Maine Attorneys’ Exam
Rule 10(e) of the Maine Bar Admission Rules allows attorneys to take a modified bar exam. There are two different modified bar exams. First, attorneys may elect to take only the first day of the Maine Bar Exam if they were originally admitted by bar exam in another jurisdiction and have been engaged in the active practice of law for at least three of the preceding five years. The first day of the Maine bar exam does not include the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE” ). Second, and in the alternative, attorneys may elect to take only the first day of the Maine bar exam and may use their prior MBE score if they have taken the MBE within 61 months (5 years) of the current administration of the Maine bar exam.
Attorneys qualifying for either modified bar exam may elect to take the current MBE, use their prior MBE score, or take the MBE and use the higher of the newly achieved score or the prior score. In addition, if the attorney achieved an MBE score of 155 or better on an exam which the attorney passed, the attorney may elect to take only the first two questions on the Maine bar exam. The first two questions cover one or more of the following: Maine’s Code of Professional Responsibility, Maine’s Rules of Evidence, and Maine’s Rules of Civil Procedure, Appellate Procedure, and Criminal Procedure.
Attorneys may choose to take additional portions of the Maine bar exam beyond which they are required to take as part of the Maine Attorneys’ Exam. Maine will calculate the score using both the required and additional portions of the exam and use the higher score achieved.
Additional Requirements
Maine’s additional Attorneys’ Exam requirements include:
Character and Fitness. Attorneys must meet the applicable character and fitness standards. The character and fitness report is conducted by the NCBE.
Good Standing and Prior Bar Exam. Attorneys must be in good standing.
MPRE. Attorneys must achieve a scaled score of 80 or greater on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE” ).
Maine Attorneys’ Exam Application Procedure
Attorneys eligible for the Maine Attorneys’ Exam are required to submit an Application.