs.
General
- Phone Number
- 217-552-5917
- Email Address
- Diploma Privilege
No
- Prelegal education requirements
No
- Legal education requirements
Must have received a first degree in law from an ABA-approved law school. See Rule 703.
- Registration requirements, if applicable.
Must fill out the required registration form with the Illinois Board of Admissions
- Registration fee, if applicable.
- No
- Limit on attempts?
- No limit
- Fee(s)
First time applicant fee of $950, $1150, or $1450, dependent on registration date. Previous applicant fee of either $500 or $850, dependent on registration date and which exam the applicant is registering for. $1,500 fee for admission by motion.
- Are laptops allowed/required?
- Allowed; must register with the Laptop Program and install Exam 360
- Laptop fee?
- $135
- Is courtesy seating allowed?
- No
- Transfer fee?
- $1,500 UBE 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?
All permitted items (except laptop equipment) must be displayed in a clear plastic bag; tip provided is to use a 2.5 gallon clear plastic bag rather than a laptop bag; unpermitted items may be left in the designated unsecured storage area at your own risk (no access during the test); Be advised that you may be scanned for metallic objects if you exit the test room to go to the restroom; Sweaters and sweatshirts are subject to search; While in the test room, you may be asked to empty the contents of your pockets in random checks for unpermitted items
Eligibility
- Admission by Exam
- Yes
- Admission by Transfer
- Yes
- Admission by Motion
- Yes
- UBE Exam?
- Yes. Illinois intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in February 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?
- 4 years
- Is MPRE required?
- Yes
- Minimum passing score
- 80
- Is there a time period in which the MPRE score must be earned?
- No
- MPRE fee
- N/A
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)?
Must present a valid photo ID on the morning of DAY ONE at check-in. Must place photo ID on table for proctor to view during exam. Applicant badge will be on the table, and that will serve as admission ticket; IBAB-issued Photo ID badge must be worn on chest at all times while at the test site.
- 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?
There are assigned seats. Information on system used for assigning seats is not available.