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    Home » Academics » Academic Resources & Support » Bar Exam Support » Licensing Exams

Licensing Exams

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Joining the Bar: Start with a Plan

Where do you plan to seek admission? For many law graduates, becoming licensed to practice law is the ultimate goal. Some graduates pursue multiple bar admissions, while others focus on the New York State Bar. Regardless of your path, it’s important to determine where you’ll take the bar exam and understand the specific requirements of that jurisdiction.

Admission to Practice Law in New York State

Before being admitted to the New York State Bar, candidates must pass the following exams:

  1. New York State Bar Examination (UBE)New York has adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). A passing score in New York is 266. The UBE is administered twice annually:
    • February: Last Tuesday and Wednesday.
    • July: Last Tuesday and Wednesday.
  2. New York Law Exam (NYLE)The NYLE is a two-hour, open-book exam with 50 multiple-choice questions. It is administered online by the BOLE. To take the NYLE:
    • Register at least 30 days before the test on the BOLE website.
    • A passing score is 30.
    • The NYLE can be retaken multiple times, but candidates must complete the New York Law Course (NYLC) before each attempt.
  3. Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)The MPRE is a two-hour exam with 60 multiple-choice questions administered by the NCBE. A passing score in New York is 85, and it remains valid for four years.

For personalized advice, contact bar.support@law.cuny.edu to discuss your bar plan and exam schedule.

Exam Dates and Deadlines: 2024-2025

MPRE Exam Dates

MPRE Exam Date Registration Deadline Accommodation Deadline
November 7 or 8, 2024 September 18, 2024 July 24, 2024
March 26 or 27, 2025 January 23, 2025 December 4, 2024
August 20 or 21, 2025 June 18, 2025 April 30, 2025
November 13 or 14, 2025 September 25, 2025 July 30, 2025

Registration for August and November 2025 opens on December 10, 2024.

NYLE Exam Dates

NYLE Exam Date Registration Deadline Accommodation Deadline
September 19, 2024 August 20, 2024 June 21, 2024
December 19, 2024 November 19, 2024 September 20, 2024
TBA TBA TBA

NY Bar Exam (UBE) Dates

UBE Exam Date Registration Deadline Accommodation Deadline
February 25-26, 2025 October 1-31, 2024 October 31, 2024
July 29-30, 2025 March 1-31, 2025 March 31, 2025

Attorney Admissions: Character and Fitness

After passing the MPRE, NYLE, and UBE exams, you will apply for admission to the New York State Bar through the appropriate Judicial Department’s Committee on Character and Fitness. Below are the contact details for each department:

  • First Judicial Department
    Appellate Division, First Department
    41 Madison Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10010
    Telephone: (646) 386-5893
  • Second Judicial Department
    Appellate Division, Second Department
    335 Adams Street, Room 2404, Brooklyn, NY 11201
    Telephone: (718) 923-6360
  • Third Judicial Department
    Appellate Division, Third Department
    P.O. Box 7350, Capitol Station, Albany, NY 12224-0350
    Express mail: Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice, State Street, Room 511, Albany, NY 12223
    Telephone: (518) 471-4778
  • Fourth Judicial Department
    Appellate Division, Fourth Department
    M. Dolores Denman Courthouse, 50 East Avenue, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14604
    Telephone: (585) 530-3100

Keeping Your Law School Application Updated

You must inform CUNY Law of any changes to the information provided in your law school application after filing and during your enrollment.

To request your law school application, contact the Registrar’s Office. For updates, send a formal signed letter with your contact information, requested changes, specific question numbers, and explanations to bar.support@law.cuny.edu.

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