When Does Tennessee 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
- TBA
- NCBE recommends 610–620
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 270
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Tennessee still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 270 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 Tennessee 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.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Board of Law Examiners — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Tennessee deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Tennessee 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 Dec. 1; late filing deadline Dec. 20.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline May 1; late filing deadline May 20. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $725 (plus C&F fee)
- Attorneys
- $725 (plus C&F fee)
- Repeaters
- $725 (plus C&F fee)
- Laptop
- $100
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 TBA.
- Transferred legacy UBE scores: Yes (minimum 270); the legacy UBE runs in Tennessee through February 2027.
- Maximum score age: 3 years/5 years.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: TBA.
MPRE: required, minimum score 82.
Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. 511 Union St., Ste. 525 Nashville, TN 37219 Phone: (615) 741-3234 Email: BLE.Administrator@tncourts.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.
Tennessee FAQs
Quick answers
When does Tennessee first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2027 — the administration runs July 27–28, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Tennessee?
Yes — Tennessee requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Tennessee before July 2027?
The legacy UBE, where Tennessee'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 Tennessee?
Dec. 1, with a late filing deadline of Dec. 20, per NCBE's listing for Tennessee. The February 2027 sitting in Tennessee is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners before relying on it.
How much does the Tennessee bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $725 (plus C&F fee) for first-time takers, $725 (plus C&F fee) for attorneys and $725 (plus C&F fee) for repeaters, plus $100 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 Tennessee 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.
Also first offering NextGen in July 2027
- Arizona
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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