When Does Utah 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
- 260
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Utah specifics: Accepts 610+ NextGen transfers from Jul 2026.
Utah still administers the legacy Uniform Bar Exam with a cut score of 260 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 Utah 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.
Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah State Bar — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Utah deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Utah 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; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 1. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
Fees
- First-time takers
- $550
- Attorneys
- $850
- Repeaters
- $550 (non-attorney repeaters) / $850 (attorney repeaters)
- Laptop
- $200
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 Utah through February 2028.
- Maximum score age: 36 months.
Utah has announced that it will accept a transferred NextGen UBE score of 610 starting with the July 2026 administration. It has not yet set its own passing score.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: No.
MPRE: required, minimum score 86.
Utah State Bar. Utah Law & Justice Center 645 South 200 East Salt Lake City, UT 84111-3834 Phone: (801) 531-9077 Fax: (801) 531-0660
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.
Utah FAQs
Quick answers
When does Utah 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 Utah State Bar, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Utah?
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 Utah publishes its score.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Utah?
Yes — Utah requires the MPRE.
What do I take if I sit the bar in Utah before July 2028?
The legacy UBE, where Utah'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 Utah?
Oct. 1, per NCBE's listing for Utah. The February 2027 sitting in Utah is the legacy UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Utah State Bar before relying on it.
How much does the Utah bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $550 for first-time takers, $850 for attorneys and $550 (non-attorney repeaters) / $850 (attorney repeaters) for repeaters, plus $200 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 Utah accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 610. Scores must be no older than 36 months. Utah has announced that it will accept a transferred NextGen UBE score of 610 starting with the July 2026 administration. It has not yet set its own passing score.
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