Maryland
Admission Process
- Admitting Entity
- Maryland Court of Appeals
- Entity Managing Admissions Process
- Phone Number
- 410-260-3640
- Email Address
- Admission by Exam
- Yes
- Admission by Score Transfer
- Yes
- Admission by Motion
- Yes (Admission Without Examination for Experienced Out-of-State Attorneys)
- Diploma Privilege
No
Education Requirements
- Application Materials
- Prelegal Education Requirements
Yes; must have completed prelegal education necessary to meet the minimum requirements for admission to an ABA-approved law school.
- Legal Education Requirements
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 an additional legal degree (LLM) at an ABA-approved U.S. law school.
- 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. Maryland intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2026.
- Jurisdiction-Specific Component
- Yes
- Multistate Bar Exam
- N/A
- Multistate Essay Exam
- N/A
- Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam
- N/A
- Multistate Performance Test
- N/A
- Attempt Limit on Bar Exam
- No limit
- Minimum Passing Bar Exam Score
- 266
- Fee(s)
$400
- Laptops Allowed/Required
- Allowed; must file intent to use laptop and pay fee to vendor
- Laptop Fee
- $130-$180
- Courtesy Seating Availability
- No
Transfer Score
- Transferred Scores Accepted
- Yes
- UBE Score Required for Transfer
- Yes
- Score Transfer Time Limit
- 3 years
- Score Transfer Fee
- $400
Mpre
- Passing MPRE Score Required
- Yes
- Minimum Passing MPRE Score
- 85
- Time Limit on MPRE Score
- Not more than 3 years prior to the date when applicant files a Notice of Intent to Take the UBE in Maryland
- 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
Information is provided.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Restroom Rules
Administrative staff indicated that bathroom usage is whatever is available at the facility, which might include a single use family bathroom.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Security Measures
There are no bag searches or metal detectors. All bags must be left outside of the examination area.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Identification Documents
Applicants are required to display government-issued photo identification that matches the name printed at the top of the seat number letter/examination pass. If a proctor determines there is an identification-related issue, the applicant is directed to the administrator’s table.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Seating Assignment
Seating is at random. Applicants’ seat numbers are available through the portal 10 days prior to the exam.