BARBRI’s District of Columbia Fast Facts - DC Bar Exam, MPRE, Fees & Admission

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Aran

Concise guidance for candidates preparing for the District of Columbia Bar Exam using the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Covers exam format and timing (2-day Tuesday/Wednesday in February and July), scoring requirements to pass (266), MPRE minimum score (75), and what expenses to budget including application fees, processing fees, possible laptop and hotel costs, plus exam location and remote administration context. Also outlines MPRE timing, DC accommodations resources, attempt limits, options for transferring UBE scores or admission by motion, and selection considerations among DC, MD, and VA.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

What is the format of the DC Bar Exam?

What score do I need on the bar to pass in DC?

How much will it cost to sit for the DC Bar Exam?

Where do I take the DC Bar Exam?

What score do I need to get on the MPRE?

When do I need to take the MPRE if I want to sit for DC?

Accommodations and guidance on the DC BOLE site

Limits and admission options (UBE transfer, motion, waivers)

Choosing among DC, MD, or VA

BARBRI’s District of Columbia Fast Facts! What is the format of the DC Bar Exam? DC administers the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), and it is administered twice each year. This is a 2 day exam (Tuesday and Wednesday) the last week in February and July. The winter dates are February 23 rd & 24th; the summer dates are July 27th & 28th. Your first day is worth 50% and is your essay day (30% MEE, 20% MPT) . Your second day is multiple choice and is worth 50% . What score do I need on the bar to pass in DC? You need a minimum score of 266. How much will it cost me to sit for the DC Bar Exam? The cost to sit for the DC bar exam is $110 (application fee), a $10 credit processing fee, and a Character and Fitness application fee (determined by the NCBE) . Be sure to also budget for a laptop fee (determined by a third party 2-4 weeks before exam) . Also, don’t forget that you may need to budget for a hotel for 2-3 nights (Monday-Tuesday or Monday-Wednesday) if you are not living close to your designated test center. Where do I take the DC Bar Exam? Assuming that the DC BOLE determines that it is safe to administer exams in person in 2021, applicants should plan on sitting for the exam at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Note that for the most recent exam (summer/fall 2020), the exam was administered remotely. What score do I need to get on the MPRE? You must score at least 75. When do I need to take the MPRE if I want to sit for DC? You can take the MPRE before or after you apply for the exam. However, if you do not have a passing score by the time your bar results come out, you will not be able to become a licensed attorney until you do. Is there guidance on DC’s BOLE site to help me through this? Yes! Here it is: [https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/committee-on-admissions](https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/committee-on-admissions)[ ](https://www.dccourts.gov/court-of-appeals/committee-on-admissions)[I will need accommodations for the bar exam. What guidelines should I follow?](I will need accommodations for the bar exam. What guidelines should I follow?) [Please go here](Please go here) (for the remote February 2021 exam; July 2021 not yet updated): [https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/fi](https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/fi)les/divisionspdfs/committee%20on%20admissions%20pdf/GeneralInformationRegardingAccommodations.pdf Is there a limit on the number of times I can take the DC bar to become licensed? YES – you max out at 4 attempts on ANY component of the exam (Rule46(c)(14)) . I am not taking the DC bar, but I am sitting for another UBE state. Do I need to sit for DC to become licensed in DC if I sit for the UBE in another jurisdiction? Transferred UBE scores will be eligible for admission in DC if taken within 5 years (as long as your UBE admission was less than 5 attempts) . An applicant must achieve a score of 266 or higher regardless of UBE jurisdiction in order to qualify for Admission by UBE and will be required to prove that they have achieved a qualifying score on the MPRE. Other options to waive into DC are Admission on Motion (being a member of another bar in good standing for 5 years), or Motion by MBE Score Transfer (133 or higher scaled) . The current fees (which can increase) are: $400 (DC Application fee) + $18 (credit card processing fee) +$450-$875 (NCBE Character & Fitness fee) . Please note that the motion/waive in application process can take 10-12 months from submission date. I am planning on practicing in the DC area, but I’m not sure whether I should take DC, MD, or VA – what should I do? If you have post-graduate plans, be sure to check with your employer to see if they have a preference. Only you can decide which state is “best,” but factors to consider are: cost (application fee, CLEs if applicable, yearly license fee), needs of how quickly you need to be licensed in that jurisdiction, flexibility (MD and DC are both UBE; VA is not

FAQs

How is the DC Bar Exam administered and when does it occur?

The DC Bar Exam uses the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and is administered twice each year. It is a 2-day exam (Tuesday and Wednesday) in the last week of February and July.

What scores are required to pass the DC Bar Exam and MPRE?

To pass in DC, you need a minimum score of 266. For the MPRE, you must score at least 75.

What are the main admission/qualification options if I took the UBE in another jurisdiction?

Transferred UBE scores can be eligible for admission in DC if taken within 5 years and with fewer than 5 attempts. You still must achieve a score of 266 or higher regardless of UBE jurisdiction, and you must also prove a qualifying MPRE score.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Aran