Texas Bar Exam Information

The next Texas Bar Exam is scheduled to take place on Feb 21-22, 2023.

Exam Dates:Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023
Exam Type:2-day UBE exam with multiple choice and long-form questions
Location:Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock, and Waco.
Application Fee:$150 / $1,140
On-Motion Application Fee:$890
Filing Deadline:Sept 1, 2022
Late Filing Deadline:Nov 1, 2022 / Dec 1, 2022
Late Fee:$150 / $300

When is the 2023 Texas Bar Exam?

The Texas Bar Exam takes place on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July.

See the Texas Board of Law Examiners website for more information.

Where is the Texas Bar Exam Located?

The February 2023 exam will take place at the Austin Convention Center at 500 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, Texas 78701.

More information on what to expect on exam day is available on the TBLE website.

How much does the Texas Bar Exam cost?

Students pay an examination fee of $150, and attorneys pay $750. The re-application fee for both students and attorneys is $75.

The timely filing deadline for the Feb 2023 exam is September 1, 2022, the late filing deadline ($150 fee) is November 1, and the final filing deadline ($300 fee) is December 1, 2022.

Laptops may be used in the exam for a fee of $50 (optional).

An NCBE character report and other administrative fees may apply.

What subjects are tested on the Texas 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 Texas Bar Exam like?

The Texas Bar Exam is a Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) administered over two days. As of Feb 2021 The Texas Bar Association has decided to fully implement the Multistate Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. There are three segments of the test including a multiple-choice exam, an essay section, and two 90-minute performance test questions.

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

Texas requires a minimum scaled MPRE score of 85.

How is the Texas Bar Exam Graded?

The Texas Bar Exam is weighted as follows:

  • MBE 40%
  • Essays 40%
  • Procedure/Evidence exam 10%
  • MPT 10%

Scores from all sections are scaled and combined, and a grade of 675 or higher out of 1,000 is required to pass the exam.

When are the Texas Bar scores released?

The results of the July Texas Bar Exam are released in early October. The results of the September Bar Exam are expected to be released in early November.

Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?

Texas does not accept MBE scores from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.

What is the Texas Reciprocity Agreement like?

Texas will accept admission on motion if the applicant meets the following requirements:

  • actively engaged in the practice of law for at least 5 of 7 years immediately preceding the application
  • has a JD from an ABA-accredited law school
  • has a valid, active license
  • has been a member of the bar in good standing at all times

How can I contact the Texas State Bar?

Texas Board of Law Examiners

P.O. Box 13486
Austin, TX 78711-3486
Telephone: (512) 463-1621
https://ble.texas.gov/home

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