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 Illinois. The MPRE is administered separately from the Illinois 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 Illinois
Illinois requires an MPRE scaled score of 80 or greater before the applicant can be recommended for admission. Applicants must have earned the lesser of 60 credit hours or two-thirds of the credit hours before taking the MPRE. For most applicants, this means the MPRE cannot be taken sooner than the August preceding the final year of law school. No exceptions are made for this requirement. Applicants are not required to take the MPRE before the bar exam.
Attorneys seeking Illinois Admission on Motion must pass the MPRE in Illinois or in any jurisdiction where the test was administered.
Illinois MPRE Scoring Reciprocity/Transfer
Illinois accepts MPRE scaled scores that were achieved in another jurisdiction. Scores must be sent through the NCBE.