Preparing for the Bar Exam

Preparing to take the bar exam requires a lot of paperwork, and you should begin preparations several months, or possibly even a year, in advance. Below, you'll find the steps to apply and important dates to be aware of to help you get started.

1. Study and take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). A passing score for Oklahoma is 80. Oklahoma requires the MPRE be completed before admission to the bar.

2. The Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners will require proof that you have completed a Character & Fitness application when you apply for the Oklahoma Bar (see third step). This application is 36 pages long and will require character references and history of residences and legal actions.

• Oklahoma works through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) for character & fitness applications. You will be able to start the application on Oklahoma | NCBE (ncbex.org) with your login.
• NOTE: It could take months for your character & fitness application to be processed.  When you are finished with the application - print 2 copies, one for yourself, and the other for the Oklahoma Bar application.

3. If you plan to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam, you are required to register with the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners. Fees vary depending on your status as a law student, graduate, or out-of-state attorney. Below are the dates and fees for law students. If these situations do not apply to you more information can be found here. 

• Law Student Registration - Fee of $125. This registration application shall be filed on or before October 15 of the 2nd year of law school – Rules Governing Admission, Rule 4 § 2.
• Nunc Pro Tunc Registration - Fee of $500.00. This registration application is for late registration and shall be filed after October 15 of the 2nd year of law school. 
• More information and applications to the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners can be found here. 

4. Find Oklahoma Bar Exam Applications here. You'll need a 2" x 2" photograph, an official certified transcript showing your final semester grades and your JD degree (if you have not finished your degree yet, send a transcript request to your university so that the transcript will be received before you take the exam), your Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) score report, your filing fee, and a notarized Affidavit, Authorization, and Release form.

"Examinees who have qualified disabilities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be eligible for auxiliary aids or services to take the UBE. All decisions and arrangements for accommodations are made by the testing jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction has its own accommodations application process and deadlines, and examinees must apply directly to each jurisdiction in which they plan to take the UBE." (NCBE, 2023). 

Per the American Bar Association (ABA) please contact E-mail admin@okbbe.com at least (90) days prior to exam date with “Request for Special Accommodations Form” in subject line to get information on ADA accommodations for the Oklahoma Bar Exam.

More information can be found for other states' ADA accommodations, here.