NCBE Statement on SCOTUS Decisions and the Bar Exam

NCBE has released the following FAQ regarding the timeline by which new US Supreme Court decisions might be reflected on the bar exam: NCBE-developed MBE, MPT, and MEE questions typically are drafted, revised, and finalized over an approximately three-year period, including pre-testing of MBE items on a live exam prior to administration has scored items. For more information, see: https://www.ncbex.org/news/ncbe-statement-on-scotus-decisions-and-the-bar-exam/.

Nature of Examination

The Oregon bar examination is the Uniform Bar Examination, which is comprised of six Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) questions, two Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions, and the 200 multiple choice questions included in the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The exam is given in February and July of each year and is conducted in accordance with the methods prescribed by the Oregon State Board of Bar Examiners and consistent with the UBE administration policies of the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)

Applicants can take the bar exam prior to passing the MPRE but cannot be admitted until they pass both the bar exam and the MPRE. An applicant to the Oregon State Bar must either (a) achieve the passing score within 36 months of passing the Oregon Bar Examination; or (b) have been admitted in another jurisdiction where passage of the MPRE is required for admission and has substantially and continuously engaged in the practice of law for at least 12 months in that jurisdiction.

The MPRE passing score in Oregon is a Scaled Score of 85.

The MPRE is administered separately from the Oregon State Bar Examination, and a separate application for the MPRE must be made to the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). (You may obtain an MPRE Information Booklet from the NCBE, check for available test dates, and/or register on-line at: http://ncbex.org

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodation forms can be found here.

Publication of Applicant Names

Prior to the examination, the names of all applicants will be published in the Oregon State Bar Bulletin, or other publication approved by the Oregon Supreme Court. All names, by which an applicant has been known, absent unusual circumstances, will be published.

Application Fees

The application fee for applicants who have not previously been admitted in any jurisdiction is $1000.00, which is to be paid prior to the submission of your application.

Investigation Fee: An investigation fee of $600 is due with the application of any applicant who, on the date of any application in Oregon, has previously been admitted to the practice of law in any other jurisdiction. However, an applicant who has been admitted to the practice of law in any other jurisdiction who reapplies for admission to the practice of law in this state within 12 months of a prior application for admission to the practice of law in this state, and has previously paid the $600 investigation fee, shall pay to the Board of Bar Examiners at the time of filing the reapplication, an investigation fee of $300, in addition to the Application fee prescribed in 1 above.

Late Filing Fee: In addition to the application fee, and when applicable, the investigation fee, a late filing fee of $400 is due with the application of any person filing an application after the timely filing application deadline.  The only exception to this late filing fee is applicants who apply for a July examination after failing the February examination directly before the current July examination (Repeat Examinees).  Repeat Examinees will be considered timely filed, so long as they file their July examination application by the late filing deadline for that July examination.  

Applications received after the late filing deadline will not be accepted and any fees paid will be refunded.

Application Withdrawal and Fee Refund

Up to 28 days before the first day of a bar exam, an applicant who has applied for that exam may request a one-time transfer of a portion of their exam application fee as a credit toward fees owed for their application for admission through another Oregon bar admission pathway for which they are presently eligible. Once a transfer has taken place, those funds may not be transferred to any other program or application and shall be the property of the Board and the Oregon State Bar. The amount of the application fee eligible for transfer shall be determined by a process developed by the Board and published on the bar's admissions website.

If an applicant is found to be unqualified to take the examination, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of $300.

Aside from the one-time transfer request listed above, no refund or credit shall be provided as to any fee, including any application, investigation, or late fees; penalty; or cost paid to the Board or Oregon State Bar.

Additional Information

Hand Writers

One side of paper only; and, one line of text per line only. Text written outside of lines will not be considered.

Laptop Computer Users

A non-refundable $150 fee must be paid to ILG Exam360 when you register with ILG Technologies to take the examination using a laptop computer.

Examination Paper

Paper will be furnished for the hand writers and will be available for laptop users in the event of any equipment, or electrical failure or other unforeseen problem. Applicants using laptops will be uploading their answers and will not need answer paper for laptop answers.

Photo Requirements

If you have any questions, please read:

The Oregon Supreme Court's "Rules for Admission of Attorneys"