Washington began using the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) in July 2013. In addition to taking the UBE, Washington applicants must take and pass the Multistage Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), and the Washington Law Component (WLC).
Uniform Bar Exam
The UBE portion of the Washington Bar exam consists of two days in which applicants are required to answer:
- 6 essay questions (MEE);
- 2 Multistate Performance Tests (MPT); and
- 200 multiple choice questions (MBE).
In Washington State, a passing score for the UBE is 270.
Please visit the Washington State Bar Association for further information on qualifications, application requirements, fees, filing deadlines, special accommodations, security policies, transferring UBE scores, bar exam location, exam schedules, and additional details.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
The MPRE can be taken up to 3 years prior to or up to 40 months after taking the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). The MPRE is a 60 question, 2 hour, multiple-choice examination administered three times a year (March, August, and November).
The MPRE is based on the law governing the conduct of lawyers, including the disciplinary rules of professional conduct currently articulated in the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) and the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC), as well as controlling constitutional decisions and generally accepted principles established in leading federal and state cases and in procedural and evidentiary rules.
Please visit the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination website for more information about the MPRE.
Washington Law Component
The WLC is an online, open-book multiple choice test on Washington-specific law. This test is based on the Washington Law Component Research Materials, which include 15 outlines on various subjects of law. Applicants have four hours to answer 60 multiple-choice questions and they will have access to the research materials while taking the test.
Applicants must answer 80% of the questions correctly to pass the WLC. Applicants will be able to access the test from their online admissions account after submitting their application and paying the application fee.
Please visit the Washington Law Component of the Bar Exam for more information about the WLC.
