Chapter 15:
Bar Examination and Character & Fitness

Bar Examination Preparation

In planning a program of law study, JD and LLM students should consider the requirements for admission to the bar in the jurisdiction where they plan to practice.

Forty out of fifty states, along with the District of Columbia, have adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) as the primary assessment for licensing attorneys. Created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the UBE consists of the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The MBE consists of 200 multiple choice questions, the MEE consists of six essay questions, and the MPT consists of two 90-minute lawyering tasks. 

The other 11 states either administer their own state-specific exams based on the laws of those states. Except for Louisiana, these states require the MBE as 40-50% of the applicant’s bar exam score. The subjects tested on the MBE are Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including Sales), Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

The MEE tests Business Associations, Family Law, Secured Transactions, and Decedents’ Estates & Trusts. 

While states that administer the UBE test common subject areas, you will find that the remaining state-specific bar exams include courses which are unique to practice in the jurisdiction. For example, California tests Community Property. Florida and Virginia test Negotiable Instruments under Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code. 

Before planning your schedule, you should consult the bar exam requirements and admissions procedures of your state.  The best way to begin accessing this information will be to consult the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ website. Students matriculating into the School of Law beginning in the fall of 2023 should monitor announcements about the bar exam as the National Conference of Bar Examiners may institute the “Next Gen” bar exam beginning in the summer 2026 administration.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is also a requirement in most jurisdictions, including North Carolina.  The MPRE is a 60 question multiple-choice examination on professional ethics. Also created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the MPRE is administered three times a year. More information about the MPRE can be found on the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.

Character & Fitness: Continuing Responsibility to Report

In the School of Law Application for Admission, applicants are asked to answer several Character & Fitness questions, including whether they have been subject to any disciplinary action for academic or other reasons, as well as criminal investigation, arrest, or prosecution (apart from minor traffic violations). 

During their enrollment in law school, students continue to have a duty to disclose to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs any action or event of a similar nature which may occur after admission or was previously not disclosed when it should have been. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the School of Law or other appropriate disciplinary action.

Graduates seeking admission to the bar should also be aware that boards of law examiners ask the School of Law to certify the character and fitness of recent School of Law graduates. Boards will also closely examine whether applicants to the bar disclosed to their law schools matters that may reflect on their character or fitness to practice law. 

Requesting an Application Amendment/Addendum

Students or recent graduates seeking to report a Character & Fitness matter should complete a Request for Application Amendment/Addendum form, which can be found linked below or by contacting the Office of Student Affairs. 

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will evaluate the submission of information and will consult with other relevant parties of the School of Law when necessary (e.g., Assistant Dean of Admissions or admissions committee). The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will reach out if additional information is needed and will provide a formal notice to the student or graduate of the final disposition of the amendment/addendum request. A copy of formal response will be placed in the student or graduate permanent file.