The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) will first be administered in a limited number of jurisdictions in July 2026. Check back often for updated information and additional examinee resources.
Important Information
Jurisdictions Administering the NextGen UBE
The following jurisdictions have announced their adoption of the NextGen exam starting with the dates listed below.
July 2026:
Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Palau, Virgin Islands, Washington
July 2027:
Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming
February 2028:
Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois
July 2028:
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia
Date TBD:
Mississippi
A chart showing additional adoption information is available in the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements.
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Test Day Policies
Success on exam day starts with preparation and that includes knowing what to expect. From completing mandatory pre-exam technology checks to following on-site protocols, every examinee should be fully ready on exam day. This includes bringing the correct equipment, verifying your ID, and arriving with your NCBE Number. A standardized launch process ensures fairness and security across all testing locations. This page outlines the key policies and requirements you'll need to follow for a smooth and successful test day.
Scores & Score Portability
The NextGen UBE is scored and equated to ensure consistency across administrations and jurisdictions, with a single score reported on a 500–750 scale. Jurisdictions set their own passing scores, and official results combine performance across multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tasks. Most participating jurisdictions accept portable scores, giving you flexibility in where you pursue licensure. This page provides a high-level overview of how scoring works and how you can transfer your score.
About the NextGen UBE
Set to debut in a limited number of US jurisdictions in July 2026, the NextGen UBE tests a broad range of foundational lawyering skills, utilizing a focused set of clearly identified fundamental legal concepts and principles needed in today’s practice of law. Designed to balance the skills and knowledge needed in litigation and transactional legal practice, the exam reflects many of the key changes occurring in legal education, including those in clinical legal education programs, alternative dispute resolution programs, and legal writing and analysis programs.
The NextGen UBE will be administered over one and a half days, with two three-hour sessions on day one and one three-hour session on day two. Jurisdictions that administer their own local law components may elect to extend day two for that purpose.
The exam will be taken on examinees’ own laptops at in-person, proctored testing locations. As with the current Uniform Bar Exam, examinees may transfer their NextGen UBE scores between jurisdictions that participate in the UBE portability program.
New Resources for Examinees
- Official Examinees’ Guide to the NextGen UBE, July 2026–February 2027: A companion for examinees who are preparing to take the NextGen UBE in July 2026 or February 2027, The Guide provides an overview of the exam’s structure, timing, content, and grading; details about the exam registration process, pre-exam requirements, and what to expect on exam day; and an attorney admissions road map that highlights key steps for law students and graduates to take each year.
- NextGen UBE Content Scope, July 2026–February 2027: The July 2026–February 2027 Content Scope describes the topics and skills that will be tested, as well as the depth at which each topic will be tested, during the first two administrations of the NextGen UBE.
- NextGen UBE exam software preview: This online preview simulates the experience of using the secure delivery platform that will be used to administer the NextGen UBE, allowing examinees to explore the platform’s features and layout. (Note that examinees will be required to install a secure testing browser on their laptops and complete an exam tutorial before exam day.)
Coming soon:
- Official NextGen UBE study aids, delivered in the same exam software used for the real exam.
- Sourcebooks of Law for the NextGen UBE: NCBE’s July 2026–February 2027 Sourcebook series serves as a companion to the NextGen UBE Content Scope, information about which legal concepts and principles are within the scope of doctrine tested on the new exam.
Registration Information
Preparing to take the NextGen UBE starts with the registration process. From creating your NCBE Account to applying through your jurisdiction and completing essential pre-exam requirements, each step plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth exam experience. Whether you're confirming deadlines, requesting accommodations, or preparing your laptop for exam day, this page outlines what you need to know to successfully register and get ready for the NextGen UBE.
Preparing for the NextGen UBE
The NextGen UBE launches July 2026, bringing with it an innovative, skills-based approach to assessing new lawyers. Whether you're an examinee, law student, or faculty member, staying informed is key to success. Sign up now for our monthly Countdown to the NextGen UBE emails to stay ahead with essential updates, resources, and study tools. Review the Official Examinees' Guide, content scope outlines, and sample questions to orient you to the NextGen UBE.