When Does Iowa 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
- 610
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 260
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Iowa specifics: Cut lowered from 266 effective Jul 2026.
Iowa still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 260 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 Iowa 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.
Iowa has already announced its NextGen passing score: 610 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Iowa 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 Iowa Board of Law Examiners Office of Professional Regulation — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Iowa deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Iowa 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; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline April 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
These are final deadlines and cannot be waived.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $800
- Attorneys
- $800
- Repeaters
- $800
- Laptop
- $122
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.
Most first-time bar exam takers must pay an $800 bar application fee. The fee for first-time bar exam takers in Iowa who have not previously been admitted to practice in any jurisdiction is $550 if they have a law student registration on file with the Office of Professional Regulation on or before January 15, 2021.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: Yes from July 2026, minimum 610.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 260); the legacy UBE runs in Iowa through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 2 years/5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Iowa Board of Law Examiners Office of Professional Regulation. Iowa Judicial Branch Building 1111 East Court Ave. Des Moines, IA 50319 Phone: (515) 348-4670 Fax: (515) 348-4698
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.
Iowa FAQs
Quick answers
When does Iowa first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Iowa Board of Law Examiners Office of Professional Regulation, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Iowa?
610 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Iowa?
Yes — Iowa requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Iowa before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where Iowa's cut score is 260 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 Iowa?
Nov. 1, per NCBE's listing for Iowa. The February 2027 sitting in Iowa is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Iowa Board of Law Examiners Office of Professional Regulation before relying on it.
How much does the Iowa bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $800 for first-time takers, $800 for attorneys and $800 for repeaters, plus $122 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 Iowa accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 610. Scores must be no older than 2 years/5 years.
Also first offering NextGen in July 2027
- Arizona
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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