July 2026 Montana Bar Examination - Admission Deadlines, Schedule and Information

Sep 20, 2026

Memo from the State of Montana Board of Bar Examiners to applicants for the July 2026 Montana Bar Examination, detailing admission deadlines, exam schedule, and required steps. It covers optional laptop/ExamSoft participation and transcript submission timelines, fee payment deadlines for the Uniform Bar Exam and Montana Law Seminar, and the UBE location on the UM campus in Missoula. It also explains Character & Fitness certification timing, MPRE certification rules, JD transcript requirements, and consequences of incomplete or late materials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

July 2026 Exam Deadlines

Laptop Users and ExamSoft Option

Transcript Deadline

Fee Payment Deadlines (UBE and MLS)

Exam Schedule

Monday July 27: Laptops Only

Tuesday July 28: MEE & MPT

Wednesday July 29: MBE

Thursday July 30: Montana Law Seminar

Exam Admission Information & Requirements

Certification for Admission (Character & Fitness)

MPRE Requirements

Law School Transcripts or Degree Certification

UBE & MLS Fees

STATE OF MONTANA BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS 33 SOUTH LAST CHANCE GULCH, SUITE 1B • P.O. BOX 577 • HELENA, MONTANA 59624 (406) 442-7660 Fax (406) 442-7763 Web Site: [www.montanabar.org](www.montanabar.org) TO: FROM: RE: Applicants for the July 2026 Montana Bar Examination Kathie Lynch, Bar Admissions Administrator Admission Deadlines, Schedule and Information IMPORTANT: Read this entire memo and the attachments completely, then calendar the deadlines! This memo is intended to answer general bar exam questions such as schedules, fees, and deadline information, but all applicants should become familiar with the Montana Rules of Admission, Rules of the Board of Bar Examiners and of the Character & Fitness Commission. JULY 2026 EXAM DEADLINES June 28th-July 21st Laptop Users: ExamSoft will send you a link if you want to use your laptop for the essay portions ofthe examination. You will pay $125 to ExamSoft (not the State Bar) to register and download exam specific software to your computer. This is voluntary and you may choose to handwrite your essays. June 24th The Doubletree Edgewater has offered a limited number of rooms at a group rate available th until June 30 -a link prior to the exam for reservations utilizing our group discount. June 30th Transcripts: Deadline for receipt of transcripts (It is your responsibility to have them sent, so be sure to request them early from your law school.) July 1st Deadline to pay fees for the Uniform Bar Exam and the Montana Law Seminar - To complete registration payments for the UBE and MLS [visit montanabar.org/Store](visit montanabar.org/Store NOTE:)[ NOTE:](visit montanabar.org/Store NOTE:)[ ](visit montanabar.org/Store NOTE:)[Applicants for re-examination must pay the UBE fee each time the exam is taken](Applicants for re-examination must pay the UBE fee each time the exam is taken), but do not need to pay for or attend the Montana Law Seminar a second time. SCHEDULE: The UBE will be held in the University Center on the UM campus in Missoula, MT. | MONDAY
July 27th Laptops Only | TUESDAY
July 28th
MEE & MPT | WEDNESDAY
July 29th MBE | THURSDAY
July 30st
MT LAW SEMINAR | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 4:00 pm
Laptop Users
Brief meeting to verify exam software and internet access | 8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Instructions
9:00 a.m. MEE Begins
12:00 p.m. Lunch Break 1:00 p.m. Registration
1:15 p.m. Instructions
1:30 p.m. MPT Begins 4:30 p.m. Adjourn | 8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Instructions
9:00 a.m. MBE – Session 1
12:00 p.m. Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. Registration
1:15 p.m. Instructions
1:30 p.m. MBE – Session 2
4:30 p.m. Adjourn | The link to the Montana Law Seminar will be sent to you and you will have until Wednesday, August 5th to complete viewing. | EXAM ADMISSION INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION FOR ADMISSION The Montana Rules of Admission require that you are certified by Montana’s Character & Fitness Commission before you can sit for the bar exam or be admitted to the Montana Bar. The NCBE performsa background investigation on behalf of the Commission but does not determine certification for admission to the Montana Bar. The Commission will not certify you for admission until receipt ofthe NCBE investigative summary, which takes at least 100 days from the submission of your application. Therefore, it is critical you respond to requests for information from both the Bar Admissions Administrator and the NCBE as quickly as possible as failure to do so will delay your certification. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and complete applications do not assume certification. "Certification" as used in the Rules ofthe Character & Fitness Commission refers to permission to sit for the Montana bar examination and be admitted to the practice of law in Montana. Your certification to sit for the exam will be determined by the Commission on Character and Fitness after a

FAQs

What are the key July 2026 admission deadlines applicants must calendar?

The memo lists deadlines for laptop/ExamSoft registration (June 28–July 21), transcript receipt (June 30), and fee payment for the Uniform Bar Exam and Montana Law Seminar by the stated deadline. It also notes that reservations at a group rate are available until June 30.

Is using a laptop required for the essay portions of the exam?

No. Laptop use for the essay portions is voluntary. ExamSoft sends a link if you want to use a laptop, and you pay a $125 fee to ExamSoft to register and download the exam software.

How does Character & Fitness certification affect eligibility to sit for the bar exam?

Applicants must be certified by Montana’s Character & Fitness Commission before sitting for the bar exam or being admitted. The Commission will not certify until receipt of the NCBE investigative summary, which takes at least 100 days; late or incomplete responses can delay certification.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Ben Jamin