Ultimate Guide to North Carolina State Bar Exam
Your complete guide to North Carolina bar exam prep.
Pass Rates · Bar Review Courses · Format · Essay Topics · Schedule · Dates · Locations · Application Fees & Deadlines · What to Bring · Scores & Grading · Results · Reciprocity · Law Schools · Groups · Other Resources · Other Jurisdictions
*Updated February 2024
North Carolina State Bar Exam | Basic Information
The North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) was formed in 1899. The NCBA is a voluntary organization and has more than 20,000 members. There are about 28,000 licensed lawyers in North Carolina.
North Carolina is one of 40+ jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) for their state bar review. North Carolina first administered the UBE in February 2019.
July 2023 (785 takers)
February 2023 (416 takers)
February 2022
July 2021 (817 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 North Carolina (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, Locations
Raleigh
Jane S. McKimmon Center at North Carolina State University
1101 Gorman St
Raleigh, NC 27606
or
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
Are you interested in taking the North Carolina bar exam? Here’s some basic information about applying to take the North Carolina bar exam.
The application fee for non-licensed applicants is $850. The application fee for licensed attorneys is $1,650.
An additional fee of $250 is due if your application is late.
For those who wish to use a laptop to write their bar exam essays there is an additional fee of $125. It costs $1,275-$1,575 to transfer your UBE score from another jurisdiction.
The application fee for those seeking admission by comity/admission on motion is $2,000.
Total cost for most first-time takers: $850-$2,025
*See NCBLE.org for a breakdown of the fees and deadlines.
If you are taking the bar exam for the first time, and wish to take the February 2019 bar exam, you should submit your application between August 1, 2019 – October 1, 2019. The application late period is October 2, 2019 – November 5, 2019.
If you wish to take the July 2019 bar exam, you should submit your application between November 6, 2019 – January 7, 2020. The application late period is January 8, 2020 – March 3, 2020.
*Refer to NCBLE.org for deadlines for licensed attorneys and other applicants.
*There’s no limit on how many times you can take the North Carolina bar exam.
In addition to passing the North Carolina bar exam with a score of at least 270, there are several requirements you must meet in order to be admitted to practice law in North Carolina, including:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a law degree from an approved law school.
- Score 80 or higher on the MPRE within the accepted time frame.
- Have four people complete the Certificate of Moral Character Form and mail it to the North Carolina Board of Law Examiner’s office.
- Submit documents to the Board as the listed in Rule .0402 (birth certificate copy, passport-sized photo, North Carolina fingerprint cards, official college and law school transcripts, etc.).
- Complete a board-approved course in North Carolina law.
North Carolina State Board of Law Examiners
Physical address:
North Carolina Board of Law Examiners
5510 Six Forks Rd., Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone number: (919) 848-4229
Mailing address:
North Carolina Board of Law Examiners
5510 Six Forks Rd., Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27609
Email address: info@ncble.org
What to bring
- Your admission ticket
- Your signed Examination Regulations and Code of Conduct
- Your photo identification card.
Important notes
- The following items will be provided at the testing center: pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, scratch paper, ear plugs, and an applicant ID card.
- There will be clocks in each exam room.
- If using a MacBook to complete the essay portion of the exam, the Board will provide you a USB to USB-C adapter and a USB flashdrive.
Permitted items
- 1 clear plastic zip-top bag (no larger than 1-quart) may include the following items: Driver’s License, Photo Identification Card, Social Security Card, health insurance card, hotel key, car keys, money, credit cards, sunglasses, reading glasses, lip balm, eye drops, feminine hygiene products.
- A lightweight, pocket-free outer garment.
Prohibited items
- Electronic devices
- Wallets
- Cases for eyeglasses
- Watches, timers
- Cell phones
- Food, drinks
- Bar review materials
- External keyboards, keyboard covers
- Computer mouses, adapters
- Fitbits, activity trackers
- Written/printed materials
- Weapons
- CDs, DVDs
- Bags, purses, backpacks, briefcases, laptop bags
- Scarves, hats (unless you receive prior written approval)
*More information on what you can and cannot bring to the testing center.
View the February 2022 North Carolina Bar Exam pass list.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are my North Carolina bar exam results released?
Bar exam results are usually mailed out about a month after the exam date.
Can I see my North Carolina bar exam score?
You will be able to see your score if you failed the bar exam.
Can I appeal to have my North Carolina bar exam re-graded?
No.
How many times can I take the bar exam in North Carolina?
There’s no limit to how many times you can take the bar exam in North Carolina.
Applicants seeking admission to the bar in North Carolina without taking the bar exam, must comply with Rule .0502 – Requirements for Comity Applicants.
Reciprocity/Comity Requirements Overview
In order to be eligible for admission by motion/comity in North Carolina, you must:
- Have practiced law for four of the six years prior to your application.
- Have four people complete the Certificate of Moral Character Form and mail it to the Board.
- Submit multiple documents to the Board (a recent photo, two sets of clear fingerprints, official college and law school transcripts, a certificate of good standing, a certificate of admission to the bar in other state, a copy of all applications for admission to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction, a court certificate, etc.).
- Pay a fee of $2,000 to the Board.
- Have practiced law in an approved, reciprocal jurisdiction.
- Be of good moral character in accordance with standards set forth in Rule .0600.
- Have a law degree from a law school approved by the Council of The North Carolina State Bar. (see Rule .0702)
- Not have failed the North Carolina bar examination in the five years prior to submitting your application.
- Have passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination.
Reciprocal Jurisdictions: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
*For more information, refer to Rule .0502.
Here’s a list of ABA Accredited law schools in North Carolina.
Campbell Law School
- Founded: 1976
- Located: Raleigh, NC
- Enrollment: About 450 students
- Tuition Cost: ~$42,600
- Bar Passage Rate: 82.4% (first-time takers)
- Website: law.campbell.edu
Duke University School of Law
- Founded: 1868
- Located: Durham, NC
- Enrollment: About 715 students
- Tuition Cost: ~$66,000
- Bar Passage Rate: 97.44% (2017)
- Website: law.duke.edu
Elon University School of Law
- Founded: 2006
- Located: Greensboro, NC
- Enrollment: About 130 students (2014)
- Tuition Cost: ~$38,000
- Bar Passage Rate: 70% (February 2019 first-time takers)
- Website: elon.edu/e/law
North Carolina Central University School of Law
- Founded: 1939
- Located: Durham, NC
- Enrollment: About 300 students
- Tuition Cost: ~$36,000
- Bar Passage Rate: 75.5% (July 2018)
- Website: law.nccu.edu
University of North Carolina School of Law
- Founded: 1845
- Located: Chapel Hill, NC
- Enrollment: About 760 students (2010)
- Tuition Cost: ~$41,600
- Bar Passage Rate: 86.8% (July 2018 first-time takers)
- Website: law.unc.edu
Wake Forest University School of Law
- Founded: 1894
- Located: Winston-Salem, NC
- Enrollment: About 525 students
- Tuition Cost: ~$46,270
- Bar Passage Rate: 81% (2016)
- Website: law.wfu.edu
Here are some Facebook groups you may find helpful before, and after passing the bar exam:
- GIRL ATTORNEY® – NC (2,365 members)
- Lawyer Moms of America- North Carolina (282 members)
- NC Attorneys with Immigrant Clients (244 members)
Campbell Law School
- Campbell Law Class of 2022 (315 members)
- Campbell Law Class of 2021 (309 members)
- Campbell Law Class of 2020 (295 members)
- Campbell Law Class of 2019 (260 members)
- Campbell Law BLSA (Black Law Student Association) (86 members)
- Campbell Law PLSA (Professional Law Student Association) (61 members)
- International Law Society at Campbell University School of Law (55 members)
- Campbell Law Health Law Association (28 members)
Duke University School of Law
- Duke Law Students (1,638 members)
- Duke Law Class of 2021 (430 members)
- Duke Law Class of 2022 (370 members)
- Duke Law – Class of 2019 (331 members)
- Duke Law APALSA (246 members)
- Duke Law Club of Northern California (241 members)
- Duke Law Public Interest Community (209 members)
- Duke Law – Class of 2020 (206 members)
- Duke Law LLM 2019-2020 (168 members)
- Duke Law Feminist Collective (155 members)
- Duke Law Recruiting – Class of 2020 (142 members)
- Duke Law Alumni (136 members)
- Duke Law Sports and Entertainment Law Society (86 members)
- Duke Law Public Interest Alumni (65 members)
Elon University School of Law
- Elon Law Alumni (748 members)
- Elon Law Class of 2020 (167 members)
- Elon Law Class of 2021 (158 members)
- Elon Law Class of 2019 (126 members)
- Elon Law Bar Review (105 members)
- Elon Law Review (48 members)
North Carolina Central University School of Law
- NCCU School of Law Alumni (1,678 members)
- NCCU School of Law Class of 2018 (271 members)
- NCCU School of Law: Admitted ’19 (198 members)
- NCCU Law Class of 2019 (100 members)
- NCCU Intellectual Property Law Society (50 members)
University of North Carolina School of Law
- UNC Law Class of 2021 (277 members)
- UNC School of Law Class of 2020 Admitted Students (236 members)
- UNC law admitted students (166 members)
- UNC – Sports and Entertainment Law Association (96 members)
- UNC Black Law Students Association (94 members)
Wake Forest University School of Law
More helpful resources and study materials to help you pass the North Carolina State Bar Exam: