Oklahoma bar exam: dates, fees and scores

Oklahoma's February 2027 deadlines and two late tiers

The deadline for February 2027 applications is Tuesday, September 1, 2026, with no late fee. The first late period ends October 1, 2026 with a $50 late fee, and the final deadline is November 1, 2026 with a $150 late fee. Those dates do not apply to repeat takers, whose deadline is December 15, 2026. The Board does not release sample answers for the essay questions.

Source: February 2027 Exam Application Period ↗

Admission on motion in Oklahoma

Rule Two requires a lawyer to be lawfully admitted and in good standing on active status in a reciprocal state, and engaged in the actual and continuous practice of law for at least three of the five years before applying. The practice does not have to be outside Oklahoma so long as any Oklahoma work did not amount to unauthorized practice. The applicant must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school, and the Certificate of Practice must be signed by people in good standing who have practiced at least as long as they attest to knowing the applicant.

Oklahoma lists 43 jurisdictions with reciprocity or admission on motion: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Source: Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners FAQ ↗

Oklahoma MPRE, admission deadline and ceremony

Oklahoma requires a minimum scaled MPRE score of 80, valid for an unlimited time. If the reciprocal state has a stricter minimum score or time limit, the higher standard applies, and a lawyer admitted before their own state required the MPRE must supply a passing score if that state requires it of Oklahoma lawyers. After the exam, admission must be completed within one year after results are released, or the exam is nullified.

The admission ceremony is normally two weeks after results are announced and is an official session of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, so attendance is required unless the Board makes other arrangements for compelling reasons. A passer must take the Oath of Attorney and sign the Roll of Attorneys before practicing. The Oklahoma Bar Association membership is automatic, and there are no dues or MCLE requirements for the rest of the calendar year of admission.

How Oklahoma treats felonies, bankruptcy, credit and driving records

A felony conviction is not an absolute bar. The Board considers the nature of the crime, how long ago it happened, the punishment and the applicant's positive contributions since, and a pardon or restoration of civil rights counts in the applicant's favor. Bankruptcy is not disqualifying in itself, but the Board looks at the reasons. It reviews credit because a lawyer handles client funds, and a lengthy record of traffic offenses or DUI charges may show a lack of respect for the law.

An unresolved character and fitness issue does not always stop an applicant from sitting. If it appears serious and reaches the Board before the exam, the Board may find the applicant ineligible until it is resolved, and even a passing applicant must resolve every issue before being licensed. An applicant with a military security clearance must still complete the NCBE character report application.

Oklahoma's July 2026 results by law school

The Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners breaks each exam out by the state's three law schools and everyone else. For July 2026 it lists 335 takers and 246 passing, 73%. First-time takers passed at 82% (233 of 283) and repeaters at 25% (13 of 52), matching the overall, first-timer and repeater figures NCBE lists for Oklahoma. The page's own heading says July 2025, but its address and title say July 2026 and its numbers match NCBE's July 2026 row, so the figures here are treated as July 2026.

The University of Oklahoma had the top first-time rate at 98% (87 of 89), Tulsa followed at 80% (48 of 60), and Oklahoma City University passed 72% of its 108 first-time takers (78). Graduates of all other schools passed 77% (20 of 26) on a first try. OCU's 134 takers were the largest group, and its total pass rate of 62% (83 of 134) was the lowest of the three Oklahoma schools.

Source: Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners: July 2026 Bar Exam Results ↗