Washington Bar Exam Information
The next Washington Bar Exam is scheduled to take place on Feb 21-22, 2023.
The two-day exam follows the UBE format and includes essays and multiple-choice questions.
| Exam Dates: | Feb 21-22, 2023 & July 25-26 2023 |
| Exam Type: | Two-day Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) with multiple choice and long-form questions |
| Location: | Tacoma, WA |
| Application Fee: | $585 / $620 |
| On-Motion Application Fee: | $620 |
| Filing Deadline: | Oct 5, 2022 |
| Late Filing Deadline: | Nov 5, 2022 |
| Late Fee: | $300 |
When is the 2023 Washington Bar Exam?
The Washington Bar Exam takes place on the last Tuesday and Wednesday of February and July.
See the WSBA website for updated information.
| Applications open | Timely Filing Deadline | Late Filing Deadline ($300 late fee) | |
| February Exam | September 1 (year prior) | October 5 | November 5 |
| July Exam | February 1 (year prior) | March 5 | April 5 |
Where is the Washington Bar Exam Located?
The February 2023 Washington Bar Exam will be held at the Lynnwood Convention Center, located at 3711 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036.
See the WSBA website for more information.
How much does the Washington Bar Exam cost?
General applicants pay a fee of $585 while practicing attorneys pay $620. All foreign and attorney applicants must pay the investigation fee directly to the NCBE. Any applications made within a month after the initial deadline will be subject to a $300 late fee.
Laptops can be used in the exam for a fee of $50 (optional).
Other administrative fees may apply.
Applicants must apply online.
What subjects are tested on the Washington Bar Exam?
MBE Subjects:
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts/Sales
- Criminal Law/Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) Subjects:
- Agency
- Commercial Paper
- Conflict of Laws
- Corporations
- Family Law
- Federal Civil Procedure
- 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 Washington Bar Exam like?
The Washington Bar Exam follows a two-day UBE format:
Day 1:
- Morning: six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) questions
- Afternoon: two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions
Day 2:
- Morning: one hundred multiple-choice Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) questions
- Afternoon: one hundred multiple-choice Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) questions
What is the minimum MPRE score needed to take the Washington Bar exam?
Washington requires a minimum scaled MPRE score of 85 to be obtained within 3 years before or 40 months after admission.
How is the Washington Bar Exam Graded?
The MEE and MPT essay scores are scaled to the MBE multiple-choice questions. The exam is weighted as follows:
- MBE 50%
- MPT 20%
- MEE 30%
Scores from all sections are combined, and a score of 270 or higher is required to pass the exam.
When are the Washington Bar scores released?
The results of the Washington Bar Exam are usually released eight to ten weeks after the exam.
Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?
Washington does not permit the transfer of MBE scores.
What is the Washington Reciprocity Agreement like?
Washington allows admission on motion from reciprocal states under similar conditions. Applicants must complete the admission process within 12 months of filing the application.
How can I contact the Washington State Bar?
Washington State Bar Association
Admissions Office
1325 4th Ave. Ste. 600
Seattle, WA 98101-2539
Phone: (206) 727-8209
Admissions: 206-727-8209
Fax: (206) 727-8313
Email: admissions@wsba.org
Website: www.wsba.org
Useful Links
- Washington State Bar Association administers the Washington Bar Exam
- The Washington Supreme Court is the primary legal body of the state
- The National Conference of Bar Examiners develops the Universal Bar Exam and administers the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).