When Does North Dakota 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
North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota State Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
North Dakota deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s North Dakota 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. 1; late filing deadline Nov. 1.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 15; late filing deadline May 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $200 (plus C&F fee)
- Attorneys
- $200 (plus C&F fee)
- Repeaters
- $200 (plus C&F fee)
- Laptop
- $110
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 610.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 260); the legacy UBE runs in North Dakota through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 2 years / 5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
North Dakota State Board of Law Examiners. Judicial Wing, 1st Fl. 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Bismarck, ND 58505-0530 Phone: (701) 328-4201 Fax: (701) 328-4480
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 Dakota FAQs
Quick answers
When does North Dakota first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the North Dakota State Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in North Dakota?
610 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in North Dakota?
Yes — North Dakota requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in North Dakota before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where North Dakota'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 North Dakota?
Oct. 1, with a late filing deadline of Nov. 1, per NCBE's listing for North Dakota. The February 2027 sitting in North Dakota is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the North Dakota State Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the North Dakota bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $200 (plus C&F fee) for first-time takers, $200 (plus C&F fee) for attorneys and $200 (plus C&F fee) for repeaters, plus $110 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 Dakota 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
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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