When Does Arizona Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- July 2027
- July 27–28, 2027
- NextGen passing score
- TBA
- NCBE recommends 610–620
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Arizona specifics: Online Arizona-law course required for admission.
Arizona still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 270 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is July 2027 — July 27–28, 2027.
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Arizona before July 2027 take the current exam; from July 2027 onward, the NextGen format applies. If your timeline could cross the switch — say a first attempt on the old exam and a retake after — factor in that the two formats reward different preparation.
Arizona has not announced its NextGen passing score yet. NCBE recommends setting it between 610 and 620 on the 500–750 scale — a sensible planning target in the meantime.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Arizona listing and its 2026 Comprehensive Guide (Charts 7 and 17), checked on September 20, 2026. Registration windows, fees, and character & fitness requirements are set by the Arizona Supreme Court Committees on Examinations and Character and Fitness — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Arizona deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Arizona listing and its 2026 Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, checked on September 20, 2026. Boards change these without notice, so treat the board’s own site as the final word.
Application deadlines
- February 2027 exam (legacy UBE)
- First filing deadline Oct. 31; late filing deadline Nov. 30.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Mar. 31; late filing deadline April 30. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $680 (plus C&F fee)
- Attorneys
- $680 (plus C&F fee)
- Repeaters
- $680
- Laptop
- $125
As listed in NCBE’s 2026 Comprehensive Guide (Chart 7). Where more than one amount appears, the tier depends on filing date or applicant category. NCBE also charges a separate $149 technology fee for the NextGen UBE, paid through the NCBE account.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum 620.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Arizona through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 5 years.
Applicants for NextGen UBE score transfer must achieve a minimum score of 620 until further order of the Supreme Court of Arizona. For the full order, see https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/22/admorder/Orders25/2025-209.pdf?ver=5Lhg6OKzVq_D0e0dzEBWEw%3d%3d .
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: Yes. Online course on Arizona law will be required prior to admission for all applicants.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Arizona Supreme Court Committees on Examinations and Character and Fitness. 1501 W. Washington, #104 Phoenix, AZ 85007-3225 Phone: (602) 452-3971 Fax: (602) 452-3958 Email: attorneyadmissions@courts.az.gov
Preparing for the NextGen format
The NextGen exam tests 8 foundational subjects through three item types — standalone MCQs (including 6-option select-two), integrated question sets, and performance tasks. BARGO covers all three with exam-format practice, honest availability per subject, and a free diagnostic to find your baseline.
Arizona FAQs
Quick answers
When does Arizona first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Arizona Supreme Court Committees on Examinations and Character and Fitness, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Arizona?
Not announced yet. NCBE recommends jurisdictions set passing between 610 and 620 on the 500–750 scale, so treat 615 as a planning midpoint until Arizona publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Arizona?
Yes — Arizona requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Arizona before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where Arizona's cut score is 270 on the 400-point scale. The legacy UBE's final administration nationwide is February 2028.
When is the application deadline for the February 2027 bar exam in Arizona?
Oct. 31, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 30, per NCBE's listing for Arizona. The February 2027 sitting in Arizona is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Arizona Supreme Court Committees on Examinations and Character and Fitness before relying on it.
How much does the Arizona bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $680 (plus C&F fee) for first-time takers, $680 (plus C&F fee) for attorneys and $680 for repeaters, plus $125 to use a laptop. Where more than one amount is listed, the tier depends on filing date or applicant category. Fees change, so the board's own schedule is authoritative.
Does Arizona accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 5 years. Applicants for NextGen UBE score transfer must achieve a minimum score of 620 until further order of the Supreme Court of Arizona. For the full order, see https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/22/admorder/Orders25/2025-209.pdf?ver=5Lhg6OKzVq_D0e0dzEBWEw%3d%3d .
What is the Arizona-specific requirement for NextGen admission?
Online course on Arizona law will be required prior to admission for all applicants.
Also first offering NextGen in July 2027
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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