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 Virginia. The MPRE is administered separately from the Virginia 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 Virginia
Virginia requires an MPRE scaled score of 85 or greater before being licensed. Applicants must achieve the MPRE score during the same calendar year in which the applicant passed the Virginia bar exam, within two calendar years immediately prior to passing the Virginia bar exam, or two calendar years immediately following the year in which the applicant passed the Virginia bar exam. (Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, Section I(4)).
There is no MPRE requirement for Virginia Admission on Motion.
Virginia MPRE Scoring Reciprocity/Transfer
Virginia accepts MPRE scaled scores that were achieved in another jurisdiction. Applicants that have not had their scores sent to Virginia must request a Score Report be sent to Virginia.
Applicants that have their MPRE scores sent to Virginia should make sure their social security number on the Score Report is accurate. This is how the Board matches the MPRE scores with the applicant. If the social security number is incorrect on the applicant’s copy of the Score Report, the applicant should make a copy of the report with the appropriate correction to the social security number and attach it to the application.