When Does Colorado Switch to the NextGen Bar Exam?
- Exam today
- Administers the legacy UBE today
- First NextGen administration
- July 2028
- July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet)
- NextGen passing score
- TBA
- NCBE recommends 610–620
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Colorado still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 270 on the 400-point scale. Its first NextGen administration is July 2028 — July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet).
That date decides which exam you study for. Candidates sitting in Colorado before July 2028 take the current exam; from July 2028 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.
Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Admissions — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Colorado deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Colorado 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 Nov. 1; late filing deadline Dec. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline April 1; late filing deadline May 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $710
- Attorneys
- $710
- Repeaters
- $410 / $510
- Laptop
- $0
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.
A $200 late fee applies to applications received by the late filing deadlines (Dec. 1 for February exam; May 1 for July exam). Lower reapplication fees may apply if certain conditions are met.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Colorado through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 3 years/5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Admissions. Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center 1300 Broadway, St. 520 Denver, CO 80203 Phone: (303) 928-7770 Fax: (303) 501-1147
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.
Colorado FAQs
Quick answers
When does Colorado first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2028 — the administration runs July 25–26, 2028 (expected; NCBE has not published this date yet). Registration windows are set by the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Admissions, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Colorado?
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 Colorado publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Colorado before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Colorado'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 Colorado?
Nov. 1, with a late filing deadline of Dec. 1, per NCBE's listing for Colorado. The February 2027 sitting in Colorado is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Admissions before relying on it.
How much does the Colorado bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $710 for first-time takers, $710 for attorneys and $410 / $510 for repeaters, plus $0 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 Colorado accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of TBA. Scores must be no older than 3 years/5 years.
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