Washington Bar Exam (UBE) details

A typical Washington Bar Exam is a 2-day Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)

Washington Bar Exam information is subject to change without notice. Please verify with the Washington State Bar Association.

Please also reference the NCBE Covid-19 updates page for NCBE updates and individual jurisdiction announcements.

Day 1

  • Six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam questions (MEE in the AM)
  • Two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test questions (MPT in the PM)

Day 2

  • Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question, multiple-choice exam (100 questions in the AM, 100 questions in the PM)

MBE

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

MEE

  • Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations; and Limited Liability Companies)
  • Conflict of Laws
  • Family Law
  • Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests)
  • Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code
  • Plus all MBE subjects

MPT

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

MPRE

  • A passing score of 85 on the MPRE must be acquired no earlier than three years prior to, and no later than 40 months after, the date of the administration of the UBE in which the applicant achieves a passing score.

Click here to learn more about the MPRE.

The MEE and MPT scores are scaled to the MBE.

  • MBE weighted 50%
  • MEE weighted 30%
  • MPT weighted 20%

A total scaled score of 270 or higher is required to pass the Washington Bar Exam.

Acceptance of MBE Score 

Washington does not accept an MBE score from an exam taken in another jurisdiction.

Admission on Motion

A member in good standing of another U.S. state or territory may be admitted on motion in Washington if the applicant has engaged in the active practice of law for three of the five years preceding application. Additional requirements apply.

Admission by UBE Score Transfer

Applicants who have obtained a scaled score of at least 270 on a Uniform Bar Exam taken in another jurisdiction within the preceding 40 months may apply for admission based on that score. Additional requirements apply.

Washington Law Component (WLC)

All applicants for admission as a lawyer must pass the Washington Law Component (WLC); the minimum passing score is 80% correct. The WLC is comprised of online materials and an online multiple-choice test based on areas or subjects of law that are specific to Washington State.

The Board of Bar Examiners is responsible for the content of the WLC and shall publish the Washington state-specific materials for applicants.

We compile all of the information that you need to know about the dates, format, subjects tested, deadlines, fees and more - for each U.S. state - in the free BARBRI Bar Exam Digest.

Download the Digest ›

Find the BARBRI bar prep course that’s built for you

Traditional Bar Review

Full-time course | 8-10 week

Study for any U.S. state exam, including the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE)
Best for:

Candidates with a J.D. from a U.S. law school looking for the quickest, most efficient & effective course to pass any U.S. state bar exam

Extended Bar Prep

Part-time course | 6- or 10-month 

Study for a UBE state, including New York or California
Best for:

Best for candidates without a J.D. from a U.S. law school looking for the most comprehensive bar prep or students who want more study time & flexibility

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