Bar Certification Forms (Maryland and all other jurisdictions):
COVID19 Protocols: While the law school is under COVID19 restrictions and adaptations for remote learning, please submit all bar certification requests/deans certfication forms/etc to MDBarCert@law.umaryland.edu. Make sure to include all relevant information and a copy of your release of information.
Taking the Bar Exam in Maryland:
(last updated June 2019)
Bar Certifications:
For current information about taking the bar exam in Maryland, please visit the Board of Law Examiners’ web site (http://www.courts.state.md.us/ble/index.html).
Generally, a bar exam tests applicants for admission on a pre-selected comprehensive array of legal subjects identified as essential to entering legal practice in a jurisdiction. The core components of any bar exam are the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) or state essays, and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). In most jurisdictions including Maryland, the bar exam is administered twice a year, at the end of February and July.
The exam follows two main formats, traditional and the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). The traditional format offers the MBE, essays crafted by the testing jurisdiction, and the MPT. Under the UBE, the exam consists of the MBE, MEE, and MPTs. Under both formats, passage is determined by attaining a minimum cut-score. However, under the UBE, applicants may apply for admission based on their score in as many UBE-jurisdictions as their score permits.
The MBE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions administered over six hours on the second day of the exam. Both the essays and MPT(s) are administered on the first day of the exam. The MEE consists of six 30-minute essay questions while state essays may vary in number and length of response time and cover both MBE subject matter as well as additional subjects. The MPT is a “self-contained” written assignment in which applicants are instructed to produce a commonly written legal work-product, such as an office memorandum or client letter, within the prescribed 90-minute time limit.
For more information on the MBE, MEE, MPT and UBE including cut-scores, please visit The National Conference of Bar Examiners web site (http://www.ncbex.org/).
UBE Adoption Map UBE Adoption by Jurisdiction Map
Bar Testing in Maryland
Beginning July 2019, admission to the Maryland bar will require the following:
- A minimum qualifying cut-score of 266 on the UBE;
- A minimum qualifying cut score of 85 on the MPRE;
- Completion of the MD Law Component (online only), and
- A Character and Fitness evaluation including a personal interview.
Beginning July 1, 2019, Maryland will accept transferred UBE scores for admission.
Please check the Board’s web site for up-to-date information.
What legal subjects are tested?
Core subjects tested on the MD bar exam include: Civil Procedure, Torts, Real Property, Evidence, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Contracts and Constitutional Law. These subjects are tested on both the MBE and essay portions of the exam and may be the context for the MPT. Additional subjects tested on the essay portion include: Trusts & Estates, Family Law, Conflict of Laws, Business Associations, and Secured Transactions.
The Maryland Law Component tests only local legal distinctions in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, MD Civil Procedure, Family Law, Professional Responsibility, Torts, and Trusts & Estates. Subject Matter Study Outlines are provided by the Board for applicant preparation.
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) tests on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Rules of Judicial Conduct, and controlling federal statutes and judicial opinions. Please see The National Conference of Bar Examiners web site for more information.
When do I have to register for the bar exam?
Under the Maryland Rules for Admission, anyone seeking admission to Maryland must file an application which consists of a completed Character Questionnaire, and either a Notice of Intent to Take the UBE in Maryland or a Notice of Intent to Transfer a Qualifying UBE Score.
Filing deadlines are the May 20 immediately preceding a July UBE administration, and the December 20 immediately preceding a February administration.
Please check the Board’s web site for exact deadlines and updates.