The Bar Exam: Application Dates, Deadlines, and Information Sessions

Upcoming Exams & Deadlines

You can begin the application process by visiting the NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which contains information about deadlines and requirements for different jurisdictions.

It is important that you routinely check your state’s bar admission page, as deadlines and requirements may change throughout the year and state committees are not flexible about waiving requirements.

Listed below are the bar exam dates and deadlines for the MPRE and the top six bar exam jurisdictions for HLS students. For more information, a list of all jurisdictions and their websites can be found here.

Bar exam accommodation application deadlines for the most common bar exam jurisdictions for HLS students can be found here. Links to most common jurisdictions’ accommodation webpages are also provided for students to familiarize themselves with the application requirements.

The MPRE

What is the MPRE?

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is required for admission to the bars for the majority of U.S. jurisdictions.

It’s a two hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam administered three times per year (March, August, and November).

J.D. students may sit for the MPRE before taking a Legal Profession course at HLS.

You can find out more about this exam on the NCBE’s website.
2026 MPRE Dates

March 24th (Tuesday) and 25th (Wednesday)

August 11th (Tuesday) and 12th (Wednesday)

November 12th (Thursday) and 13th (Friday)
2026 MPRE Registration Deadlines

March Exams: January 22nd

August Exams: June 11th

November Exams: September 17th

*If you are requesting an accommodation from the NCBE, do not register for the MPRE until you have been granted that accommodation
2026 MPRE Accommodation Deadlines

March Exams: November 20, 2025

August Exams: April 23rd

November Exams: July 30th

*The NCBE advises individuals requesting accommodations to submit their request as far in advance of their desired test administration as possible.

*Do NOT register for the MPRE until you have received your accommodation determination letter from the NCBE, as it will provide instructions on how to schedule your test appointment with your accommodation at a Pearson VUE testing center.

New York

2026 NY Bar Exam Dates & Application Filing Windows

February 24th-25th Exam: October 1-31, 2025 filing window

July 28th-29th Exam: March 1-31, 2026 filing window
NY Bar Exam Accommodation Application Deadlines

July Exam: March 31st of that year

February Exam: October 31st of the previous year

*Must be received by the date above, not by postmark.
2026 NYLE Dates & Registration Deadlines

(2025) December 18th Exam: November 18th

April 16th Exam: March 17th

September 24th Exam: August 25th

December 17th Exam: November 17th

*All exams are on Thursdays at 12pm ET.

*You must complete the NYLC to register for the NYLE.
2026 NYLE Accommodation Application Deadlines

(2025) December 18th Exam: September 19th

April 16th Exam: January 16th

September 24th Exam: June 26th

December 17th Exam: September 18th

*Must be received by the date above, not by postmark.

*Applicants may now complete the Application for Testing Accommodations online by logging into their NY BOLE account through the Applicant Services Portal. The online Application will not be deemed submitted until all required supporting documentation is electronically uploaded to the Board, which must be done by the posted deadlines.

*The Application for Testing Accommodations is separate from the NYLE registration.

*Applicants can apply for accommodations for both the NY Bar Exam and NYLE at the same time.

California

2026 CA Bar Exam Dates & Application Window

*February Exam: February 24th and 25th

Timely Filing Window: October 1st to November 1st

Late Deadline: November 2nd to November 30th (will incur the applicable late fee)

Final Deadline: December 1st to January 2nd (will incur the applicable late fee)

*July Exam: July 28th and 29th

Timely Filing Window: March 1st to April 1st

Late Deadline: April 2nd to April 30th (will incur the applicable late fee)

Final Deadline: May 1st to June 1st (will incur the applicable late fee)
CA Bar Exam Accommodation Application Deadlines

February Exam: January 1st of that year

July Exam: June 1st of that year

*Must be received by the date above.

*If a deadline falls on a nonbusiness day, the deadline will be the next business day.

District of Columbia (DC)

2026 DC Bar Exam Dates & Application Window

February Exam: February 24th and 25th

July Exam: July 28th and 29th

Filing Window: March 1st to March 31st

*There is no late filing period. Late applications will not be accepted.
2026 DC Bar Exam Accommodation Request Deadline

Accommodation requests must be submitted with a completed bar exam application.

The deadline for submitting the bar exam application and accommodation requests is March 31st.

Late requests will not be accepted.

Massachusetts

2026 MA Bar Exam Dates & Application Window

2026 February Exam: February 24th and 25th

2026 July Exam: July 28th and 29th

Filing Window: Typically is 75 days prior to the first day of the bar exam.
MA Bar Exam Accommodation Application Deadlines

February Exam: November 1st of the previous year

July Exam: April 1st of that year

Applications for testing accommodations may be submitted up to six months before the exam to which you are applying.

Texas

TX February Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

2026 Exam Date: February 24th to 25th

Application Available: June 30th of the previous year

Timely Filing Deadline: September 1st

Late Filing Deadline: November 1st

Final Filing Deadline: December 1st

*Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with a Bar Exam Application, but no later than the Late Filing Deadline (November 1st).
TX July Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

2026 Exam Date: July 28th and 29th

Application Available: December 4th of the previous year

Timely Filing Deadline: February 1st

Late Filing Deadline: April 1st

Final Filing Deadline: May 1st

*Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with a Bar Exam Application, but no later than the Late Filing Deadline (April 1st).

Illinois

IL February Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

2026 Exam Date: February 24th to 25th

Timely Filing Deadline: September 15th

Late Filing Deadline: November 1st

Final Filing Deadline: November 30th

*Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with the paper portion of the Bar Exam Application. They are not electronically filed.
IL July Bar Exam Dates & Deadlines

2026 Exam Date: July 28th and 29th

Timely Filing Deadline: February 15th

Late Filing Deadline: April 1st

Final Filing Deadline: April 30th

*Requests for Testing Accommodations must be submitted with the paper portion of the Bar Exam Application. The are not electronically filed.

Upcoming Events

DC Bar Exam Information Session

February 3, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

Information Session on the DC Bar Exam and Application process. The DC Application is available on March 1st, and the deadline is March 31st.
California Bar Exam Information Session

February 10, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

Information Session on the CA Bar Exam and Application process. The CA Application is available on March 1st, and the timely deadline is typically April 1st.
NY Bar Exam Information Session

February 17, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

Information Session on the NY Bar Exam and Application process. The NY Application is available on March 1st, and the deadline is March 31st.
MPRE Information Session

February 24, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

An information session on the MPRE and application process.
NY/CA/DC Apply Together Event

March 3, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
Massachusetts Bar Exam Info Session

March 10, 2026
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm

Information Session on the MA Bar Exam and Application process. The MA Application is available in late March/early April, and the deadline to submit is May 8th.