Uniform Bar Exam Transfer

Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) scores earned outside of New Mexico may be transferred for admission to New Mexico so long as they:

  • Reflect a score of 260 or above.
  • Were earned within 36 months of the application date.

To meet the 36-month deadline, applications must be received no later than the following dates:

  • July 27, 2019 for a score earned during the July 2016 UBE.
  • February 22, 2020 for a score earned during the February 2017 UBE.
  • July 26, 2020 for a score earned during the July 2017 UBE.
  • February 28, 2021 for a score earned during the February 2018 UBE.
  • July 25, 2021 for a score earned during the July 2018 UBE.
  • February 27, 2022 for a score earned during the February 2019 UBE.
  • July 25, 2022 for a score earned during the July 2019 UBE.

All application deadlines are in-office and not postmark deadlines, and any incomplete application will be rejected. There is no filing deadline other than the 36-month requirement, and successful applicants may be sworn in throughout the year. Applicants should bear in mind that the application process can take longer than six months and plan accordingly. For the full requirements for admission under UBE Transfer, please review the New Mexico Rules Governing Admission [link]. If you did not receive a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, see Information for Non-ABA Applicants [link].

 

Process and Forms

Before beginning your application, you must read the following:

The following items must be submitted in a single application packet:

  1. New Mexico UBE Transfer Cover Sheet & Application Instructions [pdf]
  2. Application Fee (paid by check/money order or Credit Card Authorization Form [pdf])
  3. Character and Fitness Application [link]
  4. NCBE Acknowledgement Page (found in the Character and Fitness Application documents)
  5. NCBE Authorization and Release Form (found in the Character and Fitness Application documents)
  6. NMBBE Authorization and Release Form [pdf]
  7. Certificate(s) of Good Standing and Disciplinary Board Letter(s) from any state in which you are already licensed
  8. Current credit report [link]
  9. Character and Fitness Statement [pdf]
  10. Statistical Data Form [pdf]

Please keep copies of all documents that you submit to our office. To receive a copy of your submitted materials, you must request a copy of your file [link].

The following items must be requested by the applicant and sent directly to the NMBBE by the issuing entity:

Unable to fill in PDFs on your computer? Download the latest version of Adobe Reader here [link].

Application materials must be mailed to:

New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners
Attn: UBE Transfer
2440 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 280
Albuquerque, NM 87110

Please note that our deadlines are in-office, and not postmark deadlines. Incomplete applications will be rejected. You are strongly recommended to mail your application materials with tracking, as our staff cannot answer questions about whether materials have arrived in our office.

Prior to admission:

All applicants for admission to New Mexico must take the required class in New Mexico law prior to admission. UBE transfer applicants may take this class at any time after submitting the application packet. For a list of class dates and to register, click here [link].

Following admission:

All attorneys sworn in to practice law in New Mexico must submit, within 30 days of licensure, the New Lawyer Application/Deferment/Exemption form through the New Mexico State Bar. Please see this page for more information [link].

UBE Participating Jurisdictions

For more information on transferring a UBE score from New Mexico to another UBE jurisdiction, visit the website of the state or territory to which you will transfer (linked below) and that of the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Some states may accept UBE transfer scores prior to their date of first administration of the exam.