UBE States: The Complete List of Jurisdictions That Accept the Uniform Bar Exam
Vrenberg · June 25, 2026
UBE States: The Complete List of Jurisdictions That Accept the Uniform Bar Exam
The Uniform Bar Exam is now used by the majority of U.S. jurisdictions. If you pass the UBE in one state, you can transfer your score to practice in another UBE state, provided you meet that state's minimum score and any additional requirements.
This matters because it means you do not need to retake the bar exam to move to a new jurisdiction. Your score is portable.
What Is the UBE?
The Uniform Bar Exam is a two-day test developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. It consists of three components:
- MBE (Multistate Bar Examination): 200 multiple-choice questions across seven subjects, administered on one day. 175 are scored; 25 are unscored pretest questions.
- MEE (Multistate Essay Examination): Six 30-minute essay questions covering a broader range of subjects than the MBE.
- MPT (Multistate Performance Test): Two 90-minute tasks that test practical legal skills using a provided case file and library.
Your UBE score is a combination of all three components, scaled to a 400-point total.
Complete List of UBE Jurisdictions
The following jurisdictions have adopted the UBE. Minimum passing scores vary by state.
| Jurisdiction | Minimum UBE Score |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 260 |
| Alaska | 280 |
| Arizona | 273 |
| Arkansas | 260 |
| Colorado | 276 |
| Connecticut | 266 |
| District of Columbia | 266 |
| Idaho | 274 |
| Illinois | 266 |
| Iowa | 266 |
| Kansas | 266 |
| Kentucky | 266 |
| Maine | 270 |
| Maryland | 266 |
| Massachusetts | 270 |
| Minnesota | 260 |
| Missouri | 260 |
| Montana | 266 |
| Nebraska | 264 |
| New Hampshire | 270 |
| New Jersey | 266 |
| New Mexico | 260 |
| New York | 266 |
| North Carolina | 270 |
| North Dakota | 260 |
| Ohio | 270 |
| Oklahoma | 264 |
| Oregon | 274 |
| Pennsylvania | 272 |
| Rhode Island | 276 |
| South Carolina | 266 |
| South Dakota | 260 |
| Tennessee | 270 |
| Texas | 270 |
| Utah | 270 |
| Vermont | 270 |
| Virgin Islands | 266 |
| Washington | 270 |
| West Virginia | 270 |
| Wisconsin | 266 |
| Wyoming | 266 |
Note: These scores are current as of mid-2026 but jurisdictions occasionally adjust their minimums. Always verify with your target state's bar admissions office before relying on a specific number.
Non-UBE States
The following states have not adopted the UBE and administer their own bar examinations:
- California — Administers its own exam with a separate essay day and California-specific content.
- Florida — Has its own bar exam with Florida-specific questions.
- Georgia — Adopted the UBE in 2020.
- Hawaii — Has its own exam format.
- Indiana — Has its own exam format.
- Louisiana — Civil law jurisdiction with a completely different exam structure.
- Michigan — Has its own exam format.
- Nevada — Has its own exam format.
- Virginia — Has its own exam format.
If you are taking the bar in a non-UBE state, your score is not portable. You will need to take a new bar exam to practice in a different jurisdiction.
How Score Transfers Work
If you pass the UBE in one jurisdiction, you can apply to transfer your score to any other UBE jurisdiction, provided:
Your score meets the target state's minimum. If you scored 270 in New York and want to transfer to Colorado (minimum 276), you cannot transfer that score. You would need to retake the exam or find a jurisdiction with a lower minimum.
Your score is not expired. Most jurisdictions require the score to be no more than 3-5 years old. The exact window varies by state.
You meet the jurisdiction's other requirements. Most states have character and fitness evaluations, MPRE score requirements, and sometimes additional state-specific coursework (e.g., a state law component).
You pay the transfer fee. Transfer fees vary by jurisdiction and can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars.
Strategy: Where Should You Take the UBE?
If you are not tied to a specific state, consider taking the UBE in a jurisdiction with a lower minimum passing score. Your score is the same regardless of where you sit. A 280 earned in Missouri (minimum 260) is the same 280 that qualifies you in Massachusetts (minimum 270) or Colorado (minimum 276).
The exam itself is identical in every UBE jurisdiction. The only things that differ are the minimum score and the local admission requirements.
The Bottom Line
The UBE's portability is its greatest feature. If you are planning a legal career that might involve moving between states, passing the UBE with a score well above your target jurisdiction's minimum gives you flexibility that a state-specific exam cannot match.
Aim for the highest score you can. Every point above the minimum is insurance against a future move to a higher-threshold state.