Jurisdiction information summary for the Massachusetts bar admission process.
NextGen Exam Notice:
Massachusetts has announced that it intends to administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2028.
Visit
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen
to learn more about the new exam.
Exam Information:
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts exams.
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 (Details) |
|---|---|
| Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility | Yes (Details) |
Filing Deadlines
View detailed deadline and fee chart
- July 2025: First filing deadline – At least 75 days before the exam
- July 2025: Late filing deadline – —
- February 2026: First filing deadline – At least 75 days before the exam
- February 2026: Late filing deadline – —
Application Filing Fees
See Massachusetts bar exam application fee details on the jurisdiction charts: Details.
Score Portability
| Accepts Legacy UBE Score | Yes |
|---|---|
| Minimum Legacy UBE Score | 270 |
| Accepts NextGen UBE Score | Yes |
| Minimum NextGen UBE Score | TBA |
| Date First Acceptance NextGen UBE Score | TBA |
| Maximum Score Age | 36 months (Details) |
| Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement (Score Transfer) | Yes |
| Accepts Transferred MBE Scores | No |
Character & Fitness Investigations
NCBE conducts investigations only for those seeking admission on motion in Massachusetts.
Character & Fitness Services for MA
MPRE Requirements
| MPRE Required | Yes |
|---|---|
| MPRE Minimum Passing Score | 85 |
| 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 2028 |
| Legacy UBE Minimum Passing Score | 270 |
| Legacy UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | Yes (Details) |
| NextGen UBE | Yes |
| Date First Administration (NextGen UBE) | July 2028 |
| NextGen UBE Minimum Passing Score | TBA |
| NextGen UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | Yes (Details) |
| 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.