Florida MPRE Requirements
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE®) is a 2-hour, 60-multiple-choice question exam that assesses an examinee's knowledge of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Candidates must pass the MPRE before being admitted to the Florida Bar and can register through the NCBE.
Florida MPRE Minimum Passing Score
The Florida MPRE exam's minimum score is 80 on a scale from 50 to 150. Nationwide, MPRE minimum scores range from 75-86, putting Florida neatly in the middle. Eligibility for taking the MPRE is relatively flexible in Florida. For example, you can take the MPRE before you graduate from law school and before or after you pass the bar exam. However, you must pass the MPRE within 25 months of passing the Florida Bar Exam.
Like the bar exam, performance on the MPRE is measured on a scaled score. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NBCE®) does not publicize the calculations it uses to convert raw scores into scaled scores. However, we estimate that passing the Florida Bar Exam with a scaled score of 80 equates to a raw score of approximately 58%, or about 29 correct answers of the 50 that are graded.
Florida Bar Exam Scoring, Results and Pass Rates
The Florida Bar exam requires an average scaled score of 136 to pass. The final average scaled score is the sum of 50% of the MBE and 50% of the Florida essay/multiple choice exam. Therefore, a high score on one section of the exam can compensate for an unsavory score on the other.
Scaled scores are not to be confused with raw scores. For example, the essay portion of the exam is worth 300 points (100 points per essay), and the 100-question multiple choice section is worth 90 (10 questions are not graded). So, the highest raw score a person can get on the Florida Bar exam is 390 points.
So why scaled scores? You'll notice a difference if you have to retake the exam in February because you failed in July. It would be pretty easy to cheat if exam versions were identical. However, this creates an issue of fairness. What if February's exam is slightly more challenging than July's? Thus, exam administrators employ a statistical method called equating to remedy such disparities. Equating transforms raw scores into scaled scores by awarding bonuses to tougher exams and penalizing those that are easier.
Scaled scoring makes it difficult to predict exactly how many points you need to pass an exam, and the Florida Board of Bar Examiners doesn’t release its calculations. However, from past exams we estimate the examinees will need a raw score in the range of 260-280 to achieve an average scaled score of 136. Because there is no way of knowing the difficulty level of your exam, it’s best to aim for a minimum raw score of 280 on the Florida Bar Exam.
Florida Bar Exam Results
Florida Bar Exam Results are released in mid-April for the February exam and mid-September for the July exam. The Supreme Court of Florida posts pass/fail results to the Supreme Court of Florida website for 30 days, starting at noon after the morning they are released. For anonymity, results are attached to an examinee's applicant file number.
Once the Supreme Court has released the results, examinees can view them on their online portal page. Applicants without a portal account will receive pass/fail results by mail. You cannot request results over the phone, and the Florida Supreme Court does not release individual score rankings.
Florida Bar Exam Pass Rates
Note that in Florida, some examinees take only part A or part B. The data on total applicants below represents examinees who took both.
| Exam | Overall Pass Rate | First-Timer Pass Rate | Repeater Pass Rate | Results Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | 61% | 72% | 30% | September 18 |
| Feb 2023 | 39% | 55% | 26% | April 11 |
Here are the annual pass rates for the Florida Bar Exam since 2016, divided into first-time examinees and repeaters:
Florida Bar Exam FAQs
How much does it cost to retake the Florida Bar Exam?
You must re-register and pay a $450 reapplication fee.
How many times can I take the Florida Bar Exam?
You can take the Florida Bar Exam however many times you need to pass.
Can I transfer my Florida Bar Exam MBE score to another jurisdiction?
You can transfer your Florida MBE score to another jurisdiction. To do so, you have to electronically submit a request for MBE score services through your NCBE Account.
What if you are not transferring an MBE score but want to take the Florida Bar Exam for the first time?
Most law school graduates taking the Florida bar exam sit for both parts of the exam the first time. However, you may sit for the MBE in Florida and complete Part A during the next administration.
Does Florida offer reciprocity with other jurisdictions?
Florida doesn’t offer reciprocity with any other US jurisdiction. All applicants are required to submit an application to the Florida Bar Examination and complete a character and fitness investigation.
How hard is the Florida Bar Exam?
The Florida Bar exam is one of the hardest Bar exams according to its pass rates. While pass rate is not necessarily an indicator of objective difficulty, Florida is unique in the immense volume of tested subject matter.
What are the Florida Bar Exam application deadlines and fees?
Individuals filing a bar exam application in Florida for the first time must pay a fee of $1,000. Those who filed an application as a Law student registrant pay $600 (see details).
The deadlines for timely filing are November 15, 2023, and May 1, 2024, for the February and July 2024 exams, respectively. You will incur additional fees for filing past the timely filing deadline.
How long is the Bar Exam in Florida?
The Florida Bar exam lasts from 8 am – 5:15 pm over the course of two days. An hour-long lunch break divides the exam schedule into 2 sessions, each with 15 minutes for exam room entry, 15 minutes for test instructions, and 3 testing hours.
Can Anyone Take the Bar Exam in Florida?
To take The Florida Bar Exam, you must have a JD degree or pursue one at an ABA-accredited law school. Alternatively, you could qualify with an LLM degree from a program that meets the board’s Curricular Criteria or has been practicing law for at least 5 years.
How long does it take to study for the Florida Bar Exam?
We recommend dedicating 400 study hours to the FL Bar Exam. Most students begin studying 8-10 prior to their exam’s administration. However, starting sooner may aid retention and decrease burnout, so we recommend starting as early as 4-6 months out if possible, especially if you work full-time.
Can I transfer my MBE score to Florida?
You can transfer your MBE score to Florida if your score meets or exceeds the Florida minimum passing score of 136 and was earned within 25 months of passing Part A of the General Bar Examination and the MPRE or within 25 months of the date you will take those exam components. The transfer process depends on the state in which you took the bar exam. Check the NCBE’s MBE Score Services for details. If you’ve taken the bar in a state that does not transfer scores via the NCBE, you’ll have to fill out Florida’s MBE Score Transfer Form.
How Often Is the Florida Bar Exam Offered?
The Florida Bar Exam is offered biannually, once in February and once in July.
How Do I Become a Licensed Attorney in Florida?
Becoming a licensed attorney in Florida includes earning a bachelor’s degree, taking the LSAT, earning a JD, and passing the Florida State Bar Exam and MBRE within 25 months of each other.
Can You Practice Law without a Law Degree in Florida?
No, you cannot practice law without a law degree in Florida. Only California, Vermont, Virgina, and Washington allow you apprenticeships over law school.
How to request special accommodations for the Florida Bar Exam?
To request special accommodations for the Florida Bar Exam you must submit a test accommodations petition. You can find detailed instructions on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners website.
References
Florida Bar of Examiners. Florida Board of Bar Examiners, https://www.floridabarexam.org/
The Supreme Court of Florida. Florida Bar Exam Results Comparisons, https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/Bar-Scores/Florida-Bar-Exam-Results-Comparisons/.
Florida Exam Dates and Locations Reference: Florida Board of Examiners
