Washington NextGen Bar Exam: Dates, Passing Score & Requirements
- Exam today
- Administers the NextGen bar exam now
- First NextGen administration
- July 2026
- February 23–24, 2027
- NextGen passing score
- 610
- on the 500–750 scale
- Legacy UBE cut score
- 266
- until the switch (400-point scale)
- MPRE
- Required
Washington specifics: First wave; open-book online WA-law test as state component.
Washington is one of the 10 first-wave jurisdictions that adopted the NextGen bar exam for its debut on July 28–29, 2026. If you are testing in Washington, the NextGen format — three 3-hour sessions mixing multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tasks — is already your exam.
The announced passing score is 610 on the 500–750 scale — NCBE's recommended range is 610–620, so Washington sits at the accessible end of that band.
The next administration in Washington runs February 23–24, 2027.
Adoption status sourced from NCBE’s decisions-by-jurisdiction page, NCBE’s Washington 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 Washington State Bar Association — always confirm deadlines with them directly.
Washington deadlines, fees and requirements
Taken from NCBE’s Washington 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 (NextGen UBE)
- First filing deadline Oct. 5; no late filing period listed.
- July 2026 exam (for reference)
- First filing deadline March 5; late filing deadline April 5. July 2027 deadlines usually follow the same pattern; the board publishes them.
July 2026: a technical failure at the Yakima venue led to the cancellation of the July 2026 bar exam for the majority of applicants. A make-up exam was administered at University of Washington Tacoma on September 1–2, 2026; applicants who could not complete the July exam could instead transfer to the February 2027 exam in Tacoma, withdraw for a refund, or (first-time applicants) accept a waiver of the bar exam requirement. Source (checked September 20, 2026)
July 2026 and September 2026 make-up results are released to applicants on October 9, 2026. Applicants who completed the July exam and did not achieve a passing score may reapply for the February 2027 exam without an additional application fee and exam fee. MPRE scores of 85 or higher that would expire before the September 2026 or February 2027 administration can still be used for admission. Source (checked September 20, 2026)
Fees
- First-time takers
- $595
- Attorneys
- $645 (plus C&F fee)
- Repeaters
- $595 (non-attorney repeaters) / $645 (attorney repeaters)
- Laptop
- $119
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 Washington through February 2026.
- Maximum score age: 40 months.
State requirement, MPRE and the board
Jurisdiction-specific requirement for NextGen admission: Yes. Washington Law Component (WLC) is an open-book, timed, online multiple-choice test with Washington-specific study materials available online to review prior to and during the test.
MPRE: required, minimum score 85.
Washington State Bar Association. 1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600 Seattle, WA 98101-2539 Phone: (206) 727-8209 Fax: (206) 727-8313 Email: admissions@wsba.org
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.
Washington FAQs
Quick answers
When does Washington first offer the NextGen bar exam?
July 2026 — the administration runs February 23–24, 2027. Registration windows are set by the Washington State Bar Association, so confirm deadlines with them directly.
What is the NextGen bar exam passing score in Washington?
610 on the 500–750 scale.
Do I need the MPRE for admission in Washington?
Yes — Washington requires the MPRE.
When is the application deadline for the February 2027 bar exam in Washington?
Oct. 5, per NCBE's listing for Washington. The February 2027 sitting in Washington is the NextGen UBE. Confirm the exact date and cut-off time with the Washington State Bar Association before relying on it.
How much does the Washington bar exam cost?
NCBE's 2026 Comprehensive Guide lists $595 for first-time takers, $645 (plus C&F fee) for attorneys and $595 (non-attorney repeaters) / $645 (attorney repeaters) for repeaters, plus $119 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 Washington accept transferred NextGen UBE scores?
Yes, from July 2026, at a minimum transferred score of 610. Scores must be no older than 40 months.
What is the Washington-specific requirement for NextGen admission?
Washington Law Component (WLC) is an open-book, timed, online multiple-choice test with Washington-specific study materials available online to review prior to and during the test.
Also first offering NextGen in July 2026
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