When Does Rhode Island 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
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Supreme Court Clerk's Office — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Rhode Island deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Rhode Island 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 Sept. 1 / Dec. 1; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline Feb. 1/ May 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Applicants seeking admission under Article II, Rule 2(a (attorney admission on examination) must submit their applications by September 1 for the February examination, and by February 1 for the July examination. Applicants seeking admission under Article II, Rule 1 (admission on examination) must submit their applications by December 1 for the February examination, and by May 1 for the July examination
Fees
- First-time takers
- $975
- Attorneys
- $1,475
- Repeaters
- $975
- 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 fee of $975 is required for all retakes, and attorney admission applicants (Rule 2(a)) must also pay for a supplemental NCBE character investigation report. Applicants can defer to the next bar examination upon payment of a $300 deferral fee. MBE scores will be transferred upon payment of $25.
Score portability
- Transferred NextGen UBE scores: TBA from TBA, minimum TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Rhode Island through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 2 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 80.
Rhode Island Supreme Court Clerk's Office. Licht Judicial Complex 250 Benefit St., 7th Fl. Providence, RI 2903 Phone: (401) 222-3272 Fax: (401) 222-3599 Email: ribarexam@courts.ri.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.
Rhode Island FAQs
Quick answers
When does Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Supreme Court Clerk's Office, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Rhode Island?
Yes — Rhode Island requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Rhode Island before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island?
Sept. 1 / Dec. 1, per NCBE's listing for Rhode Island. The February 2027 sitting in Rhode Island is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Rhode Island Supreme Court Clerk's Office before relying on it.
How much does the Rhode Island bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $975 for first-time takers, $1,475 for attorneys and $975 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 Rhode Island accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Not announced yet. Check NCBE's decisions page or the board for updates.
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