Washington begins using the Uniform Bar Exam in July 2013. In addition to the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), applicants must take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), and, the Washington Law Component (WLC), which is an online open book multiple choice test on Washington specific law. Information about the content of the UBE and MPRE is available on the website for the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Washington's policies for the UBE are in the WSBA Admission Policies.
- Washington's pass score on the UBE is 270.
- Washington's pass score on the MPRE is 85. The MPRE score is valid if you earned the score three years prior to sitting for the UBE or up to one year after sitting for the UBE.
- Washington's pass score on the WLC is 80%. You may take the WLC anytime after filing your application up until one year after sitting for the UBE.
UBE Score Transfer
If you have a UBE score of 270 or higher from another state, you can transfer your score to Washington for up to 40 months after the date of the administration of the UBE in which the score was earned. The MPRE score must be acquired 3 years before or after the date you sat for the UBE. UBE transfer applicants may apply beginning March 1, 2013, and must have an acceptable UBE transfer score at the time of application. UBE transfer applicants may be admitted on this basis beginning July 1, 2013.
Transition Rules for Repeat Applicants
An exception will be made for the July 2013 UBE only, to accept Washington's professional responsibility exam in lieu of the MPRE for those applicants who previously passed the Washington professional responsibility exam within 25 months prior to the July 2013 exam, but who failed the substantive portion of the Washington bar exam.
An exception will be made to use a passing MPRE score in lieu of Washington’s professional responsibility exam for those applicants who pass the substantive portion of the Washington bar exam but fail the professional responsibility portion under the following terms and conditions:
- the passing score for the substantive exam must have been earned no more than 25 months prior to the July 2013 bar exam date;
- applicants must sit for and make an honest effort to pass the professional responsibility portion of the Washington bar exam in February 2013;
- applicants, upon failing the professional responsibility exam, must apply for the July 2013 bar exam;
- the previously earned passing score on the substantive portion will be accepted in lieu of the UBE;
- applicants must submit a passing MPRE score earned after the February 2013 bar exam;
- the qualified passing MPRE score will be accepted in lieu of the professional responsibility exam;
- applicants must comply with all other requirements for admission in effect for the Uniform Bar Exam, including taking and passing the Washington Law Component;
- applicants applying under this exception will not be qualified for admission prior to July 1, 2013;
- applicants must complete all requirements for admission and be admitted to practice within one year from the date of the February 2013 bar exam.
All other repeat applicants must sit for and pass the UBE and the MPRE.
Required NCBE Number
All applicants applying for the MPRE or the UBE are required to obtain a unique NCBE number. Please refer to the NCBE Number webpage to obtain your NCBE number.
Taking the UBE
MEE/MPT
When answering the MEE and MPT portions of the UBE, you will:
- have the choice to use your laptop computer using ExamSoft's Softest software.
- have NO character limits.
- have no access to spell-check on Softest (hand writers do not have spell-check so this keeps it fair for all applicants).
- have the ability to bold and underline.
- have the ability to copy/cut and paste while traditional methods for hand writers of referring to above sections or using arrows will still be acceptable.
- have scratch paper on your table.
The MEE and MPT will be graded on a scale of 1 to 6. See the WSBA Grading Standards for a definition of each score.
MBE
You will not need to bring anything with you to complete the MBE. Pencils will be provided.
The MPRE
The MPRE is separately administered from the UBE. Information about how to apply for the MPRE is available from the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
The WSBA does not provide MPRE score information to your law school so your law school may ask you for your MPRE scores for statistical purposes.
Washington Law Component (WLC)
In order to be admitted to practice law in Washington, you must successfully pass the Washington Law Component. This online test is based on the Washington Law Component (WLC) Research Materials, which include 15 outlines on various subjects of law. The purpose of the WLC is to educate new lawyers in Washington about areas of law that are unique to Washington law or that are substantially different from the law tested on the Uniform Bar Exam.
You will be able to access the test from your online admissions account after you submit your application and pay the application fee. There are 60 multiple choice questions to be answered in no more than four hours. You will have access to the research materials while taking the test. You must answer 80% of the questions correctly to pass.