Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination

Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination

If you want to be a lawyer in California, you need to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) and get a minimum scaled score of at least 86. (Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 5 of the Rules of the State Bar of California)

About the exam

The MPRE is developed and administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). It is a two-hour, 60-question, multiple-choice exam administered three times per year at test centers across the country. Information on the exam and its administration is available through the NCBE. All questions concerning MPRE application, and the administration, processing, and grading of this exam should be directed to the NCBE.

Reporting your MPRE score to the State Bar

Here's what you need to know and do to ensure your MPRE score gets to the State Bar promptly and without errors:

  • Register in the Applicant Portal: Make sure you are registered with the State Bar as a law student or attorney applicant. 
  • Anticipate processing times: After requesting your score from the NCBE, it takes about two to three business days for your score to be added to your State Bar account.
  • Make sure information is accurate: Incorrect information, like a wrong Social Security Number (SSN), can delay or cause issues in score reporting.

If you are applying to take the MPRE for your first time, on your application:

  • Designate California to receive your MPRE score; 
  • Add your NCBE number to your State Bar account in the Applicant Portal by updating the MPRE information under your contact information; and
  • Ensure that your SSN is correct. An incorrect SSN may cause a delay or issue with the State Bar receiving your MPRE score.

If you already achieved a minimum scaled score of at least 86 on the MPRE:

  • Submit a General Request through the Applicant Portal if you had your score reported before registering. Please indicate the month and year of the MPRE administration that you previously had your MPRE score reported to the State Bar.
  • For exams taken after 1999, request a score report through your NCBE account.
  • For exams taken before 1999, submit a copy of your score and a signed statement verifying under penalty of perjury that the report is accurate.
    • If you took the exam before 1999 and are admitted to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction, request a letter of verification from the jurisdiction stating that you achieved a minimum scaled score of 86 on the MPRE. The letter must be sent directly from the jurisdiction to the State Bar by email to examinations@calbar.ca.gov or by mail to 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

What's next

After submitting your score, please wait two to three business days for it to be processed and added to your State Bar account. You can check the status through your Admission Status screen in the Applicant Portal.

Contact us

If you have questions about reporting your MPRE to the State Bar, you can email examinations@calbar.ca.gov. Also, please visit the Applicant Portal for more information.

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