Chapter 15:
Bar Examination and Character & Fitness

Bar Examination Preparation

In planning a program of law study, JD and LLM students should consider the requirements for admission to the bar in the jurisdiction where they plan to practice.

More than forty states, along with the District of Columbia, have adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) as the primary assessment for licensing attorneys. Created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the UBE consists of the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The MBE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, the MEE consists of six essay questions, and the MPT consists of two 90-minute lawyering tasks. 

The other states administer their own state-specific exams based on the laws of those states. Except for Louisiana, these states require the MBE as 40-50% of the applicant’s bar exam score. The subjects tested on the MBE are Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including Sales), Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

The MEE tests Business Associations, Family Law, Secured Transactions, and Decedents’ Estates & Trusts. 

While states that administer the UBE test common subject areas, you will find that the remaining state-specific bar exams include courses that are unique to practice in the jurisdiction. For example, California tests Community Property. Florida and Virginia test Negotiable Instruments under Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code. 

Beginning in July 2026, some jurisdictions will begin to administer the NextGen UBE exam. Not all states that have adopted the UBE have adopted the NextGen UBE for 2026. Some jurisdictions will not begin their administration of the NextGen UBE until 2027 or after. The NextGen UBE has a different structure from the UBE. The NextGen UBE consists of three three-hour testing sessions, which include a mix of multiple-choice issue-spotter questions, integrated question sets that interweave more than one area of law, and shorter performance tasks. Students matriculating into the School of Law beginning in the fall of 2023 should monitor announcements about the bar exam as the National Conference of Bar Examiners may institute the Next Gen UBE exam beginning in the summer 2026 administration.

Before planning your schedule, you should consult the bar exam requirements and admissions procedures of your state. The best way to begin accessing this information will be to consult the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ website. 

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is also a requirement in most jurisdictions, including North Carolina. The MPRE is a 60-question multiple-choice examination on professional ethics. Also created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, the MPRE is administered three times a year. More information about the MPRE can be found on the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.

State Licensure & Certification

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Information regarding state-specific licensure and certification requirements for the Juris Doctor (JD) degree program at Wake Forest University School of Law is listed on the Law School website.

Character & Fitness: Continuing Responsibility to Report

As part of the School of Law application for admission, applicants are required to respond to a series of Character & Fitness questions. These questions include, among other matters, whether the applicant has been subject to academic or other disciplinary action; criminal investigation, arrest, charge, or prosecution; traffic violations (other than parking violations); or any other conduct that may bear upon the applicant’s character, integrity, or fitness to practice law.

The obligation to disclose such matters is ongoing. Throughout their enrollment at the School of Law, students must promptly notify the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in writing (see Requesting an Application Amendment/Addendum section below) of any event or circumstance that would require a “yes” answer to the Character & Fitness questions on the application for admission, whether the matter:

• Occurs after admission; or

• Occurred prior to admission but was not previously disclosed.

Students are responsible for ensuring that their disclosures are complete, accurate, and timely. Failure to disclose required information, or providing incomplete or misleading information, may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Students should also understand that bar admission authorities independently investigate applicants’ character and fitness. As part of the bar application process, boards of law examiners routinely request that the School of Law certify a graduate’s academic record and character. Bar authorities specifically review whether applicants fully and timely disclosed relevant matters to their law schools. Inconsistent or incomplete disclosures—whether to the School of Law or to a bar authority—may delay or jeopardize admission to practice.

Students who are uncertain whether a matter must be disclosed are strongly encouraged to consult with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. When in doubt, disclosure is the prudent course.

Requesting an Application Amendment/Addendum

Students may request to review their Law School application with the Admissions Office. 

Students or recent graduates seeking to report a Character & Fitness matter should complete a Request for Application Amendment/Addendum form, which can be found linked below or by contacting the Office of Student Affairs. 

The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will evaluate the submission of information and will consult with other relevant parties of the School of Law when necessary (e.g., Assistant Dean of Admissions or admissions committee). The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs will reach out if additional information is needed and will provide a formal notice to the student or graduate of the final disposition of the amendment/addendum request. A copy of the formal response will be placed in the student's or graduate's permanent file.

Requesting a Dean's Certification

Often, jurisdictions as part of their bar admission process will request that an applicant file a "Certification of the Dean" or other similarly titled form. These requests should be directed to the Law Registrar's office for completion, not to the Office of the Dean.