Bar Admission Agency
Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square, Suite 5-140
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 482-4466
Fax: (617) 542-5943
Email: info@bbe.state.ma.us
Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees
| ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required | ✕ No |
| Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility | ✓ Yes |
| July 2026: First filing deadline | At least 75 days |
| July 2026: Late filing deadline | — |
| February 2027: First filing deadline | At least 75 days |
| February 2027: Late filing deadline | — |
Score Portability
| Accepts Legacy UBE Score | ✓ Yes |
| Minimum Legacy UBE Score | 270 |
| Accepts NextGen UBE Score | ✓ Yes |
| Minimum NextGen UBE Score | 620 |
| Date First Acceptance NextGen UBE Score | July 2026 |
| Maximum Score Age | 5 years |
| Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | ✓ Yes |
| Accepts Transferred MBE Scores | ✕ No |
Character & Fitness Investigations
NCBE conducts investigations only for those seeking admission on motion in Massachusetts.
MPRE Requirements
| MPRE Required | ✓ Yes |
| MPRE Minimum Passing Score | 85 |
Admission on Motion
| Rules Provide for Admission on Motion | ✓ Yes |
| Number of Years of Practice Required | 5 of past 7 |
Bar Exam
| NextGen UBE | ✓ Yes |
| Date First Administration | July 2028 |
| Minimum Passing Score | 620 |
| NextGen UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | ✓ Yes |
| Legacy UBE | ✓ Yes |
| Date Final Administration | February 2028 |
| Legacy UBE Minimum Passing Score | 270 |
| Legacy UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | ✓ Yes |
| Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam | ✕ No |