Kentucky Bar Exam Information
The Kentucky Office of Bar Admission is responsible for administering the Kentucky State Bar Exam. The exam is a requirement for newly-graduated law school students wishing to practice law in Kentucky. In order to qualify for the exam, applicants must have earned a JD or equivalent degree at an ABA-approved law school.
| Exam Dates: | Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023 |
| Exam Type: | Two-day UBE Exam |
| Location: | Clarion Hotel, Lexington KY |
| Application Fee: | $875 |
| On-Motion Application Fee: | $,1500 |
| Filing Deadline: | Oct 1st, 2022 |
| Late Filing Deadline: | Nov 10th, 2022 |
| Late Fee: | $250-$500 |
When is the 2023 Kentucky Bar Exam?
The Kentucky Bar Exam will take place on July 21st and 22nd. Applicants will need to attend full-day testing sessions on both days. The most current scheduling information can be found by visiting the Kentucky Office of Bar Admissions online.
As of July 2021 Kentucky has adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) provided by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Where is the Kentucky Bar Exam located?
The 2023 Kentucky Bar Exam will be held at the Clarion Hotel located at 1950 Newtown Pike in Lexington, Kentucky. Applicants coming in from out of town are encouraged to stay on site.
How much does the Kentucky Bar Exam cost?
The fee to sit for the Kentucky Bar Exam is $875 if the application is postmarked by October 1st, 2022. Late applications must be postmarked no later than November 10th, 2022 in order to be accepted. A late fee between $250 and $500 will apply. The fee for out-of-state lawyers petitioning for admission without examination is $1,500.
What subjects are tested on the Kentucky Bar Exam?
Subjects tested on the multiple-choice multistate bar exam include constitutional law, contracts, criminal law procedure, evidence, federal civil procedure, real property, and torts. Additional possible subjects in the essay portion of the exam include business associations, family law, trusts, and estates.
What is the format of the Kentucky Bar Exam?
The Kentucky Bar Exam uses questions from all three sections of the Universal Bar Exam created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners—the Multistate Performance Test, the Multistate Essay Exam, and the Multistate Bar Exam. There is also an essay section of the exam with a focus on laws specific to Kentucky.
What is the minimum MPRE score needed to take the Kentucky Bar Exam?
Applicants must have achieved a scaled score of 80 or greater in order to qualify to take the Kentucky Bar Exam.
How is the Kentucky Bar Exam graded?
The Multistate Bar Exam answer sheets are sent to the National Conference of Bar Examiners to be graded by machine. Applicants can request hand-grading of their exam when applying for an additional $25 fee.
When are the Kentucky Bar scores released?
A list of applicants who have achieved a passing score will be published online approximately two months after the exam. More detailed results will follow shortly thereafter.
Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?
Applicants with a score higher than 132 on the MBE within the past 3 years may transfer their scores to the Kentucky Bar Exam. In this case, the applicant will only need to sit for the essay portion of the exam.
What is the Kentucky Reciprocity Agreement like?
Applicants who have actively practiced law for at least five of the last seven years in a qualifying jurisdiction can apply for Admission on Motion. The fee for applying in this manner $1,500.
How can I contact the Kentucky State Bar?
The phone number for the Kentucky State Bar Association is (502) 546-3795. You can also send them an email at info@kyoba.org, or via mail addressed to:
Kentucky Bar Association
514 Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Useful Links
- Kentucky Bar Association – For information about scheduling, fees, and application forms.
- National Conference of Bar Examiners – Information and study tips for the Universal Bar Exam.