Iowa Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE” ) is an ethics exam administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (“NCBE” ) and not by the state of Iowa. The MPRE is administered separately from the Iowa bar exam and is generally tested three times each year in March, August, and November.
Please visit the Ethics Exam/MPRE page for general information about the MPRE and the MPRE application process.
MPRE for Iowa
Iowa requires an MPRE scaled score of 80 or greater. Iowa accepts MPRE scores for three years from the date of the MPRE exam when the score was achieved.
The MPRE score must be filed with the Office of Professional Regulation prior to the Iowa bar exam. MPRE scores must filed no later than April 1 preceding the July exam or November 1 preceding the February exam. If the applicant fails to obtain a score of 80 or greater prior to the bar application deadline, the applicant must submit a petition/letter requesting permission to submit a late MPRE score. The letter must be addressed to the Iowa Supreme Court but should be included with the Iowa bar exam application. The petition/letter should detail the applicant’s plans to obtain an MPRE score of 80 or greater.
There MPRE is not required for Iowa Admission on Motion.
Iowa MPRE Scoring Reciprocity/Transfer
Iowa accepts MPRE scaled scores that were achieved in another jurisdiction for three years.