Jurisdiction information summary for the Washington bar admission process.
NextGen Exam Notice:
Washington has announced that it intends to administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2026.
Visit
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen
to learn more about the new exam.
Sales Tax Notice:
As of October 1, 2025, the State of Washington requires NCBE to collect sales tax on its
character and fitness investigation services from anyone submitting an application to the
State Bar of Washington.
Exam Information:
Washington 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 Washington exams.
Bar Admission Agency
Washington State Bar Association
1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600
Seattle, WA 98101-2539
Phone:
(206) 727-8209
Fax:
(206) 727-8313
Email: admissions@wsba.org
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
See full deadline chart: Details
- July 2025: First filing deadline – March 5
- July 2025: Late filing deadline – April 5
- February 2026: First filing deadline – Oct. 5
- February 2026: Late filing deadline – Nov. 5
Bar Exam Application Filing Fees
See Washington bar exam application fee details on the jurisdiction charts: 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 | July 2026 |
| Maximum Score Age | 40 months (Details) |
| Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement (Score Transfer) | Yes |
| Accepts Transferred MBE Scores | No |
Character & Fitness Investigations
NCBE conducts investigations for some application types.
Learn more and access services here: Character & Fitness Services for WA .
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 | 3 of past 5 |
Bar Exam
| Legacy UBE | Yes |
|---|---|
| Date Final Administration (Legacy UBE) | February 2026 |
| Minimum Passing Score (Legacy UBE) | 266 |
| Legacy UBE Jurisdiction-Specific Requirement | Yes (Details) |
| NextGen UBE | Yes |
| Date First Administration (NextGen UBE) | July 2026 |
| Minimum Passing Score (NextGen UBE) | 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.