FEE INCREASE FOR ALL EXAM APPLICATIONS
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has increased the fees for all applications submitted to the Maine Board of Bar Examiners. Beginning March 15, 2025, the fees for the Maine Bar Exam are as follows:
- Applicants Never Admitted in Any Jurisdiction or Admitted in Another Jurisdiction for Less Than One Year: $800
- Applicants Admitted in Another Jurisdiction for One Year or More: $900 (plus NCBE Character and Fitness Application fee paid directly to NCBE)
The PowerPoint at the link above will provide applicants with an overview of the application process for applicants wishing to take the Maine Bar Exam.
EXAM DAY SCHEDULE
The following schedule approximates the actual test days. Although the elapsed time for each test session is precise, the start and end times may vary.
First Day (MPT and MEE)
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration and seating
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Instructions
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 PM MPT
One-hour lunch break
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Instructions
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. MEE
Second Day (MBE)
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration and seating
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Instructions
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 PM MBE morning session
One-hour lunch break
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Instructions
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. MBE afternoon session
Schedules for those with ADA testing accommodations may vary from the standard schedule depending on the nature of the accommodation.
MPRE Score Requirement
On October 4, 2022, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court amended Rule 11 to state the following:
An applicant for admission by examination must have taken and obtained a passing score on the MPRE within 15 years prior to the date on which the applicant is admitted.
The amendment to this rule means that an MPRE Score is no longer required in order for an applicant to apply and sit for the Maine Bar Exam.
CONCURRENT APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED!
Maine will accept concurrent applications from examinees sitting for the UBE in another jurisdiction. Applicants must still apply as if taking the Maine bar exam, but do not have to sit in Maine if sitting for an exam in another UBE jurisdiction (for the same exam administration). In order to apply concurrently, please go to https://mainebarexaminers.org/exam-forms/exam-application-forms/and complete a Bar Exam application.
Location:
The February 2026 Maine Bar Examination will be administered at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Portland, Maine.
Dates:
The February 2026 Maine Bar Examination will be administered on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 and Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Deadlines:
Completed applications for the February 2026 Maine bar exam must be received by 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2025.
Fees:
If you have been admitted in any jurisdiction for more than one year, the fee is $900.00, plus a fee of $105-$550 (this fee varies, depending upon the NCBE application required), paid directly to NCBE for a separate NCBE application. MBAR 6(a)(1). All other bar exam applicants must pay a total fee of $800.00. MBAR 6(a)(2). If your application is not received by the Board by the deadline, the Board will only accept the application upon payment of a late fee of $150 if the Board receives the application within seven calendar days of the deadline. If the Board receives the application between the seventh and fourteenth calendar days after the deadline, the Board will only accept the application upon payment of a late fee of $300. No applications will be accepted more than fourteen days following the application deadline. MBAR 6(b).
There will not be an option to pay a late fee and submit an application after December 20, 2025 for the February 2026 exam. This change is made pursuant to Maine Bar Admission Rule 6(3)(b) and applies to all exam applications and testing accommodation applications.
Applications for Admission by Motion pursuant to Maine Bar Admission Rule 11A must be accompanied by a fee of $1,000.00, plus a fee of $105-$550 (this fee varies, depending upon NCBE the application required), paid directly to NCBE for a separate NCBE application. Please note that all application fees may be paid by personal check, cashier’s check, treasurer’s check, or money order payable to the Board of Bar Examiners. MBAR 6(a)(3).
Applications for Admission by UBE Score Transfer:
- Applicants not admitted in another jurisdiction for one year or more: $900
- Applicants admitted in another jurisdiction for a year or more: $1,000, plus a fee of $105-$550 (this fee varies, depending upon the NCBE application required), paid directly to NCBE for a separate NCBE application. MBAR 6(a)(3).