The following questions are frequently asked about admission to the bar of Illinois. Each of the below questions is linked to the corresponding answer. For complete information, please refer to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Governing Admission to the Bar and the Rules of Procedure for the Board of Admissions to the Bar and the Committees on Character and Fitness, as well as corresponding areas of this website.
For technical assistance with our website via email or to provide feedback regarding the website, click here.
How do I update the Board with new personal or contact info, such as a name change or new email address? Personal information updates must be submitted on an applicant's www.ilbaradmissions.org user homepage. Log in with your current email and password and go to Personal Info at the top right of the screen. Then " Click here to update your login information".
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You can use the "Upload Photo" button located in the Upload Your Photo section on your user homepage or click the "Personal Info" link in the upper right corner of your user home page. There is also a "Upload New Photo" button located below the "Place of Birth" field. Review the list of upload photo submission requirements to verify that the photo you are uploading meets all of the requirements. Please submit a Technical Support Request, found at the bottom of the screen, if you have any issues uploading your photo.
I submitted an Illinois Law Student Registration application prior to 2014 and am now ready to apply for a bar examination. What is that process?
Bar Exam applicants who filed Illinois Law Student Registration applications prior to 2014 but have not subsequently applied for a bar exam must contact our office for further instruction before attempting to make application. This type of applicant will have fees which deviate from other categories of bar exam applicant. Please visit this link to contact your assigned staff member for help: https://www.ilbaradmissions.org/faq.action#226
Please upload a new photo in accordance with the requirements listed below. We recommend that you use a professional passport photo service to ensure your photo meets our requirements. Information and examples of passport quality photos can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/photoexamples/photoexamples_5331.html. The acceptance of your photo is at the discretion of IBAB. Photo requirements are:
Applicants who do not provide an ACCEPTABLE photo to IBAB will be denied admittance to the bar exam. There will be no exceptions.
May I apply if I have been rejected or my hearing is pending on character and fitness grounds in another jurisdiction?
Yes, an applicant who has been rejected or as to whom a hearing is pending on a ground related to character and fitness in another jurisdiction may apply for admission. However, any such applicant will not be permitted to take the bar examination unless and until s/he has received certification of good moral character and general fitness to practice law by the Committee on Character and fitness.
You may purchase your Essay/MPT study materials via Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover only.
Fees may be paid in one of two ways:
- By credit or debit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Discover only) on our website after the online application is complete. A convenience fee will be added to each credit card payment. If the credit card charge is denied, the application will not have been electronically submitted.
- By cashier’s check, certified check or money order (US Dollars).
Personal checks, travelers checks, and corporate and law firm checks are NOT accepted. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 706(j), filing fees are not refundable or transferable even if you withdraw your application or for any other reason.
The only way to charge your examination, application on motion or in-house counsel fee is to submit it via the website; The Board office employees (including Tech Support) are not able to do it manually.
Master Card, Visa, American Express and Discover are the only credit or debit cards accepted. We are now accepting international credit cards.
Do I have any privacy rights associated with the use of my proof of U.S. citizenship, my status as a lawful permanent resident, or my status as a non-immigrant alien authorized to work in the U.S. for the Application for Character and Fitness Report?
Yes, every applicant who submits the required documentation as part of the Application for Character and Fitness Report has a right to privacy. The board is required to follow the Privacy Act and other applicable laws, regulations and policies in conducting verifications as well as safeguarding and maintaining any data provided by USCIS.
All fees paid are nonrefundable and nontransferrable pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 706(j)
Application forms are available on this website. Most are completed online and submitted electronically; others are printed from the website, completed, and submitted by mail or overnight delivery. Applicants must also submit a copy of a current driving record from all states licensed to drive within the last 10 years to be included in the paper documentation.
Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar
625 S College Street
Springfield IL 62704-2521
No, the Board need not receive the materials on or before the deadline. If an applicant has submitted the electronic forms, s/he can meet the filing deadline by posting the paper portion of his/her application (and any required fee) on or before that date. In this context, "posting" means delivery of all required materials, contained in a sealed envelope bearing proper and sufficient postage and correctly addressed to the Board at 625 S College Street, Springfield IL 62704-2521, to the USPS or national overnight carrier, at a time and on a day when the USPS or national overnight carrier collects and postmarks letters and packages for delivery.
When is my application considered "properly submitted" for purposes of determining timeliness and compliance with the requirements?
Your application is considered properly submitted when you submit your application AND we receive the required fee.
No. The volume of application materials received by the Board precludes confirmation of receipt of application materials by phone. If you wish verification that we received your paper application materials and/or fee, you must ship your materials by overnight carrier or USPO return receipt and obtain verification of delivery from your carrier.
By phone at 217.522.5917; phones are answered Monday through Friday from 8.30 AM until 4 PM. The Board of Admissions is closed on state and federal holidays.
By fax to 217.522.3728 or 217.522.9327
Your application will be assigned for processing on the basis of the first letter(s) of your last name. Current file analysts and their letter assignments are set forth below.
Paula Ramsey-Brown will be responsible for processing all 705, 712 - 713 (FLC), 716, 717 and 719 applications pramsey-brown@ilbaradmissions.org
Dorothy Holmes will be responsible for processing all 704A - Admission by UBE Transfer and all Admission by Transferred October 2020 Remote Score applications dholmes@ilbaradmissions.org
| Letter Range | Name of Analyst | Email Address |
| A - Ber | Hailey Cook | hcook@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Bes - Ch | Lisa Koskey | lkoskey@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Ci - Fow | Simi Ayegbusi | sayegbusi@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Fox - Hul | Judi McDonough | jmcdonough@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Hum - Lev | Lisa Bailey | lbailey@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Lew - Nel | Kenzie Chalifoux | Kchalifoux@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Nem - Rob | Tyona Glenn | tglenn@ilbaradmissions.org |
| Roc - S | Tammy Adams | tadams@ilbaradmissions.org |
| T - Z | Tara Henrikson | thenrikson@ilbaradmissions.org |
IBAB considers your application submitted when we receive the required fee.
The preferred method of communication is to email your file analyst. Understand that your file analyst is working on several files concurrently, so please allow a reasonable amount of time for a response.
You may also phone your file analyst Monday through Friday between 8.30 AM and 4 PM at 217.522.5917. Many file analysts choose a particular time of day to return calls, so you may be asked to leave your name, number, and message in his or her voice mailbox.
If you have Nonstandard Testing Accommodation (NTA) questions, you may email NTA@ilbaradmissions.org
Yes, an applicant previously convicted of a felony or currently charged with a felony may apply for admission. However, any such applicant will not be permitted to take the bar examination unless and until s/he has received certification of good moral character and general fitness to practice law by the Committee on Character and fitness.
May I apply for admission if I have been disciplined or if disciplinary charges are pending against me in another jurisdiction?
Yes, an applicant admitted to practice in another jurisdiction who has been reprimanded, censured, disciplined, suspended, or disbarred in such other jurisdiction or against whom disciplinary charges are pending may apply for admission. However, any such applicant will not be permitted to take the bar examination unless and until s/he has received certification of good moral character and general fitness to practice law by the Committee on Character and fitness.
Please refer to your results letter under Essay/MPT Question and Answer Study Materials.
Who is eligible for admission by transferred October 2020 Remote Exam Score? Agreements for October 2020 score portability were sought only with other jurisdictions administering the same exam, on the same dates, with the same content. Illinois will engage in reciprocity with the following jurisdictions: Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont and the *Virgin Island. The agreement applies only to scores earned on the October 5-6, 2020 exam and not to any other score or any other exam. Back to TOP
Does Illinois have a pre-admission or post-admission state-specific testing component? No. Back to TOP
All attorneys in Illinois must comply with the regulations for continuing legal education. Depending upon the date of admission and number of years of practice, the rules vary. The continuing legal education rules for all Illinois attorneys may be found here: Supreme
Do all jurisdictions that administered the October 2020 Remote Exam have state-specific requirements or separate testing components? Jurisdiction requirements range from live courses to online courses to open-book testing to post-admission courses or mentorships. Check with other jurisdictions for their requirements. Back to TOP
If I took the October 2020 Remote Exam but did not meet that state’s passing score, can I still transfer my October 2020 Remote Exam total scaled score to Illinois? Yes, if it meets the total score of 266, which is Illinois' passing standard and assuming all other admission requirements are met. Back to TOP
How old can my October 2020 Remote Exam score be to transfer to Illinois? The October 2020 Remote Exam score will expire on October 6, 2024. Back to TOP
How much does it cost to transfer my October 2020 Remote Exam Score? Each applicant for admission to the bar by transferred October Remote Exam score shall pay a fee of $1,250. Back to TOP
I would like to transfer my October 2020 Remote Exam score to Illinois, but I did not graduate from an ABA accredited law school – am I eligible? No. See Rule 703(b). http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_VII/artVII.htm#Rule703 Back to TOP
I have a foreign law degree – am I eligible to transfer my October 2020 Remote Exam score to Illinois?
No. Graduates of foreign law schools may not transfer October 2020 Remote Exam scores to Illinois and do not qualify for Admission on Motion. Foreign law degree applicants may, however, apply to take the Illinois bar examination under Rule 715 with a minimum of five (5) of the past seven (7) years of previous practice.
I failed the Illinois bar examination in the past, but now have a October 2020 Remote Exam score from another jurisdiction that I would like to transfer to Illinois – am I eligible? You may apply for admission by transferred October 2020 Remote Exam score even if you have previously failed the Illinois Bar Examination, provided you meet all of the requirements. Back to TOP
May I transfer a Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) score to Illinois? No. Beginning with the July 2022 exam, Illinois will no longer offer admission by examination with MBE score transfer. Back to TOP
Once I have transferred my October 2020 Remote Exam score to Illinois and completed the character and fitness and all other requirements, how do I get my license?
An applicant seeking admission in Illinois by transferred October 2020 Remote Exam score may receive a license once the Board of Admissions has certified to the Illinois Supreme Court that the applicant has achieved a passing score of at least 266 on the October 2020 Remote Exam, and meets the requirements of good moral character and fitness to practice law. See Illinois Supreme Court Rules 704(e) and 704A(e).
The UBE is a uniformly administered, graded, and scored bar examination that results in a portable score. The UBE tests knowledge of general principles of law, legal analysis and reasoning, factual analysis, and communication skills to determine readiness to enter legal practice in any jurisdiction. http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube/
The UBE was adopted by the Illinois Supreme Court on June 8, 2018 and the first administration was July 2019.
All attorneys in Illinois must comply with the regulations for continuing legal education. Depending upon the date of admission and number of years of practice, the rules vary. The continuing legal education rules for all Illinois attorneys may be found here:
Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois information:
Jurisdictions requirements range from live courses to online courses to open-book testing to post-admission courses or mentorships. İnformation can be found here:
The Illinois bar examination prior to the UBE consisted of three Illinois essay questions, one MPT task, and six MEE questions on Tuesday, and the MBE on Wednesday. The Illinois section was worth 13.3%, the MPT 10%, the MEE 26.7%, and the MBE 50%. An additional MPT task will replace the three Illinois essay questions. Both the prior Illinois bar exam and the new UBE are scored on a 400 point scale. The two MPT sections will be worth 20% total, the MEE 30%, and the MBE 50%. A total UBE scaled score of 266 or higher is needed to pass. The former Illinois bar exam and the UBE are 7/8 or 87.5% the same.
There are no longer word or character limits for any MEE or MPT answers. Handwriters may request additional corresponding answer booklets if needed, but no extra time will be given when additional answer booklets are utilized. Laptop users may continue to type within a test session’s allotted time with no character limitations.
The UBE test day schedule is:
MPT (Two 90-minute items) MBE AM (100 question, multiple-choice, 3 hours)
MEE (Six essays, 3 hours) MBE PM (100 question, multiple-choice, 3 hours)
MPT Content: A simulated case file presented in a realistic setting and calling for the test candidate to demonstrate fundamental lawyering skills regardless of the area of law in which the task arises.
MEE Subjects: Areas of law that may be covered on the MEE include Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations and Limited Liability Companies), Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law, Contracts (including Article 2 [Sales] of the Uniform Commercial Code), Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates (Decedents' Estates; Trusts and Future Interests), and Article 9 (Secured Transactions) of the Uniform Commercial Code. Some questions may include issues in more than one area of law. The particular areas covered vary from exam to exam.
MBE Subjects: Contracts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, and Civil Procedure.
If I take the UBE in Illinois but do not meet its minimum passing score of 266, can I still transfer my score to another UBE jurisdiction?
Yes, UBE Jurisdictions will accept transferred scores that meet their own passing standards whether or not the score meets the passing standard in the testing jurisdiction, assuming all other admission requirements are met.
No, not in Illinois. Illinois does not allow concurrent testing with other jurisdictions. For any jurisdiction, UBE applicants must take all portions of the examination (MPT, MEE and MBE) in the same UBE jurisdiction and in the same exam administration to earn a portable UBE score.
For ALL applicants taking the Illinois bar exam, a passing score is valid in Illinois for four (4) years. Jurisdictions vary widely on the age of the UBE score they will accept – from 18 months to 60 months. There is also a total scaled UBE score minimum requirement which also varies by jurisdiction – from 260 to 280. Each jurisdiction that administers the UBE sets it owns minimum passing score. Charts showing Minimum Passing UBE Scores and Maximum Age of Transferred UBE Scores by Jurisdiction can be found on the NCBE site at http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube/score-portability/minimum-scores/ and http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube/score-portability/maximum-score-age/ .
If I transfer my UBE score to another UBE jurisdiction, do I have to complete the character and fitness process again?
Yes. Each jurisdiction makes its own character and fitness decisions.
How much is each section on the UBE worth, and what UBE total scaled score do I need to pass the exam in Illinois?
The two MPT sections will be worth 20% total, the MEE 30%, and the MBE 50%. A total UBE scaled score of 266 or higher is needed to pass.
Maybe. Foreign law degree applicants may apply to take the Illinois bar examination under Rule 715 with a minimum of five (5) of the past seven (7) years of previous practice.
Yes, provided the non-UBE jurisdiction accepts transferred MBE scores. Select a jurisdiction from the interactive map here to view its bar exam components and whether it accepts transferred MBE scores:
The NCBE performs UBE score services for all UBE jurisdictions. Visit the NCBE UBE Score Services page for detailed information: http://www.ncbex.org/ncbe-exam-score-services/ube-score-services/
You may transfer your UBE score to a UBE jurisdiction by requesting a UBE Offical Score Transcript. If you simply want to learn your UBE scores (after the testing jurisdiction has released exam results), request a UBE Unofficial Score Transcript. For either transcript, log in to your NCBE Account and go to Score Services to complete a UBE Score Transcript Services Request.
The fee for each score service transaction is $25, and no refunds are provided for any reason.
Illinois has a three deadline application process with different deadline dates and fees for different categories of applicant.
All attorneys must comply with the regulations for continuing legal education the rules vary depending on date of admission and prior practice.
The rules and all requirements for newly-admitted attorneys may be found here:
Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois information:
The UBE is a uniformly administered, graded, and scored bar examination that results in a portable score. The UBE tests knowledge of general principles of law, legal analysis and reasoning, factual analysis, and communication skills to determine readiness to enter legal practice in any jurisdiction. http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube
The UBE was adopted by the Illinois Supreme Court on June 8, 2018, and the first administration of the UBE will be the July 2019 examination. http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_VII/artVII.htm#Rule704A
Yes. Applications for those pursuing Illinois admission based on a transferred UBE score in another UBE jurisdiction will be accepted starting on or about January 1, 2019. See Rule 704A for all requirements for admission by transferred UBE score: http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_VII/artVII.htm#Rule704A
To transfer UBE scores to seek admission in another UBE jurisdiction, applicants must:
Be aware that you will not be eligible for admission prior to November 1, 2019 See Rule 704 A(e).
All attorneys in Illinois must comply with the regulations for continuing legal education. Depending upon the date of admission and number of years of practice, the rules vary. The continuing legal education rules for all Illinois attorneys may be found here:
Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois information:
Jurisdictions requirements range from live courses to online courses to open-book testing to post-admission courses or mentorships. Full information can be found here: http://www.ncbex.org/exams/ube/score-portability/local-components/
If the jurisdiction in which I took the bar exam administered the MEE, MPT and MBE prior to adopting the UBE, does my exam score subsequently qualify as a UBE score?
No. If the jurisdiction in which you tested had not adopted the UBE at the time you took the exam, you did not earn a UBE score. The UBE is more than the sum of its components. It is uniformly administered, graded, and scored by the jurisdictions that adopt it. The fact that a jurisdiction administered all three components does not qualify the score as a UBE score.
If I previously took the UBE but did not meet that state’s passing score, can I still transfer my UBE total scaled score to Illinois?
Yes, if it meets the total UBE score of 266, which is Illinois' passing standard and assuming all other admission requirements are met. http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_VII/artVII.htm#Rule704A
The score is earned on the Wednesday of the exam for which the UBE score is dated. For example, if an applicant sat for the UBE in New York in February 2019, for purposes of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 704A, the date the score was earned was Wednesday, February 27, 2019.
Select a jurisdiction from this interactive map to view its requirements for admission by transferred UBE score, then contact the bar admission agency in that jurisdiction for specific information.
Each applicant for admission to the bar by transferred UBE score under Rule 704A shall pay a fee of $1,500. http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_VII/artVII.htm#Rule706
I would like to transfer my UBE score to Illinois, but I did not graduate from an ABA accredited law school – am I eligible?
No. Graduates of foreign law schools may not transfer UBE scores to Illinois and do not qualify for Admission on Motion. Foreign law degree applicants may, however, apply to take the Illinois bar examination under Rule 715 with a minimum of five (5) of the past seven (7) years of previous practice.
I failed the Illinois bar examination in the past, but now have a UBE score from another jurisdiction that I would like to transfer to Illinois – am I eligible?
You may apply for admission by transferred UBE score even if you have previously failed the Illinois Bar Examination, provided you meet all of the requirements.
I passed the bar examination in another state more than four years ago so I understand that my UBE score is not transferable to Illinois. However, can I still transfer my Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) score to Illinois?
No. Beginning with the July 2022 exam, Illinois will no longer offer admission by examination with MBE transfer.
Once I have transferred my UBE score to Illinois and completed the character and fitness and all other requirements, how do I get my license?
After November 7, 2019, an applicant seeking admission in Illinois by transferred UBE score may receive a license once the Board of Admissions has certified to the Illinois Supreme Court that the applicant has achieved a passing score of at least 266 on the UBE, and meets the requirements of good moral character and fitness to practice law. See Illinois Supreme Court Rules 704(e) and 704A(e).
Phone hours are 8:30am till 4:00pm Central Time, Monday through Friday, except for state and national holidays.
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Phone (217) 522-5917
Fax (217) 522-3728, and (217) 522-9327
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