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California Bar Exam and MPRE: 5. Bar Exam Fees

This California Bar Exam guide provides an overview of steps law students can take to prepare for the California Bar Exam and the MPRE. Information regarding deadlines, topics covered on the California Bar Exam, and other helpful resources are provided.

Helpful Information

Estimated Fees for the California Bar Exam and MPRE

The following table provides estimates for the fees associated with applying for and taking the California Bar Exam as of August 2017.  Please note the regular deadlines listed in the table.*

*Deadlines and pricing may have changed due to COVID-19.

Description  Deadline Regular Fee Late Fee

Application for Registration with the California Bar
Note: Registration with the State Bar is not the same as registering for the California Bar Exam. Registration with the Bar is required prior to:
1) obtaining certification to practice as a law student (required for many UCLA Law clinics); 2) submitting the application for moral character; or 3) submitting the application to take the bar exam.

 The State Bar advises students to register within 90 days of matriculation in law school. $119 None

MPRE Registration
Test Offered in: 

  • March 
  • August 
  • November
 Regular Registration Deadlines
  • January for March Exam
  • June for August Exam
  • September for November Exam
 $125.00

Late Registration Deadline ($220 fee)

  • January/February for March Exam
  • June for August Exam
  • September for November Exam

Application for Moral Character Determination

 The application is good for three (3) years.  Students should plan to complete it in the Fall of their third year. $551.00

Live Scan Fingerprinting

UCLA Law students will receive information about fingerprinting services offered at the law school from Student Services.

 Within 90 days of submission of Moral Character application. Varies (often in the $70-$80 range)

If the Moral Character application is submitted more than 90 days after the fingerprints were taken, students must pay to have the prints re-taken.

Passport-Type Photograph

A passport-type photograph is required of all MPRE examinees.

 At some point before the MPRE (you must bring it with you to the exam). Varies None

Application to take the Bar Exam
Registration typically opens in November for the February bar exam, and in March for the July bar exam.  Some popular examination sites, such as San Diego, fill quickly.  Applicants are encouraged to register early to ensure spots in their preferred testing locations.

 Please see registration deadlines on the State Bar website. $850.00
  • Late fee of $50 if filed between the first and last business days of April for the July bar exam (or between the first and last business days of November for the February bar exam).
  • Late fee of $250 if filed between the last business day of April and the final filing deadline for the July bar exam (or between the last business day of November and the final filing deadline for the February bar exam).

Laptop Fee

 Due at the same time as the bar exam application. $153.00 Late fee of $15 applies if filed after the regular filing deadline.

Bar Review Course
Cost will vary depending on which provider you select.  See our page on Commercial Bar Review Courses for more detailed information.

 Varies Varies Varies

Additional Expenses 
You may need to set aside funds to cover living expenses during the summer and hotel costs if you want to stay at a hotel near the test center during the bar exam.  Rate information for hotels near test centers is available on the State Bar website.  Please note that hotels have cut-off dates for reserving rooms at these special rates.

 Varies Varies Higher room rates may apply after a certain date.  Contact hotels for the cut-off dates for special rates.
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