NCBE Media Kit

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About NCBE

The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is a not-for-profit organization that develops licensing examinations and provides services that support bar admissions throughout the United States. Since 1931, NCBE has partnered with jurisdictions, legal educators, and the broader legal community in support of our vision of a competent, ethical, and diverse legal profession.

Fast Facts

  • Founded: 1931
  • Organization: Nonprofit
  • Headquarters: Madison, Wisconsin
  • Mission: Promote fairness, integrity, and best practices in admission to the legal profession for the benefit and protection of the public 
  • Develops the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) and the legacy UBE (through February 2028)
  • Develops the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)
  • Provides character and fitness investigation services, score services, research, and educational programming for jurisdictions and legal educators

Areas of Expertise

NCBE experts are available to speak with the media on topics including:

  • The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination
  • Bar admissions and licensure assessment
  • Testing validity, psychometrics, and score interpretation
  • National bar examination trends and statistics
  • Legal education and the future of lawyer licensure
  • Character and fitness investigations
  • Applicant services and the bar admissions process

Research & Data

NCBE conducts ongoing research to support the legal admissions community. The development of the NextGen UBE was informed by a multi-year national practice analysis, stakeholder engagement, and extensive research into the knowledge and skills newly licensed lawyers need in practice.

Visit our Research page to access:

  • Research reports
  • Practice analysis findings
  • Technical reports and research briefs

Publications

NCBE publishes resources that support jurisdictions, legal educators, applicants, and researchers, including:

News & Resources

Visit our News & Resources page for:

  • Press releases
  • Organizational announcements
  • Research updates
  • Publications
  • Educational resources

Media Resources

Visit our Media Resources page to download:

  • NCBE logos
  • Organization fact sheets
  • NextGen UBE graphics
  • Approved digital and print assets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NCBE?

 The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is a not-for-profit organization that develops licensing examinations and provides services that support bar admissions throughout the United States.

What is the relationship between NCBE and the jurisdictions?

Jurisdictions make their own bar admission decisions. NCBE develops licensing examinations and provides services, research, training, and operational support that jurisdictions use as part of their admissions processes.

What is the NextGen UBE?

The NextGen UBE is NCBE's new bar exam, designed to better assess the knowledge and skills newly licensed lawyers need in practice. The first administration took place in July 2026, with jurisdictions transitioning over time.

Does NCBE decide who is admitted to practice law?

No. Admission to the bar is determined by each jurisdiction's highest court or bar admission authority. NCBE develops examinations and provides related services that jurisdictions use as part of their admissions process.

Who can speak with the media?

NCBE can connect reporters with subject-matter experts on bar admissions, licensure assessment, psychometrics, research, the NextGen UBE, and other topics related to legal licensure.

Where can I find research, statistics, and media assets?

Visit the News & Resources, Research, and Media Resources pages, or contact the NCBE Communications team for assistance.