Maine Bar Exam Information

The Maine bar exam, which follows a two-day UBE format comprised of written and multiple-choice questions, will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in South Portland.

Applications must be submitted by Dec 20, 2022.

Exam Dates:Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023
Exam Type:Two-day exam with long-form and multiple-choice questions
Location:South Portland, Maine
Application Fee:$600
On-Motion Application Fee:$900 + $105 to 500 (depending on NCBE application)
Filing Deadline:Dec 10, 2022
Late Filing Deadline:14 calendar days after the deadline
Late Fee:Within 7 calendar days = $150

Within 14 calendar days = $300

When is the 2023 Maine Bar Exam?

The Maine Bar exam normally takes place on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July.

Where is the Maine Bar Exam Located?

The September 2023 Maine Bar Exam will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in South Portland.

There are two DoubleTree hotels with similar names in Portland, so be careful to go to the address on Maine Mall Road. The DoubleTree Hotel is approximately 10 minutes from the Portland International Airport, and rooms are available for a reasonable price. Numerous other accommodation options are available in the area.

Free on-site parking is available for hotel guests only. Paid parking is available at the nearby Maine Mall.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

  • 363 Maine Mall Rd, Portland, ME 04106
  • +1 207-775-6161

How much does the Maine Bar Exam cost?

The standard application fee for the Maine Bar Exam is $600.

A late fee of $150 applies for applications made within seven calendar days of the July 17 deadline. Applications made within 7 and 14 calendar days of the deadline incur a $300 late fee. No applications will be accepted beyond 14 calendar days of the aforementioned deadline.

Applicants who have been admitted to another jurisdiction for a period of at least one year will pay a $650 fee plus an NCBE fee between $105 and $500.

Eligible on motion applicants will pay a fee of $900 plus an NCBE fee between $105 and $500.

All payments must be made by cashier’s check, personal check, treasurer’s check, or money order to the Board of Bar Examiners.

What subjects are tested on the Maine Bar Exam?

The following subjects are tested on the Maine Bar Exam:

MBE Subjects:

  • Constitutional Law
  • Contracts/Sales
  • Criminal Law/Procedure
  • Evidence
  • Federal Civil Procedure
  • Real Property
  • Torts

Maine Essay Subjects:

  • Agency
  • Commercial Paper
  • Conflict of Laws
  • Corporations
  • Creditors’ Rights
  • Equity
  • Family Law
  • Federal Income Taxation
  • ME Code of Professional Responsibility
  • ME Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure
  • ME Rules of Evidence
  • Partnerships
  • Secured Transactions
  • Trusts & Wills
  • plus all MBE subjects

Multistate Performance Test:

“Closed universe” practical problem using instructions, factual data, cases, statutes and other reference material supplied by examiners.

What is the format of the Maine Bar Exam like?

The Maine Bar Exam follows a two-day UBE format consisting of long-form and multiple-choice questions.

Day 1:

Morning: two 90-minute questions for the Multistate Performance Test (MPT)

Afternoon: six 30-minute questions for the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE)

Day 2:

Morning: 100 multiple choice questions for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

Afternoon: 100 multiple choice questions for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE)

What is the minimum MPRE score needed to take the Maine Bar exam?

A scaled MPRE score of 80 is required for admission into the Maine Bar exam.

How is the Maine Bar Exam Graded?

The MBE and the written portion of the test are both scaled at 50% each. A scaled passing score of 270 is required to pass the Maine Bar exam.

When are the Maine Bar scores released?

Results for the Maine Bar Exam will be released within 75 days of the exam date.

Exam results will be posted online at the Maine Board of Bar Examiners website and posted to the applicant’s registered mailing address.

Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?

Maine Board of Bar Examiners will no longer accept prior MBE scores. Therefore, MBE scores previously obtained from other jurisdictions cannot be used to apply.

What is the Maine Reciprocity Agreement like?

Maine no longer requires reciprocity with a foreign jurisdiction for admission by motion. On Motion applicants must comply with the following prerequisites:

  • Admitted to practice law in an American state or territory, including D.C.
  • Practiced law for three of the past five years immediately preceding the date of the motion in that state or territory.

How can I contact the Maine State Bar?

The Maine Board of Bar Examiners can be contacted at the following:

  • Telephone: 207-623-2464
  • Fax: 207-622-0059
  • Address: P.O. Box 140, Augusta, ME 04332
  • Email: execdir@mainebarexaminers.org
  • Website: mainebarexaminers.org

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