Missouri Bar Exam Information

The Missouri Bar Exam is administered over the course of two days, twice a year. The exam consists of three sections pertaining to federal and Missouri specific law. In order to qualify for the Missouri Bar Exam, applicants must be a graduate of an ABA accredited law school. Applicants may transfer any MBE scaled score from a different jurisdiction, provided that the applicant is licensed to practice law elsewhere, has not previously failed the Missouri Bar Exam, the transferred MBE was attained within the 19 months preceding the Missouri exam.

Exam Dates:Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023
Exam Type:2-day MPT, MEE, and MBE exam
Location:Columbia and Jefferson City, MO
Application Fee:$485 with Application for Character and Fitness Report
On-Motion Application Fee:$1,240
Filing Deadline:March 1st, October 1st
Final Filing Deadline:May 31st, Dec 31st
Late Fee:$125-560

When is the 2023 Missouri Bar Exam?

The Missouri Bar exam is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 21st and Wednesday, Feb 22nd. A second exam is held July 25th and 26th, 2023. Up to date information about scheduling is available on the Missouri Board of Law Examiners website.

In order to register for the exam, applicants must file their exam application by October 1st for the February exam, and March 1st for the July exam.

Where is the Missouri Bar Exam Located?

The Winter 2023 Missouri Bar Exam will be held at the Stoney Creek Hotel Columbia at 2601 S. Providence Rd. in Columbia, MO. Parking and accommodations are available on site.

The next session, to be held in July 2023, will take place at the Holiday Inn Executive Center at 2200 I-70 Drive S.W. in Columbia, MO.

How much does the Missouri Bar Exam cost?

For an applicant who has never registered to the Missouri Bar Exam prior and has not applied for a Character and Fitness report as a 1L or 2L law student, the fee is $910 before March 1st and October 1st.

For an applicant who has never registered to the Missouri Bar Exam and has applied for a Character and Fitness report as a 1L or 2L law student, the fee is $485.

For a disbarred attorney registering for the Bar exam to seek reinstatement pursuant to rule, the fee is $485.

What subjects are tested on the Missouri Bar Exam?

The subjects applicants are tested on during the Missouri Bar exam include:

  • constitutional law
  • contracts/sales
  • criminal law/procedure
  • evidence
  • real property
  • torts
  • business associations (agency and partnership; corporations and limited liability companies)
  • conflict of laws
  • family law
  • federal civil procedure
  • trusts and estates
  • Uniform Commercial Code and secured transactions

What is the format of the Missouri Bar Exam like?

The exam takes place over two days. On day one, applicants complete two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions and a six-question Multistate Essay Exam (MEE). On day two, applicants complete the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question multiple-choice exam.

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

A total weighted scaled score of 260 out of 400 is required. The MBE is weighted at 50%, MEE scores are weighted at 30%, and MPT scores are weighted at 20%.

How is the Missouri Bar Exam Graded?

The Missouri Bar Exam results are calculated by scale. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) scores the MBE component of the UBE, while the Missouri Board of Law Examiners (MBLE) grades the MEE and MPT components. The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE, and UBE total scores are calculated by the NCBE.

When are the Missouri Bar scores released?

Results for the Missouri Bar Exam are expected to be released within the first two weeks of April for the February exam. Results for July exams are released within the first two weeks of September.

Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?

Missouri will accept a UBE score earned in another UBE jurisdiction if the scaled total score is at least 260 and was attained on a UBE administered within the 24 months preceding the date the application to Missouri is properly submitted.

What is the Missouri Reciprocity Agreement like?

Admission without an exam is possible if the applicant has had 5-10 years of practice in a jurisdiction admitting Missouri attorneys without exam. Applicants must be a graduate of an ABA accredited law school.

How can I contact the Missouri State Bar?

The Missouri Board of Law Examiners can be contacted using the contact information found on their website.

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