Northern Mariana Islands
Admission Process
- Admitting Entity
- Judiciary of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Entity Managing Admissions Process
The Board of Bar Examiners
- Phone Number
- 670-236-9716
- Email Address
- Admission by Exam
- Yes
- Admission by Score Transfer
- Not for UBE; Accepts transferred MBE scores
- Admission by Motion
- No
- Diploma Privilege
No
Education Requirements
- Application Materials
- Prelegal Education Requirements
No
- Legal Education Requirements
Must have graduated with a JD from an ABA-accredited law school within the United States. See Rule 71-2.
- 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
- No; however, Northern Mariana Islands intends to administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2026.
- Jurisdiction-Specific Component
- N/A
- Multistate Bar Exam
- Yes
- Multistate Essay Exam
- Yes
- Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam
- Yes. There are two 30-minute essay questions based on Northern Mariana Islands law.
- Multistate Performance Test
- Yes
- Attempt Limit on Bar Exam
- No limit
- Minimum Passing Bar Exam Score
- 260 + 65% on Local Content Essay section
- Fee(s)
Regular applicant: $500; Late application: $1,000; MBE fee $73; MPRE fee: $150
- Laptops Allowed/Required
- No
- Laptop Fee
- N/A
- Courtesy Seating Availability
- No
Transfer Score
- Transferred Scores Accepted
- MBE only
- UBE Score Required for Transfer
- MBE only
- Score Transfer Time Limit
- 3 years with a MBE score of 130 or higher.
- Score Transfer Fee
- N/A
Mpre
- Passing MPRE Score Required
- Yes
- Minimum Passing MPRE Score
- 80
- Time Limit on MPRE Score
- Within 3 years before the bar examination or obtain the results within 6 months after taking the bar examination
- 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
Administrative staff indicated on 9.5.2025 that applicants are sent additional information a week before test day.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Restroom Rules
Information not available online. Administrative staff indicated on 9.5.2025 that there are separate male and female restrooms twenty feet from the testing room. Administrative staff indicated that they have never faced an issue about bathroom access but that they are willing to accommodate. A request can be made by email in advance or on exam day in person for a restroom to be reserved for a student.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Security Measures
Information not available online. Administrative staff indicated on 9.5.2025 that applicants are given a list of items that are not allowed a week before test day.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Identification Documents
Information not available online. Administrative staff indicated on 9.5.2025 that applicants are instructed to bring a passport or driver license on exam day. If the applicant has a different name on the ID, the applicant should bring a court order or other certified documentation of the name change upon submitting the bar application.
- Bar Exam Testing Day Seating Assignment
Administrative staff indicated on 9.5.2025 that seating is not assigned given the small number of applicants. Students choose a table and chair. Applicants are identified by applicant number.