Jurisdiction information summary for the Iowa bar admission process.
NextGen Exam Notice:
Iowa has announced that it intends to first administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2027.
Visit
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen
to learn more about the new exam.
Exam Information:
Iowa 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 Iowa exams.
Bar Admission Agency
Iowa Board of Law Examiners
Office of Professional Regulation
Iowa Judicial Branch Building
1111 East Court Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 348-4670
Fax: (515) 348-4698
Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees
| ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility | No |
| 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 | 2 years / 5 years (Details) |
| Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| Accepts Transferred MBE Scores | No |
Character & Fitness Investigations
NCBE conducts investigations for some application types.
Character & Fitness Services for IA
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 | 5 of past 7 |
Bar Exam
| Legacy UBE | Yes |
|---|---|
| Date Final Administration (Legacy UBE) | February 2027 |
| Legacy UBE Minimum Passing Score | 266 |
| Legacy UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | No |
| NextGen UBE | Yes |
| Date First Administration (NextGen UBE) | July 2027 |
| NextGen UBE Minimum Passing Score | TBA |
| NextGen UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | TBA |
| 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.