Jurisdiction information summary for the Illinois bar admission process.
NextGen Exam Notice:
Illinois 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:
Illinois 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 Illinois exams.
Bar Admission Agency
Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar
625 S. College St.
Springfield, IL 62704-2521
Phone: (217) 522-5917
Fax: (217) 522-3728
Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees
| ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility | Yes (Details) |
| Bar Exam Application Filing Deadlines |
Details
|
| 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 | TBA |
| Date First Acceptance NextGen UBE Score | TBA |
| Maximum Score Age | 4 years (Details) |
| Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| Accepts Transferred MBE Scores | No |
Character & Fitness Investigations
This jurisdiction does not use NCBE's character and fitness services; please contact Illinois for filing instructions.
MPRE Requirements
| MPRE Required | Yes |
|---|---|
| MPRE Minimum Passing Score | 80 |
| 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 of past 5 |
Bar Exam
| Legacy UBE | Yes |
|---|---|
| Date Final Administration (Legacy UBE) | July 2027 |
| Legacy UBE Minimum Passing Score | 266 |
| Legacy UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| NextGen UBE | Yes |
| Date First Administration (NextGen UBE) | February 2028 |
| NextGen UBE Minimum Passing Score | TBA |
| NextGen UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam | No |
Visit the NCBE Study Aids Store for official test prep materials.
Disclaimer:
Since jurisdiction rules and policies change, NCBE strongly advises consulting the jurisdiction's bar admission agency directly for the most current information.