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 (see table below).
- Are accompanied by a qualifying MPRE score earned no later than one year after the UBE.
October 2020 bar examinees: Scores earned through the October 2020 remote bar exam are not Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) scores and are not transferrable for admission in New Mexico.
If you did not receive a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, see Information for Non-ABA Applicants.
To apply for admission on the basis of a transferred UBE score, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
Step 1: Read the Following Documents
Step 2: Gather and Complete the Forms for Your Application Packet
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New Mexico UBE Transfer Cover Sheet & Application Instructions
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NCBE Acknowledgment Page (found in the Character and Fitness Application)
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NCBE Authorization and Release Form (found in the Character and Fitness Application)
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Certificate(s) of Good Standing and Disciplinary Board Letter(s) from any state in which you are already licensed
Step 3: Prepare Your Application Fee
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This may be paid by check, money order, or by completing a Credit Card Payment Authorization Form
Step 4: Request Other Documents
The following documents must be requested by you and sent directly to our office by the issuing entity:
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Law School Transcript with Evidence of Graduation
Step 5: Make Copies of All Documents from Steps 2 and 3
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This is for your records. Originals must be sent in your application packet.
Step 6: Mail Your Application
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All documents from Steps 2 and 3 must be sent as a single packet (incomplete packets will be automatically rejected) to:
New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners
Attn: UBE Transfer
2440 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 280
Albuquerque, NM 87110
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We recommend getting a tracking number for your packet as we cannot answer questions about whether materials have arrived.
If You Earned Your Score In… |
Your Application Deadline is: |
February 2018 |
February 28, 2021 |
July 2018 |
July 25, 2021 |
February 2019 |
February 27, 2022 |
July 2019 |
July 25, 2022 |
February 2020 |
February 26, 2023 |
>September 2020 |
September 10, 2023 |
February 2021 |
February 24, 2024 |
July 2021 |
July 28, 2024 |
These dates are when the application must be in our hands, they are NOT postmark deadlines.
Step 7: Make Your Application Process as Efficient as Possible
Applications can take more than six months for investigation and review, but there are things you can do to keep the process moving as efficiently as possible:
- Make sure your application packet is complete before you send it.
- Get a tracking number for your packet.
- Make sure you give us the best possible contact method for employers and references.
- Speak with employers and references so they know to be on the lookout for the investigator’s call or email and know what to expect.
- Respond quickly if the NMBBE or NCBE send you follow-up correspondence.
Step 8: Class in New Mexico Law
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This day-long, required class is scheduled for the Thursday immediately following the administration of the bar exam; you will be registered automatically upon receipt of your complete application. Find upcoming dates here.
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.
- Alabama (260 required score)
- Alaska (280)
- Arizona (273)
- Arkansas (270)
- Colorado (276)
- Connecticut (266)
- District of Columbia (266)
- Idaho (280)
- Illinois (266)
- Indiana (264)
- Iowa (266)
- Kansas (266)
- Kentucky (266)
- Maine (276)
- Maryland (266)
- Massachusetts (270)
- Michigan (TBD) – date TBD
- Minnesota (260)
- Missouri (260)
- Montana (266)
- Nebraska (270)
- New Hampshire (270)
- New Jersey (266)
- New Mexico (260)
- New York (266)
- North Carolina (270)
- North Dakota (260)
- Ohio (270)
- Oklahoma (264)
- Oregon (270)
- Pennsylvania (272) – July 2022
- Rhode Island (276)
- South Carolina (266)
- Tennessee (270)
- Texas (270)
- Utah (270)
- Vermont (270)
- Washington (270)
- West Virginia (270)
- Wyoming (270)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (266)