New Mexico Bar Exam Information

Dates, Cost & Location

A diverse state that incorporates strong Native American and Hispanic influences into its culture, New Mexico is a great place to practice law. The state offers the bar exam in February and July of each year. The February 2026 exam takes place from February 24–25, 2026, while the July exam takes place from July 28–29, 2026. If you apply for the February 2026 exam between November 2, 2025 and January 1, 2026, the application fee is $750 plus an additional late fee of $500. If you apply for the July 2026 exam between February 1 and May 1, 2026, the application fee is $750. If you apply between May 2 and June 1, the application fee is $750 plus an additional late fee of $500.

Like 40 other jurisdictions in the United States, New Mexico uses the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). The UBE has three sections: the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). The MPT and MEE are administered on the first day of the exam, while the MBE is administered on the second day. On the first day, you’ll start with the MPT in the morning session. After a break for lunch, you’ll continue with the MEE in the afternoon. The MPT has two ninety-minute essay questions, while the MEE has six half-hour essay questions. The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is administered on the second day of the exam, and it’s split into two sessions: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For the MBE, test takers will spend six hours answering 200 multiple-choice questions.

New Mexico will start using the NextGen version of the UBE in July 2027. NextGen exam will not test the following subjects: Conflict of Laws, Family Law, Secured Transactions, and Trusts & Estates. NextGen will include more questions about practical legal work, such as legal writing, negotiations, and client relationships.

What subjects will you be tested on?

For the MEE, you may be tested on Business Associations (including Agency, Partnerships, and Corporations), Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts and Sales, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Secured Transactions (including Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code), Torts, and Wills & Estates. Not all of these subjects will necessarily be tested on exam day; the MEE tends to vary on which subjects are tested. Because there’s no way of knowing which subjects will be tested, we recommend studying all of the above subjects so you’re fully prepared to pass the bar.

The MPT works differently from the MEE even though both sections of the exam are essay based. Whereas the MEE tests your command of specific legal subjects, the MPT tests your legal writing ability by asking you to write a memorandum or brief in response to a prompt. The laws that apply to the facts of the question will be given to you in the prompt.

The MBE will test you on Constitutional Law, Contracts and Sales, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Federal Civil Procedure, Real Property, and Torts.

What’s the minimum score for the MPRE?

To pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in New Mexico, you must receive a scaled score of at least 80.

How is the exam scored?

The MPT, MEE, and MBE are combined into a single scaled score. The MBE is worth 50% of the total score, while the MPT is worth 20% and the MEE is worth 30%. To pass, you must achieve a combined scaled score of 260 out of 400.

When are the results released?

Test takers should expect to receive their results in April or May.

Can I transfer my MBE scores from another jurisdiction?

Yes.

What about reciprocity across states?

Lawyers from other jurisdictions may apply for reciprocity in New Mexico if they’ve practiced law for at least five of the past seven years, have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school, meet New Mexico’s character and fitness requirements, and are in good standing in their current jurisdiction(s).