When Does North Carolina 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
- 620
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
North Carolina specifics: NextGen state component: Decedents' Estates & Trusts exam, 4×/yr.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.
North Carolina has already announced its NextGen passing score: 620 on the 500–750 scale.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s North Carolina 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 Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
North Carolina deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s North Carolina 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. 6; late filing deadline Nov. 3.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Jan. 6; late filing deadline March 3. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $850
- Attorneys
- $1,650
- Repeaters
- $400
- 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 North Carolina through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 3 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: Yes. Applicants for admission to practice law by examination and transferred score will be required to successfully complete the North Carolina Component Exam on Decedents’ Estates and Trusts. This exam component will be offered four times per year: In February and July in conjunction with the bar examinations, and in May and November as a standalone exam.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina. 5510 Six Forks Rd., Ste. 300 Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone: (919) 848-4229 Fax: (919) 848-4277
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.
North Carolina FAQs
Quick answers
When does North Carolina 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 Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in North Carolina?
620 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in North Carolina?
Yes — North Carolina requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in North Carolina before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where North Carolina'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 North Carolina?
Oct. 6, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 3, per NCBE's listing for North Carolina. The February 2027 sitting in North Carolina is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina before relying on it.
How much does the North Carolina bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $850 for first-time takers, $1,650 for attorneys and $400 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 North Carolina accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 620. Scores must be no older than 3 years.
What is the North Carolina-specific requirement for NextGen admission?
Applicants for admission to practice law by examination and transferred score will be required to successfully complete the North Carolina Component Exam on Decedents’ Estates and Trusts. This exam component will be offered four times per year: In February and July in conjunction with the bar examinations, and in May and November as a standalone exam.
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