New York quick facts for 2027
From BARBRI's New York page, which you should confirm with the Board of Law Examiners: exam dates are February 23 and 24, 2027 and July 27 and 28, 2027, and the application windows are October 1 to 31 for February and March 1 to 31 for July. The passing score is 266 out of 400, weighted 50 percent MBE, 30 percent MEE and 20 percent MPT. The exam fee is $250 ($750 for foreign-trained applicants), the laptop fee $100 and the NYLE software $29.
- NYLC: a free online course of 17 hours of lectures.
- NYLE: a 50-question open-book test, 60 percent to pass.
- MPRE: a scaled score of 85.
- Pro bono: 50 hours of law-related service before admission.
- NextGen UBE: New York starts July 2028.
Route by administration before studying
New York’s NextGen adoption date determines whether the candidate needs legacy MBE/MEE/MPT preparation or integrated NextGen preparation. Use the Court of Appeals and Board of Law Examiners notices for the controlling administration. Do not assume that ‘New York bar’ always means the same course.
Keep New York requirements in separate lanes
The uniform exam score is only one part of admission. Track eligibility, application to sit, NYLC and NYLE, MPRE, pro bono, skills-competency pathway, character and fitness, and the Appellate Division process separately. Foreign-trained candidates may need an advance eligibility determination and document lead time.
Treat the 270 passing score for the Uniform Bar Exam as a jurisdiction standard, not a study formula
New York has historically used a 266 legacy UBE passing score; current and future NextGen standards must be confirmed for the administration. A target score cannot be reverse-engineered reliably from uncalibrated practice percentages. Use official scale information and balanced timed performance.
The four New York requirements that shape your timeline
The passing score in New York is 266 on the 400-point UBE scale, and passing does not finish the job. The Board also requires an MPRE score of 85, valid four years from the day it was taken, the New York Law Course and the New York Law Exam. The course cannot be completed more than one year before you first sat for the UBE, and a New York Law Exam score is valid for three years from its results date.
Two more items sit outside the exam calendar: 50 hours of pro bono service, and the Skills Competency Requirement for anyone who began law school after August 1, 2016. The Board also requires applicants to be at least 21 and to clear character and fitness under Rule 520.12.
Filing window, fees and the transfer clock
New York's filing window is a single month. For the February 23-24, 2027 exam it runs October 1 through 31, 2026, and the Board lists March 1 through 31 for July filings in both 2025 and 2026. A UBE score from another state is accepted for three years from the date you sat, but the binding deadline is Rule 520.12(d)(1): a complete application to the Appellate Division within three years of the second day of the UBE.
The Board's fee for a transferred score is $250 for most applicants and $750 for study of law in a foreign country, and NCBE charges $25 per score transcript. Admission on motion under Rule 520.10 needs an ABA-approved JD and practice in five of the seven years before applying, at a $400 Board fee.
Common questions
What score do I need to pass the New York bar exam?+
266 on the 400-point UBE scale. The same 266 is the minimum for transferring a UBE score into New York.
When can I take the New York Law Course?+
Not earlier than one year before you first sit for the UBE. The course is a separate requirement that the Board checks before certifying you to the Appellate Division.
How long does a New York Law Exam score last?+
Three years from the date of that exam's results. Plan the New York Law Exam so the score is still valid when your complete file reaches the Board.
How long is a New York MPRE score valid?+
Four years from the date you sat for that MPRE, and the required score is 85.
Does New York require pro bono work?+
Yes, 50 hours of pro bono service before the Appellate Division admits you. Applicants who began law school after August 1, 2016 must also meet the Skills Competency Requirement.
What is New York's transferred-score deadline?+
Three years from the date you sat for the UBE, applied through Rule 520.12(d)(1). The Board asks for the transfer application at least 30 days before that date.
When do I file for the February 2027 New York exam?+
October 1 through October 31, 2026. New York uses a one-month window for each exam, so plan the application before September ends.
How much practice does New York require for admission on motion?+
Five of the seven years before you apply, with an ABA-approved JD and admission in a reciprocal jurisdiction. The Board collects a $400 fee.
What to do next
- 1
Confirm the exam version by date.
- 2
Build separate exam and admission calendars.
- 3
Complete NYLC/NYLE requirements under current rules.
- 4
Verify transfer score and age conditions.
- 5
Track the correct Appellate Division admission process.