Why release dates differ so much
The MBE is scored by NCBE quickly. The essays and performance tasks are graded by the jurisdiction's own graders, and each jurisdiction runs its own calibration, scaling and review before it publishes. Volume matters: California graded 7,362 July 2025 takers and released on November 7, while Alaska graded 85 and released on October 31.
The July 2026 exam is still coming in: 21 jurisdictions had reported a date when NCBE's table was retrieved, with a median of 43 days.
When each jurisdiction actually released results, by administration
July 2025: 54 jurisdictions reported a release date to NCBE. The earliest was September 2, 2025, the latest November 24, 2025, and half had released by September 26.
February 2026: 52 jurisdictions reported a release date to NCBE. The earliest was March 27, 2026, the latest May 26, 2026, and half had released by April 14.
July 2026: 21 jurisdictions reported a release date to NCBE. The earliest was August 28, 2026, the latest September 18, 2026, and half had released by September 10 among those reported so far.
Each line below lists the jurisdictions that reported that release date to NCBE; a jurisdiction with no date for an administration had not reported one when NCBE's table was retrieved on September 23, 2026.
- July 2025, September 2: Wisconsin
- July 2025, September 3: North Carolina
- July 2025, September 4: Arkansas, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota
- July 2025, September 5: Iowa, New Mexico, West Virginia
- July 2025, September 8: Kansas
- July 2025, September 10: Idaho
- July 2025, September 12: Oklahoma, Utah, Washington
- July 2025, September 15: Montana
- July 2025, September 17: Hawaii, Vermont
- July 2025, September 18: Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi
- July 2025, September 19: Arizona
- July 2025, September 22: Florida, Wyoming
- July 2025, September 24: Missouri
- July 2025, September 25: Maine, Oregon
- July 2025, September 26: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New Hampshire
- July 2025, October 1: Delaware, Illinois
- July 2025, October 3: Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada
- July 2025, October 6: Texas, Virgin Islands
- July 2025, October 10: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia
- July 2025, October 17: Maryland, Michigan
- July 2025, October 23: New York
- July 2025, October 24: Ohio, Rhode Island
- July 2025, October 31: Alaska, District of Columbia, South Carolina
- July 2025, November 7: California
- July 2025, N/A: Northern Mariana Islands
- July 2025, November 24: Puerto Rico
- February 2026, March 27: Maryland, South Dakota
- February 2026, March 30: West Virginia
- February 2026, March 31: North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska
- February 2026, April 1: Wisconsin
- February 2026, April 3: Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Vermont
- February 2026, April 6: Oklahoma
- February 2026, April 7: Indiana
- February 2026, April 8: Missouri
- February 2026, April 9: Arkansas, Northern Mariana Islands, Tennessee
- February 2026, April 10: Arizona, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington
- February 2026, April 13: Florida, Texas
- February 2026, April 14: Idaho, Montana
- February 2026, April 16: Mississippi
- February 2026, April 17: District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wyoming
- February 2026, April 21: Massachusetts
- February 2026, April 22: New York
- February 2026, April 23: Colorado, Delaware
- February 2026, April 24: Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia
- February 2026, April 29: Alaska, Virgin Islands
- February 2026, May 1: California, South Carolina
- February 2026, May 4: Hawaii
- February 2026, May 6: Nevada
- February 2026, May 15: New Jersey
- February 2026, May 26: Puerto Rico
- July 2026, August 28: West Virginia
- July 2026, August 31: Arkansas
- July 2026, September 1: North Dakota, Wisconsin
- July 2026, September 2: North Carolina, New Mexico
- July 2026, September 3: Kansas, Nebraska
- July 2026, September 4: Iowa, South Dakota
- July 2026, September 10: Oklahoma
- July 2026, September 11: Maine, Utah, Wyoming
- July 2026, September 15: Vermont
- July 2026, September 16: Arizona, Indiana
- July 2026, September 17: Colorado
- July 2026, September 18: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii
What to do during the wait
Nothing you do in the wait changes the score, and some of it still matters in either outcome. Finish any open character and fitness items, because the review runs on its own clock and can leave you passed but not yet admitted. Read your jurisdiction's oath and swearing-in rules, and its retake and score-transfer rules, so the next step is ready on release day.
Days from the last exam day to the release date jurisdictions reported to NCBE
| Administration | Jurisdictions reporting | Earliest | Median | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | 53 | 34 days | 58 days | 117 days |
| February 2026 | 52 | 30 days | 48 days | 90 days |
| July 2026 (so far) | 21 | 30 days | 43 days | 51 days |
What to do next
- 1
Look up your jurisdiction's own published release date on its bar admission site.
- 2
Finish any open character and fitness paperwork while you wait.
- 3
Read your jurisdiction's oath and swearing-in rules before results arrive.
- 4
Read its retake and score-transfer rules so you know the next deadline either way.
Common questions
How long does it take to get bar exam results?+
Between 30 and 117 days after the last exam day depending on the state. The median was 58 days for July 2025 and 48 days for February 2026.
When did California release July 2025 results?+
November 7, 2025, for 7,362 takers. The State Bar scheduled the July 2026 results for November 6, 2026 through the applicant portal.
When do Alabama, Texas, South Carolina and Ohio release?+
Alabama releases about 8 to 9 weeks after the exam. Texas releases in mid-April and mid-October and South Carolina in late April and late October. Ohio released its 2026 results on April 24 and October 23.
Does character and fitness review run at the same time as grading?+
Yes, separately. NCBE performs the investigation for 29 jurisdictions and says its report can take up to 12 weeks, and California says a complete application generally takes at least 180 days. Passing the exam does not admit you until that review clears.
Can I find my score early?+
No. Jurisdictions control release, and a score posted before the published date should be treated as unofficial.