Alaska Bar Exam Information

Exam Dates, Cost & Location

The Alaska Bar Association currently has 4,889 members. In 2024, the Alaska Supreme Court established a special waiver to allow attorneys from other jurisdictions to practice in Alaska without taking the bar exam or otherwise being admitted to the bar, so long as the lawyer only engaged in pro bono legal services.

What sections are on the UBE?
The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) takes place over two days and consists of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), and the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), which includes four essay questions. The MPT evaluates practical skills a lawyer will engage in regularly, such as writing client letters. The MBE is a multiple-choice exam with 200 questions. The MEE is the essay portion of the exam and contains four essay questions.

What topics are covered on the bar exam?
The bar exam covers civil procedure, criminal law, criminal procedure, sales, secured transactions, evidence, real property, business associations, torts, constitutional law, trusts and estates, conflicts of law, and family law. Although not all of these subjects may appear on every bar exam, you should be thoroughly familiar with all of these subjects, as questions can be drawn from any of these subjects.

How is the UBE evaluated?
The National Council of Bar Examiners evaluates the MBE portion of the bar exam. Each jurisdiction evaluates the MEE and MPT portions.

When do the bar results come out?
The bar results are released 6–8 weeks after the exam.

How do I transfer my UBE score from another state?
In Alaska, you can transfer a UBE score of 270 or higher. Applying for admission with a transferred score incurs a $1000 fee.

What are the fees and deadlines for taking the bar exam in Alaska?
The fees and deadlines for taking the bar exam are on the Alaska Bar Association’s website. (Alaska Bar Association – Home)

What minimum MPRE score do you need for bar admission in Alaska?
To be admitted to practice law in Alaska, you must have scored 80 or better on the MPRE within the last 8 years.
If you still need to take the MPRE, you can find more information in our MPRE registration guide.

What reciprocity does Alaska have with other states?
Alaska allows admission on motion. Admission on motion enables lawyers with five or more years of experience to apply to waive into practice in Alaska, provided they pass the MPRE and Character and Fitness process. The Character and Fitness process can take 3–4 months to complete.

What if I want to use my laptop to take the bar exam?
If you wish to take the bar exam in Alaska on your personal laptop, there is a $125 laptop registration fee. You must also download ExamSoft (Learning Assessment Tools & Software), the software Alaska uses to administer the exam for computer users.

Can I receive accommodations to take the bar exam if I have a disability?
Alaska allows for accommodations when taking the bar exam. You must complete the Nonstandard Testing Application (Alaska Bar Association – Non-Standard Testing Application and Policy) to get accommodations. The application consists of the Testing Accommodations Questionnaire, the Medical Declaration Verification Form, the Law School Statement Regarding Granted Accommodations, and, if you have previously completed a bar exam in another jurisdiction, the Bar Exam Statement Regarding Granted Accommodations. The Medical Declaration Verification must be completed by a medical professional and sent directly to the Alaska Bar.