Ultimate Guide to Idaho State Bar Exam
Your complete guide to Idaho bar exam prep.
Pass Rates · Bar Review Courses · Format · Essay Topics · Schedule · Dates · Location · Application Fees & Deadlines · What to Bring · Scores & Grading · Results · Reciprocity · Law Schools · Groups · Other Resources
*Updated January 2024
Idaho State Bar Exam | Basic Information
The Idaho State Bar was formed in 1923. It is a mandatory association for those practicing law in Idaho.
Idaho is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). Idaho first administered the UBE in February 2012.
July 2023 (137 takers)
February 2023 (76 takers)
February 2022 (unknown takers)
July 2021 (unknown takers)
| Crushendo | Barbri | Themis | Kaplan | AmeriBar | BarMax | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Cost | $970 | $1,999-4,199 | $2,695 | $2,199-3,999 | $1,299-2,599 | $1,895 |
| Facebook Rating | 5.0 | Disabled | 4.8 | Disabled | Disabled | 4.3 |
| Google Rating | 5.0 | N/A | 2.8 | 3.2 | N/A | N/A |
| MBE |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| MEE |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| MPT |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| NCBE Questions | 1,750+ | 100+ | 1,350+ | 1,200+ | 1,400+ | 1,700+ |
| Audio Flashcards |  | |||||
| 250+ Mnemonics |  | |||||
| Access Period | Lifetime | 8-10 weeks | 4 months | 4 months | Up to 3 years | Lifetime |
| Financing |  |  | 3 payments | $250 registration |  |  |
| Founded | 2017 | 1974 | 2008 | 1938 | 1999 | 2010 |
| Phone | (385) 482-1776 | (888) 322-7274 | (888) 843-6476 | (626) 390-7170 | (877) 942-2763 | (800) 529-2651 |
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Last updated: 1/7/23
*Cost ignores promotions and live tutoring.
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Crushendo’s written and audio outlines utilize 250+ proprietary mnemonics to help you memorize everything you need to know to pass the bar exam on your first try.
Crushendo’s complete bar prep course, the UBE Suite, costs $970 and includes 1,750+ official practice questions from the NCBE.
Crushendo offers lifetime access for all of its bar exam prep products.
Adam Balinski founded Crushendo Bar Review in 2017 (read the founding story here).
The Harcourt publishing company founded Barbri in 1974 when it acquired two bar review programs. Since its founding, Barbri has been owned by large firms including Thomson Reuters and Leeds Equity Partners.
Barbri products have been used by more than a million law school students. In the last 20 years Barbri has settled multiple antitrust lawsuits.
Barbri’s traditional bar prep programs cost $1,999-4,199 and some include 100+ official NCBE questions from past bar exams.
Barbri offers access to its traditional, full-time bar prep course for 8-10 weeks, but early access can be purchased.
Themis Bar Review is based in Chicago and was founded in 2008.
Themis’s bar prep program costs $2,695 and includes 1,350+ NCBE questions.
Themis offers access to its online products for four months.
Stanley Kaplan founded Kaplan, Inc. in 1938.
Kaplan jumped into the bar review space in 2006 when it acquired PMBR, a company that provides test prep for the MBE. In 2008 Kaplan expanded its bar review offerings.
Kaplan’s bar prep programs cost $2,199-3,999 and include 1,200+ NCBE questions.
Kaplan offers access to its online products for four months.
Alexander Nakis founded AmeriBar in 1999. It’s headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.
AmeriBar’s bar exam prep programs cost $1,299-2,599 and include 1,400+ NCBE questions.
AmeriBar offers access to its online products for up to three years.
Michael Ghaffary and Mehran Ebadolahi founded BarMax in 2010.
BarMax’s bar prep course costs $1,895 and includes 1,700+ NCBE questions.
BarMax offers lifetime access to its online products.
What’s the format of the UBE?
The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is administered twice each year in Idaho (in February and July). The examination is administered over two days in four, three-hour sessions. The UBE has three parts: the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
MBE
The MBE is a six-hour test and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that test your understanding across seven subjects. Your MBE score comprises 50% of your overall UBE score.
Crushendo offers affordable, comprehensive written and audio outlines for MBE subjects (in addition to MEE and MPRE subjects).
Watch Crushendo’s free MBE tips video.
MEE
The MEE consists of six 30-minute legal essays. The MEE makes up 30% of your score.
Essay topics may include the following: Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Property, Secured Transactions, Torts, Trusts, Unincorporated Business Entities, Wills and Estates, etc.
Crushendo offers the most recent MEE questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MEE tips video.
MPT
The MPT consists of two 90-minute tasks where you analyze and apply laws to specific scenarios. The MPT makes up 20% of your score. Crushendo offers the most recent MPT questions and includes the point sheets that the graders used. Watch Crushendo’s free MPT tips video.
What’s the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination?
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) tests your understanding of established standards of conduct for lawyers. The MPRE is administered three times each year (in March, August, and November). The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and is two hours long. Check out this MPRE Tips video!
Upcoming Bar Exam Schedule, Dates, Location
Are you interested in taking the Idaho State bar exam? Here’s some basic information on applying to take the Idaho bar exam.
The Idaho Bar application fee for most takers is $600. There is a $200 late fee. The fee for attorneys is $800. There is a $125 laptop fee.
*Visit the Idaho State Bar Admission Office’s website for more information.
If you desire to take the bar exam in February, the timely deadline is October 1. You can submit the application between October 1 and November 15 if you pay the $200 late fee. If you want to take the July bar exam, the timely deadline is March 1. You can submit the application between March 1 and April 15 if you pay the $200 late fee.
In addition to passing the Idaho bar exam with a score of at least 272, there are several requirements that must be met in order to be admitted as an attorney in Idaho, including:
- Score 85 or higher on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) within the accepted time frame.
- Certificate from Committee of Character and Fitness
- Graduate from an ABA approved law school
Idaho State Bar Admissions Office
Physical address:
The Law Center
525 W. Jefferson St.
Boise, ID 83702
Phone number: (208) 334-4500
What to bring
- Your current driver’s license.
- Your Bar Examination Identification & Certification Card that has your photo, NCBE number, and examinee number.
Important notes
- You need to have these items with you for each of the four testing sessions.
- Laptop testers should not bring their laptop in a case or bag.
Prohibited items
- Any item that can connect to the internet
- Any item that can record audio or video
- Backpacks
- Books
- Briefcases
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Notes
- Phones
- Food or drink
- Purses
- Radios
- Rulers
- Scratch papers
- Study materials
View lists of those who passed the Idaho State bar exam, posted on the Idaho Court’s website:
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my Idaho bar exam results released?
Idaho bar exam results are usually posted six to nine weeks after the exam date. February bar exam results are normally posted in April. July bar exam results are normally posted in September.
Can I see my Idaho bar exam score?
If you passed the Idaho bar exam, you won’t be able to see your score. If you failed the exam, you can send a letter to the Idaho Bar Admissions Office, along with a $25 check, and your exam will be mailed to you.
Can I appeal to have my Idaho bar exam re-graded?
No.
How many times can I take the bar exam in Idaho?
You can retake the UBE six times in Idaho.
Applicants seeking admission to the Idaho State Bar, without taking the bar exam, must comply with Reciprocity Requirements.
The following states have reciprocity with Idaho: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In order to be eligible for admittance to the Idaho State Bar, without taking the bar examination, you must:
- Have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school
- Actively practice law for at least three of the last five years
Here’s a list of law schools in Idaho.
University of Idaho College of Law
- Founded: 1909
- Located: Moscow, ID and Boise, ID
- Enrollment: about 300
- Tuition Cost: $41,496 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 74%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: uidaho.edu/law
Concordia University School of Law
- Founded: 2007
- Located: Boise, ID
- Enrollment: about 190
- Tuition Cost: $30,343 View tuition breakdown
- Bar Passage Rate: 68%
- ABA Accredited: Yes
- Website: law.cu-portland.edu
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after, passing the bar exam:
University of Idaho College of Law
- Current Students – University of Idaho College of Law (158 members)
- University of Idaho College of Law – Past, Present, and Future (57 members)
- Unofficial (Official) University of Idaho College of Law – Boise (77 members)
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2023 (10 members)
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2022 (154 members)
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2021 (14o members)
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2020
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2019
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2018
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2017 (107 members)
- University of Idaho College of Law Class of 2016 (112 members)
Concordia University School of Law
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the Idaho State Bar Exam: