Bar Exam Changes in 2012

The Colorado Supreme Court (Court) exercises jurisdiction over all matters involving the licensing of persons to practice law in the State of Colorado. The Court also appoints the Colorado State Board of Law Examiners (Board), which recommends changes or additions to the rules of procedure governing the admission to the practice of law. The Board announced that Colorado has adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) effective November 1, 2011. Other jurisdictions adopting the UBE include Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Washington. See amended C.R.C.P. Chapter 18 Rules 201.1 et. seq., as well as the following websites: http://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/BLE/ble_home.htm ; http://www.cbaclelegalconnection.com ; and http://www.ncbex.org/ for information.

The UBE score includes scaled scores from the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) (50%), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) (30%), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) (20%). Prior to admission to practice law in Colorado, applicants must also complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and the one day Mandatory Course on Professionalism. The ability to transfer UBE scores among states is determined by each individual jurisdiction.

Written by Catharine Cott, Reference Librarian