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Kentucky

Admission Process

Admitting Entity
Kentucky Supreme Court
Entity Managing Admissions Process

Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions

Phone Number
859-246-2381
Admission by Exam
Yes
Admission by Score Transfer
Yes
Admission by Motion
Yes
Diploma Privilege

No

Education Requirements

Application Materials

Not available online

Prelegal Education Requirements

No

Mandatory Law Student Bar Card Registration in Jurisdiction
No
Mandatory Student Registration Requirements (if applicable)

N/A

Mandatory Student Registration Fee (if applicable)
N/A

Bar Exam

Universal Bar Exam
Yes. Kentucky intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2027.
Jurisdiction-Specific Component
No
Multistate Bar Exam
Yes
Multistate Essay Exam
Yes
Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam
No
Multistate Performance Test
Yes
Attempt Limit on Bar Exam
5
Minimum Passing Bar Exam Score
266
Fee(s)

$875

Laptops Allowed/Required
There is minimal public information on the use of laptops during the exam, but the signature pages available on the website indicate an applicant may be a "Computer Based Testing" applicant, where they elect to use the computer during the MPT and MEE portion of the exam.
Laptop Fee
Yes; the amount of the fee is not publicly available.
Courtesy Seating Availability
No

Transfer Score

Transferred Scores Accepted
Yes
UBE Score Required for Transfer
Yes
Score Transfer Time Limit
5 years
Score Transfer Fee
$875 or $1,200 depending on age of score

Mpre

Passing MPRE Score Required
Yes
Minimum Passing MPRE Score
80
Time Limit on MPRE Score
No
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

No public information is available regarding testing day procedures.

Bar Exam Testing Day Restroom Rules

No public information is available regarding testing day procedures.

Bar Exam Testing Day Security Measures

No public information is available regarding testing day procedures.

Bar Exam Testing Day Identification Documents

No public information is available regarding testing day procedures.

Bar Exam Testing Day Seating Assignment

No public information is available regarding testing day procedures.