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.
Joining the Bar: Start with a Plan
Admission to Practice Law in New York State
Before being admitted to the New York State Bar, candidates must pass the following exams:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: 2025-2026
MPRE Exam Dates
| MPRE Exam Date | Registration Deadline | Accommodation Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| November 13 or 14, 2025 | September 25, 2025 | July 30, 2025 |
| March 2026 – TBA | January 2o26 – TBA | December 2026 – TBA |
Registration opening TBA
NYLE Exam Dates
| NYLE Exam Date | Registration Deadline | Accommodation Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| December 18, 2025 | August 19, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
| December 18, 2025 | November 18, 2025 | September 19, 2025 |
| TBA | TBA | TBA |
NY Bar Exam (UBE) Dates
| UBE Exam Date | Registration Deadline | Accommodation Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| February 24-25, 2026 | October 1-31, 2025 | October 31, 2025 |
| July 28-29, 2026 | March 1-30, 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
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.