Jurisdiction information summary for the District of Columbia bar admission process.
NextGen UBE Notice
District of Columbia has announced that it intends to administer the NextGen bar exam in February 2028. Visit https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen to learn more about the new exam.
Exam Information
District of Columbia requires the following NCBE exams: MBE, MEE, MPT, and MPRE.
Visit the NCBE Study Aids Store to purchase the Bar Exam Everything Value Pack, which includes MBE, MEE, and MPT study aids, and MPRE study aids to help prepare for District of Columbia exams.
Bar Exam
| NextGen UBE | Yes |
|---|---|
| Date First Administration | February 2028 |
| Minimum Passing Score | 616 |
| NextGen UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | TBA |
| Legacy UBE | Yes |
| Date Final Administration | July 2027 |
| Minimum Passing Score | 266 |
| Legacy UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam | No |
Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees
| ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required | No (Details) |
|---|---|
| Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility | Yes (Details) |
| Bar Exam Application Filing Deadlines |
July 2026
February 2027 |
| Bar Exam Application Filing Fees | Details |
Score Portability
| Accepts Legacy UBE Score | Yes |
|---|---|
| Minimum Legacy UBE Score | 266 |
| Accepts NextGen UBE Score | Yes |
| Minimum NextGen UBE Score | 616 |
| Date First Acceptance NextGen UBE Score | July 2026 |
| Maximum Score Age | 5 years (Details) |
| Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| Accepts Transferred MBE Scores | No |
MPRE Requirements
| MPRE Required | Yes |
|---|---|
| MPRE Minimum Passing Score | 75 |
| MPRE Score Time Parameters | Details |
Admission on Motion
| Rules Provide for Admission on Motion | Yes (Details) |
|---|---|
| Legal Education and Reciprocity Requirements | Details |
| Number of Years of Practice Required | 3 |
Bar Admission Agency
Committee on Admissions
D.C. Court of Appeals
430 E St. NW, Rm. 123
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 879-2710
Fax: (202) 879-2794
Email: coa@dcappeals.gov
Character & Fitness Investigations
NCBE conducts investigations for some application types.
Process Overview
Submission
Requirements, deadlines, and processing times vary among jurisdictions. Application processes are determined solely by the jurisdiction to which you are applying. Contact your jurisdiction for specific application instructions and deadlines.
Application and Fee
Completing and submitting a character and fitness application is only part of the bar application process.
NCBE Character Report Fee Schedule — District of Columbia
Character Report Application fees increased on October 1, 2026.
This information is for reference only. Your assigned fee and payment options are specified after submission of your online application.
| Fee Category | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| II | $435 | Your first law degree (JD or LLB) is anticipated to be awarded within one year or less and you have not been authorized to practice law. |
| III | $625 | Your first law degree (JD or LLB) was obtained in the United States and awarded more than one year ago or you have been authorized to practice law only in the United States. |
| IV | $975 | Your first law degree (JD or LLB) was not obtained in the United States (regardless of whether a subsequent US law degree was conferred) or you have ever been authorized to practice law in a foreign country. |
Supplemental Conditions
You may be eligible for a reduced fee if NCBE has completed a character report for you in the last four years. Completion of a new application is required.
| Fee Category | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| V | $275 | A complete Category I, II, or III report was prepared by NCBE for a different jurisdiction. |
| VI | $135 | A complete Category I, II, or III report was prepared by NCBE for the same jurisdiction. |
| VII | $500 | A complete Category IV report was prepared by NCBE for any jurisdiction. |
In addition to the processing fee, NCBE reserves the right to pass along the cost of obtaining records in conjunction with this application.
Refunds: If you request a refund for any reason after submitting your payment, an administrative fee will be retained. Refund of payment may be granted only in limited circumstances. Once NCBE has generated correspondence on your application, the entire fee payment is non-refundable.
How to Apply
Please visit your jurisdiction’s website for access to the online application and submission instructions.
Submit all requested documentation with the application. Incomplete or inaccurate responses will cause delay.
Processing by NCBE
NCBE may contact the schools, employers, courts, etc., identified in your application to gather relevant information. A prompt response to any inquiries from NCBE staff is required to prevent delays. The jurisdiction to which you are applying may also contact you and others to gather information.
If NCBE conducts an investigation, you may log in to your NCBE account to view status updates and you should monitor your email, NCBE Account, and text messages in case our investigators need additional information.
Final Review
The jurisdiction will review your application materials and, in some instances, NCBE's investigation report, and may require you to provide additional information or explanation or to appear for a personal interview.
NCBE makes no determinations or recommendations regarding who is eligible or ineligible to practice law. Jurisdictions make this determination.
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Disclaimer
Since jurisdiction rules and policies change, NCBE strongly advises consulting the jurisdiction's bar admission agency directly for the most current information.