For attorneys, the MPRE is the defining ethics exam, traditionally taken after completion of a legal and professional ethics course and required before admission to the state bar. It tests potential attorneys on their knowledge and mastery of the rules and regulations governing the legal profession, what is and is not permitted behavior in practice. Everything from restrictions on fee schedules to addressing conflicts of interest are addressed, guiding new lawyers through the difficult waters that are legal ethics.
The MPRE is offered three (3) times during the year across each state. It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covered over two (2) hours.
Presently, the only areas NOT requiring the MPRE are Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. They may implement alternative state-specific requirements as well, so check with their offices for more information. The other US territories (Guam, Virgin Islands, Palau, Northern Mariana Islands) implement the MPRE alongside the other mainland states. New Jersey and Connecticut may accept completion of a law school ethics course as an alternative to taking the exam but check with them before making any assumptions.
The MPRE is monitored and controlled by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE); contact them or your state bar association’s office if you have questions about the exam.
Reminder: Numbers and information often change. Please check your state website for the official MPRE information! Do not rely on this page alone!
Disclaimer: The information does not count as professional or legal advice, nor is it guaranteed to be up-to-date. You are personally responsible for knowing the timing and scores of your state requirements. This list is updated only periodically and is not to be relied upon as the sole or primary source of information. Verify!
Generally, the darker states have a less stringent requirement (75) while the lighter states have higher requirements in the 80s. California and Utah both expect the most with minimum passing scores of 86.
