Attorney Admissions: Where to Start?

With the Rules! The rules governing admission to the practice of law are state-specific. Start by learning about the rules governing licensure in your state.

In Arizona, the Arizona Supreme Court has jurisdiction over any person or entity engaged in the practice of law. It exercises this authority through an organization known as the State Bar and through a set of rules that lay out the mechanisms by which one can be admitted to that practice. For more detail on the manner in which the Supreme Court regulates the practice of law consult Section V. of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona.

The typical route for a law student to become a lawyer in Arizona is by taking a uniform bar exam, although there are other routes: such as score transfer and admission on motion. These various paths are detailed in the Rules.

Alphabet Soup

For most students, taking the bar exam is the major hurdle of interest. Another hurdle is getting your head around all the bar-associated acronyms! Arizona utilizes the UBE (Uniform Bar Exam), coordinated by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) as its gatekeeping mechanism. The UBE is composed of three parts administered together over two days: the MEE (Multistate Essay Exam), the MPT (Multistate Performance Test), and the multiple-choice MBE (Multistate Bar Exam). In addition, the MPRE (Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam) is administered separately by NCBE, but also part of the UBE array of exams.

Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)Multistate Performance Test (MPT)Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)

Six 30-minute essays (3 hours total)

Subjects: the 7 MBE topics plus Business Associations, Conflict of Laws, Family Law, UCC Art. 9 (Secured Transactions). and Trusts & Estates

Two 90-minute items (3 hours total)

Content: a simulated case file presented in a realistic setting and calling for the test candidate to demonstrate fundamental lawyering skills regardless of the area of law in which the task arises

 

200-question, multiple-choice exam (6 hours total)

Subjects: Contracts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, and Civil Procedure

The UBE is uniformly administered, graded, and scored, but each jurisdiction sets its own passing score. In Arizona a 270 scaled score is needed to pass the exam, but other jurisdictions set their own standards. Passing scores on the UBE range from 260 to 270, depending on jurisdiction. See this page for information on the minimum scores needed to pass in different jurisdictions and the portability of scores. 

In Arizona a new alternate pathway to admission was approved by the Arizona Supreme Court in July 2024. The Arizona Lawyer Apprentice Program (ALAP) allows for those who sat for but did not pass the bar exam to gain admission to practice in Arizona if several conditions are met, namely, the taker must have achieved a score of at least 260 and must work either in an area of public interest law or in a rural jurisdiction for 2 years of supervised practice. More information can be found about the ALAP at this link. 

The UBE is administered twice a year, over two days. The timing is always the same: the last Tuesday and Wednesday in February and the last Tuesday and Wednesday* of July, with the written part on the Tuesday and the multiple choice part on the Wednesday. (*Technically, it is keyed to the Wednesday - the last Wednesday or the month and the Tuesday before). While standard timing is a two-day test, when accommodations of 1-1/4 time to double time are given, the test is administered over four days, not two.

To view the University of Arizona Law first-time Bar pass rates, please go to the College of Law website.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Taking the bar exam -

Whether or not to take the bar exam is a highly personal decision. Your legal education has provided you with valuable skills for any career and you may be planning on a career that does not require practicing law. If getting the JD is itself an end goal for you, that is great.

However, if you think that there is even a possibility that you will want or need to practice law at some point in the future, it is generally advisable that you sit for the exam right away, as your legal education draws to a close.

Some students elect to take the bar exam early, before they graduate, in February of their 3L year, however, the great majority of takers sit for the bar exam in July after they graduate. Most students who plan to take the bar exam do so in the calendar year that they graduate, but this is not necessary. You can sit for a bar exam at a later date.

The Supreme Court has a specific set of Rules (Rule 34(b)(2)) that govern when a student can take the test early. If you think you are interested in early testing, please also review the materials on our site about early testing.

Where do I take the bar exam?

  • It is generally best to take the bar exam in the jurisdiction where you intend to practice.
  • Some students sit for the bar exam in a state in which they do not intend to practice. Many states offer this option as a courtesy. If you think you may wish to do this, research "courtesy seating" to make sure you understand the rules of the jurisdiction in which you would like to sit.
  • Explore the requirements for any jurisdiction(s) you may be interested in sitting for a bar exam in and/or practicing in.
  • Consider costs of the bar exam and the costs of score transfer.
  • Research other testing and admissions requirements and deadlines.
  • Use the NCBE site for reference on each state's requirements. The NCBE site provides helpful links to the body charged with attorney admissions in each jurisdiction.

When do I register to take the bar?

The timeline is different for each jurisdiction. In Arizona, you can timely apply for the February bar exam between August 15th and October 31st. Timely application for the July exam is between January 15 and March 30th. 

For more information on the requirements of your jurisdiction, go to the website of the relevant body that handles attorney admissions. In Arizona, the Arizona Judicial Branch handles attorney admissions. Their website can be found here.

The Arizona Supreme Court's webpage on the "Bar Exam Cycle Calendar" has more information on dates and deadlines.

 

States administering UBE (and the date each began using the UBE)

Check the NCBE Website for updates and changes.

Non-UBE Jurisdictions:

See this map on the NCBE website for what portions of the UBE these "non-UBE" jurisdications administer on their bar exam.

  • California 

  • Delaware

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Hawaii

  • Louisiana

  • Mississippi

  • Nevada

  • South Dakota

  • Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • Northern Mariana Islands

  • Palau

  • Guam

The UBE is a uniform test that is administered by most jurisdictions in the United States. Although jurisdictions set their own requirements for a passing score, you can sit for the UBE in a state that administers the UBE and apply for admission and (assuming you meet the jurisdiction's other requirements) be admitted into any other UBE state if your score is sufficient for admission in that state. In other words, you might take the UBE in Texas, fail to earn the 270 required for admission there, but be admitted to practice in Kansas, which requires only a 266.

Don't make assumptions about your ability to practice in any jurisdiction based only upon the passing score needed. Each jurisdiction sets its own rules governing admissions of attorneys and you want to familiarize yourself fully with the rules in any state in which you are considering practicing law.

Helpful FAQs can be explored on the NCBE website, here.

The UBE Bar Exam is changing! but some things will remain the same. States that administer the UBE as the test for admission by examination will start switching to a new test form over the next few years. However, the NextGen Bar is still a version of the Uniform Bar Exam, so whether a UBE state delivers the NextGen Bar or the current (traditional) bar exam, it will still be a portable/transferable UBE score.

In Arizona, the NextGen Bar will be rolled out in July 2027. Other states will start delivering the NextGen Bar as soon as the summer of 2026. For a list of states adopting the NextGen Bar and when, see the NCBE page here. All UBE jurisdictions will eventually switch to the NextGen Bar - by 2028.

You can learn more about how the test will differ from the current UBE by looking at content scope outlines and sample questions here.

In preparing for the NextGen Bar, we are pleased to announce that our institutional partner, AccessLex was selected by the National Conference of Bar Examiners to assist in the development of the NextGen bar exam study materials. Helix is currently preparing its course for the NextGen launch.

Yes! Participation in ALAP does not foreclose other options for bar admissions. You can enjoy legal practice as an ALAP participant but still choose to sit for the bar exam again, in Arizona or elsewhere. If you achieve the full passing score of 270, you can gain full admission to practice law in Arizona.

ALAP participation also does not affect your ability to transfer your portable score to another jurisdiction. For instance, if you achieve a score of 260 on the UBE, you could practice in Arizona through ALAP and also transfer your 260 to New Mexico or any other state that accepts a 260 for admission.

Do all law schools offer a bar preparation program?

No. Arizona Law is committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help our graduates be successful in passing the bar exam – on the first try. For that reason, Helix Bar Review is available to all Arizona Law J.D. students and the cost is included in your tuition and fees. 

 

Do I have to use Helix Bar Review?

While Helix Bar Review is included as part of your law school fees, you are free to choose any bar review provider. However, if you opt for a different provider, your law school fees remain unchanged, and no refund is available for the portion allocated to Helix Bar Review.

 

My firm wants me to use a different bar prep plan, what should I do?

The partnership between Arizona Law and Helix Bar Review is founded on our assessment that Helix offers an efficient, effective, and valuable bar preparation experience for students. Should your firm cover the cost of a different bar prep vendor and require its use, rest assured that this partnership does not restrict your choice in any way.

 

What will be the cost to me to use Helix Bar Review?

Good news! The full cost of a comprehensive Helix Bar Review course is now included in your tuition and fees.

 

Who is eligible to use Helix Bar Review at no additional cost as a University of Arizona graduate?

Arizona Law’s partnership with Helix begins with Spring 2024 J.D. graduates. However, alumni who graduate prior to 2024 are eligible for the special partnership rate, as are any alumni of the law school and our L.L.M bar takers. Contact the Bar and Academic Success office for additional information on the discount. 

 

Do I need to be in Arizona to use Helix Bar Review?

You are not required to reside in Arizona to participate in Helix Bar Review. It is a fully online program complemented by additional support materials in book form. Still, if you can do it, we find that studying with a community of your law school colleagues or others studying for the bar exam – wherever you are – can make a real difference in your bar-prep experience.

 

May I use Helix Bar Review for any state’s bar exam?

Helix Bar Review is available for all forty-plus Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) jurisdictions, the California Bar Exam, and the Florida Bar Exam. Please note that it is not available for all state bar exams.

 

What if I need to re-take the bar exam, will I still have access to Helix on additional attempts?

Many of our most successful alumni overcame an initial bar-exam challenge. We are proud of our ultimate bar pass rates and we are here to support you. You are eligible for a free repeat if you meet the terms of the Helix Guarantee. (See “Do you offer a free repeat?” in the Helix FAQs.)

 

How feasible is it to work during bar preparation?

Working during bar prep – whether full-time or part-time – is one of the leading causes of bar failure. Bar prep requires 100% of your focus and effort. We encourage you to plan your finances ahead of time to save sufficient funds to cover your costs of living for the bar preparation period and, ideally, for the time between taking the exam and when your jurisdiction typically releases results. (If working during your bar preparation is necessary, we recommend taking advantage Helix Bar Review's 20-Week Study Plan. This plan is designed to accommodate a shorter daily study duration, beginning when the course opens 20 weeks before the bar exam.)

 

Are there resources for 1Ls and 2Ls from Helix and AccessLex?

AccessLex is committed to supporting all facets of legal education. On their AskEDNA platform, you can find JDEdge, as well as a number of additional student success and bar success lessons that will help demystify law school learning. Helix provides complimentary Law School Mini-Outlines covering the fundamentals in many 1L and 2L subjects, including Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Real Property and Torts. These mini-outlines, however, are a study aid and are not a substitute for preparing for class, taking notes, and creating your own outlines.

Helix also offers an excellent free, online, on-demand MPRE prep course to help you successfully prepare for the MPRE, typically taken during your 2L year or shortly thereafter.

MAX by AccessLex® provides quick and easy to understand financial management lessons – including management of your financial aid, free one-on-one financial coaching from Accredited Financial Counselors®, and scholarship incentives each year to help keep you motivated. From paying for law school to student loan repayment to investing for your retirement – and every step in between – MAX has you covered. (MAX can be accessed via the AskEDNA platform.)

 

How do I prepare for the MPRE?

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is required in all but two U.S. jurisdictions - Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. The purpose of the MPRE is to measure candidates' knowledge and understanding of established standards related to the professional conduct of lawyers. The MPRE is given three times a year and is usually taken near the end of your second year of law school or shortly thereafter. Helix Bar Review offers an excellent free MPRE prep course to all students, whether they ultimately use its full bar review course or not.

 

When does “bar prep” start?

Helix Bar Review has a schedule to fit your needs. It provides a 10-, 12-, 16- or 20-week schedule. The full course opens 20 weeks before each bar exam administration, so you may begin studying as soon as it makes sense for you during your last semester of law school. 

Whenever you choose to begin, make sure you do begin. And please – no later than 10 weeks before your bar exam, because successful bar preparation requires a significant amount of time and effort.

Do not be intimidated by the thought of all that time and effort – it is absolutely doable. But to do it, you need to get started. We have the utmost confidence in your ability to succeed.