Which States have Adopted the UBE?

Which States have Adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)?

*Updated October 29, 2020

The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is an exam promulgated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). More and more states are adopting this uniform test, which, rather than testing any specific state law, tests the majority law. As of the initial writing of this post, March 7, 2016, 21 states had adopted the Uniform Bar Exam. As of this writing (in 2020), 38 states have adopted the Uniform Bar Exam. It is being quickly adopted across the nation! These states are listed below.

Please be sure to check the NCBE’s website as well for the latest information!

Which States have Adopted the UBE?

The 38 jurisdictions that have adopted, or soon will adopt, the UBE are:

1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arkansas
4. Arizona
5. Colorado
6. Connecticut
7. Idaho
8. Illinois
9. Iowa
10. Kansas
11. Kentucky
12. Maine
13. Maryland
14. Massachusetts
15. Minnesota
16. Missouri
17. Montana
18. Nebraska
19. New Hampshire
20. New Jersey
21. New Mexico
22. New York
23. North Carolina
24. North Dakota
25. Ohio
26. Oklahoma (as of July 2021)
27. Oregon
28. Rhode Island
29. South Carolina
30. Tennessee
31. Texas (starting February 2021)
32. Utah
33. Vermont
34. Washington
35. Washington DC
36. West Virginia
37. Wyoming
38. U.S. Virgin Islands

Some predicted that after the state of New York announced its adoption of the UBE beginning for the July 2016 bar exam, that every state would eventually switch to a UBE state. There are differing theories on whether states will follow suit and adopt the UBE—as well as whether they should adopt the UBE.

Some people think a uniform test is needed as it provides uniformity in grading and allows lawyers to transfer to other states to practice. They say that testing power should be within the hands of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) which has more testing resources and experience.

Others think that the NCBE shouldn’t have so much power, that the bar exam is already “uniform” enough with the multistate bar exam, and that the idea that lawyers can easily transfer their scores to other jurisdictions is faulty (since most scores are only good for two to five years anyway, thus requiring a lawyer to sit for a bar exam and/or apply for character and fitness clearance after that time period anyway, regardless of which state bar exam they passed).

Regardless of whether the move toward the UBE is good or bad, the trend toward adopting the UBE continues, as more states move to adopt the test each year.

More information

To read more about what the Uniform Bar Exam is like, please see this post on the Uniform Bar Exam.

Looking for a fresh, new approach to the Uniform Bar Exam? We specialize in helping first-time and repeat takers pass the bar exam. Check out the advantages of taking our affordable on demand course here.

• Looking for Uniform Bar Exam Help?

  We offer the following products and services:

  • A five-star UBE course — that provides you with the best instruction, outlines, and released questions. Preview our course for free here to see sample lectures, outlines, and materials.
  • COVID-19 SALE: Due to the pandemic, we are offering discounted rates on our On Demand and Premium Bar Exam Courses. Use coupon code COVIDOD at checkout to place your $99.99 deposit and lock in your $999.99 pricing for our On Demand Course (if you are ready to pay in full, use coupon code COVIDODFULL). If you are interested in our Premium course, use coupon code COVIDPREM at checkout to place your $499.99 deposit and lock in your $3499.99 pricing (if you are ready to pay in full, use coupon code COVIDPREMFULL).
  • Uniform Bar Exam tutoring services – tailored to you.
  • MBE services and products, including an MBE Course, MBE Seminar, and MBE One-Sheets and real MBE questions.
  • MEE services and products, including an MEE course, MEE seminar, and MEE One-Sheets.
  • MPT services and products, including an MPT seminar, MPT guide and private tutoring.