Tennessee administers the UNIFORM BAR EXAMINATION in February and July . The UBE consists of two Multistate Practice Tests (MPT), six Multistate Essay Examination questions (MEE) and the Multistate Bar Examination. Information regarding applications and deadlines can be found here. Suggestions for answering essay questions can be found at the end of this page.
Bar Examination Schedule
July/Summer 2023 Uniform Bar Examination Dates: July 25, and Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Testing will be in Knoxville at the Knoxville Convention Center , Memphis at the Great Hall and Conference Center, and Nashville at The Fairgrounds Exposition Center. Non-Standard Testing may be at other locations.
February/Winter 2024 Uniform Bar Examination Dates: Tuesday, February 27, and Wednesday, February 28, 2023. Testing will be Nashville only at The Fairgrounds Nashville Exposition Center. Non-Standard Testing may be at other locations.
For elements of a complete application, click the following link for the application instructions: How to Apply – first time exam or re-examination. If your application is not complete by the deadline, you will not be allowed to sit for the exam. All documents and payment must be received by the deadline.
Applicants are responsible for having read Tennessee Supreme Court Rules 7, 8 and 9, as well as the information on this website and Board Policies and Procedures, which are found under the Governing Authorities tab. Most questions can be answered by reading this material.
GENERAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL: The General Instruction Manual will be sent to all eligible exam applicants at least 1 month prior to the bar examination. All applicants, whether first-time or re-exam, MUST upload the signed Acknowledgment by the deadline included in the Manual in order to sit for the examination. If you fail to upload the signed Acknowledgment by the deadline, you will not be permitted to sit for the examination. A sample Manual can be found at the foot of this page and is updated for each exam. PLEASE BE SURE TO SUBMIT THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR THE CURRENT EXAMINATION which will be emailed to you. Once the Manual is released, you will find a fillable Acknowledgment form in your Synergy account in the “Letters” tab.
Applicants completing the bar examination will receive information for access to the Tennessee Law Course which must be completed, in addition to completion of the character and fitness investigation, in order to be eligible for admission.
Character and Fitness in-person interviews are required of applicants for admission by examination, re-examination and transferred UBE score who are not licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants for admission by exam, re-examination, transferred UBE score, comity or military spouse rules who are licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction may be required by the Board to appear for an in-person interview and will receive notice from the Board. Interviews are conducted in mid-August, September and March by members of the Tennessee bar appointed by the Supreme Court.