Virginia

ncbex.org

Virginia has announced that it intends to administer the NextGen bar exam in July 2028. Visit https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen (/exams/
nextgen) to learn more about the new exam.

Visit the NCBE Study Aids Store (https://store.ncbex.org/) to learn about MBE study aids (https://store.ncbex.org/mbe/) and MPRE study aids (https://
store.ncbex.org/mpre/) to help prepare for the MBE and MPRE exams.

Bar Admission Agency

Virginia Board of Bar Examiners
2201 W. Broad St., #101
Richmond, VA 23220-2022
Phone: (804) 367-0412
Fax: (804) 367-0416

Visit Website (http://www.barexam.virginia.gov)

Character & Fitness Investigations

NCBE conducts investigations only for those seeking to be certified as Foreign Legal Consultants (FLC) in Virginia.

MPRE Requirements

MPRE Required Yes

MPRE Minimum Passing Score 85

MPRE Score Time Parameters

Non–Uniform Bar Examination Jurisdictions—MPRE Requirements, MBE Score Transfers, and Attorneys’ Exams

Minimum passing MPRE score 85

Are there any time parameters within which an MPRE score must be earned or achieved? Yes

Are MBE scores accepted for transfer from other jurisdictions? Yes

Is an Attorneys' Exam offered? Yes

To qualify for the Attorneys’ Exam, must an applicant be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school? No

Attorneys’ Exam fee $1,150

Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees

ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required No

Foreign Law Graduate Eligibility Yes

Foreign Legal Education

Are graduates of foreign law schools eligible for admission by examination? Yes

If graduates of foreign law schools are eligible for admission by examination, what additional requirements pertain?
Obtained an LLM from an ABA-approved law school and been admitted to the court of last resort in any state or territory of the US or the District of
Columbia.

If a foreign law school graduate obtains an LLM or other graduate law degree from an ABA-approved law school, is the graduate then eligible to take
the bar exam on this basis alone?
No

Bar Exam Application Filing Deadlines

Non–Uniform Bar Examination Jurisdictions—Bar Examination Application Deadlines and Fees

July 2025: First filing deadline May 10

July 2025: Late filing deadline —

February 2026: First filing deadline Dec. 15

February 2026: Late filing deadline —

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Bar exam fee for first-time takers (non-attorneys) $1,150

Bar exam fee for attorneys $1,150

Bar exam fee for repeaters $750 / $1,150

Fee for laptops, if permitted $125

July 2025: First filing deadline May 10

July 2025: Late filing deadline —

February 2026: First filing deadline Dec. 15

February 2026: Late filing deadline —

Bar Exam Application Filing Fees

Non–Uniform Bar Examination Jurisdictions—Bar Examination Application Deadlines and Fees

July 2025: First filing deadline May 10

July 2025: Late filing deadline —

February 2026: First filing deadline Dec. 15

February 2026: Late filing deadline —

Bar exam fee for first-time takers (non-attorneys) $1,150

Bar exam fee for attorneys $1,150

Bar exam fee for repeaters $750 / $1,150

Fee for laptops, if permitted $125

Bar Exam Components

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) Yes

Accepts Transferred MBE Scores Yes

Non–Uniform Bar Examination Jurisdictions—MPRE Requirements, MBE Score Transfers, and Attorneys’ Exams

Minimum passing MPRE score 85

Are there any time parameters within which an MPRE score must be earned or achieved? Yes

Are MBE scores accepted for transfer from other jurisdictions? Yes

Is an Attorneys' Exam offered? Yes

To qualify for the Attorneys’ Exam, must an applicant be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school? No

Attorneys’ Exam fee $1,150

Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) No

Multistate Performance Test (MPT) No

Jurisdiction-Drafted Exam Yes

Non–Uniform Bar Examination Jurisdictions—Admission by Examination

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) Yes

Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) No

Multistate Performance Test (MPT) No

Jurisdiction-drafted exam (essay, multiple-choice, or performance test) Yes

How many times may an applicant take the exam without special permission? 5

Visit the NCBE Study Aids Store (https://store.ncbex.org/) for official test prep materials

UBE Adoption

UBE Adoption No

Admission on Earned or Transferred Bar Exam Score

Non-UBE Minimum Score - Admission on Transferred UBE Score No

Admission on Motion

Rules Provide for Admission on Motion Yes

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Admission on Motion—Years of Practice and Definition of Practice

Do the rules provide for admission on motion? Yes

What is the number of years of practice required for admission on motion? 3 of past 5

What does the definition of practice for purposes of admission on motion include?
Private practice; corporate counsel; gov't practice; state or federal judge; state or federal law clerk; active-duty judge advocate

Are there any time parameters within which an MPRE score must have been earned or achieved? No

Admission on motion fee $2,500

Legal Education and Reciprocity Requirements

Admission on Motion—Legal Education and Reciprocity Requirements

Must an applicant for admission on motion be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school? No

Is admission on motion based on reciprocity (that is, is it limited to candidates from some or all jurisdictions offering admission on motion)? Yes

Is an attorney initially admitted by diploma privilege eligible for admission on motion? Yes

Number of Years of Practice Required 3 of past 5

Admission on Motion—Years of Practice and Definition of Practice

Do the rules provide for admission on motion? Yes

What is the number of years of practice required for admission on motion? 3 of past 5

What does the definition of practice for purposes of admission on motion include?
Private practice; corporate counsel; gov't practice; state or federal judge; state or federal law clerk; active-duty judge advocate

Are there any time parameters within which an MPRE score must have been earned or achieved? No

Admission on motion fee $2,500

Disclaimer

Since jurisdiction rules and policies change, NCBE strongly advises consulting the jurisdiction's bar admission agency directly for the most current
information.

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