The cost of taking the bar exam can be a major financial obstacle for many law school graduates. The price of the exam itself, as well as the cost of studying for it, can add up quickly.
Many states require that examinees take a multiple-choice test known as the MBE (Multistate Bar Examination) in addition to the essay portion of the exam, which can further increase costs.
There’s also the MPT (Multistate Performance Test), which is required in some states. The MPT assesses a law school graduate’s ability to complete tasks typically performed by newly licensed attorneys, such as drafting a memo or brief.
Taking out loans to cover the cost of the bar exam is an option that many law school graduates choose. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with taking on debt to finance your bar exam preparation.
In addition to interest charges, you may also be responsible for late payment fees and other penalties if you are unable to repay your loan on time.
There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of taking the bar exam. Some states offer fee waivers for low-income individuals, and many bar review courses offer discounts to students who register early.
Also, many law schools offer loan forgiveness programs for graduates who choose to work in public interest law.
So, how much does it cost to take the bar exam? Let’s take a look at the fees associated with taking the exam, as well as the cost of studying for it.
Understanding Bar Exam Costs and Fees
The cost of taking the bar exam can vary widely from state to state. In some states, the cost is as low as $100, while in others, it can be as high as $3,000. The vast majority of states fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
There are a few factors that will affect the bar exam price that applicants pay. The first is the type of exam you take. There are two types of exams: the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). The UBE is a standardized test that is accepted by most states, while the MBE is state specific.
The second factor that will affect the cost of taking the bar exam is the length of the exam. The UBE is a two-day exam, while the MBE is one day only.
Finally, the cost of taking the bar exam will also depend on whether you take the exam in person or online. Taking the exam in person is generally more expensive than taking it online.
You also have to consider your travel and cost-of-living expenses, plane ticket, prep courses, filing fees, and laptop fee.
Second-time test-takers typically don’t have to pay as much as first-time takers. If you’re a licensed attorney, you can expect to pay significantly more in some cases to take the bar exam.
In order to determine how much it will cost in your state to take the bar exam, you should contact your state’s board of law examiners. They will be able to provide you with a complete list of costs and fees associated with taking the bar exam.
Cost of Bar Exam Registration
State bar exam registration fees vary by state but are typically around $250, and the fee for taking the bar exam itself is typically around $500. Once you factor in the bar exam cost, you could be looking at a total cost of anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the state in which you take the exam and whether you take a prep course.
For instance, the New York bar exam cost is $250. But in South Carolina, it’s a thousand dollars. Applicants applying as attorneys can expect to pay more. In North Dakota, the state charges attorneys just $150 to take the bar exam, whereas the Texas board of law examiners charges $1,040.
So it’s important to know what your state’s bar examiners charge so that you can prepare and make arrangements to cover the costs and fees.
Laptop Fee
Another bar exam fee is the laptop fee. Most states now allow laptops in the bar exam room, but there is usually a fee of around $100 to use a laptop. This fee is generally separate from the cost of the exam itself.
Bar Exam Prep Courses
The cost of taking a bar exam prep course can range from a few hundred dollars to over $3,000. There are many factors that go into the cost of a prep course, including the length of the course and whether it is offered in person or online. You can also expect to pay more for a prep course if it is offered by a well-known provider, such as Barbri or Kaplan.
Bar Exam Cost by State and Passing Scores in 2026
The bar exam passing score by state varies based on whether you’re taking the UBE or MBE. For example, in Alabama, the UBE passing score is 260, while Alaska’s UBE is 280.
For the MBE, the California bar exam has a passing score of 139. But in Virginia, it’s 140. Please note that if you don’t see a score listed for your state, that exam isn’t offered there.
Cost of Bar Exam by State + Passing Score by State in 2026
Alabama ($575)
UBE 260
MBE 130
Alaska ($800)
UBE 280
MBE 140
Arizona ($880)
UBE 273
MBE 136.5
Arkansas ($1,000)
UBE 270
MBE 135
California ($677)
MBE 139
Colorado ($710)
UBE 276
MBE 138
Connecticut ($800)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Delaware ($700)
MBE 145
District of Columbia ($100)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Florida ($1,000)
MBE 136
Georgia ($442)
MBE 135
Hawaii ($500)
MBE 134
Idaho ($600)
UBE 272
MBE 136
Illinois ($950)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Indiana ($250)
UBE 264
MBE 132
Iowa ($550)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Kansas ($700)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Kentucky ($875)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Maine ($600)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Maryland ($750)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Massachusetts ($815)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Michigan ($775)
UBE 268
MBE 135
Minnesota ($600)
UBE 260
MBE 130
Mississippi ($525 law student/$825 not a law student)
MBE 132
Missouri ($485 or $910)
UBE 260
MBE 130
Montana ($620)
UBE 266
MBE 133
Nebraska ($490)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Nevada ($700)
MBE 138
New Hampshire ($725)
UBE 270
MBE 135
New Jersey ($675)
UBE 266
MBE 133
New Mexico ($500)
UBE 260
MBE 130
New York ($250)
UBE 266
MBE 133
North Carolina ($850)
UBE 270
MBE 135
North Dakota ($150)
UBE 260
MBE 130
Ohio ($358)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Oklahoma ($400)
UBE 264
MBE 132
Oregon ($750)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Pennsylvania ($650)
UBE 272
MBE 136
Rhode Island ($975)
UBE 270
MBE 135
South Carolina ($1,000)
UBE 266
MBE 133
South Dakota ($450)
MBE 133
Tennessee ($575)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Texas ($300 or $490)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Utah ($550)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Vermont ($300)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Virginia ($950)
MBE 140
Washington ($585)
UBE 270
MBE 135
West Virginia ($500)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Wisconsin ($450)
MBE 129
Wyoming ($600)
UBE 270
MBE 135
Virgin Islands ($1,295)
UBE 266
MBE 133
FAQs on Bar Exam Cost
In some states, the fee for taking the exam is as low as $250, while in others, it can be over $1,000. However, the average cost of taking the bar exam is around $500.
The state of South Dakota ranks as the easiest for the bar exam.
California is frequently cited as having the hardest bar exam.
What You Need to Know About Bar Exam Loans
If you’re studying for the bar exam, you know that it’s a big investment of time and money. And if you’re like most people, you may not have a lot of extra cash on hand to cover all the costs associated with taking the test.
That’s where bar exam loans come in. Here’s what you need to know about how they work and how to get one.
What is a bar exam loan?
A bar exam loan is a type of a personal loan that can be used to cover the costs associated with taking the bar exam. This includes things like study materials, exam fees, and travel expenses. Many lenders offer bar exam loans with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms to help make the cost of taking the test more manageable.
How do bar exam loans work?
Bar exam loans work just like any other type of personal loan. You’ll need to complete and submit an application regarding your finances and some basic information. Once you get approved for the loan, you’ll receive the money in a lump sum, and then you’ll make monthly payments to the lender until the loan is paid off.
How do I qualify for a bar exam loan?
To qualify for a bar exam loan, you’ll need to have a good credit score and a steady income. Some lenders will also require that you have a co-signer in order to qualify for the loan. If you applied for a bar exam but were denied, a co-signer might help with your approval.
Conclusion
Now that you know the costs of the bar exam for your state, you can start to plan on studying for the bar exam with the best bar review courses so you can pass the first time.
Valerie Keene is an experienced lawyer and legal writer. Valerie’s litigation successes have included wins for cases involving contract disputes, real property disputes, and consumer issues. She has also assisted countless families with estate planning, guardianship issues, divorce and other family law matters. She provides clients with solid legal advice and representation.
