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ILLINOIS BOARD of ADMISSIONS to THE BAR

ILLINOIS BOARD of ADMISSIONS to THE BAR

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Illinois Bar Examination Religious Attire and Religious Items Policy


Religious Attire and Religious Items

The Board respects the sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of all applicants and will provide reasonable religious accommodations consistent with the security and administration of the bar examination.

Applicants may wear religious attire and religious head coverings during the examination, including, but not limited to, hijabs, yarmulkes, turbans, habits, and similar religious garments. Such items may be subject to a visual inspection by examination staff to ensure compliance with examination security procedures.

Except as approved as a reasonable religious accommodation in advance, applicants may not bring religious objects or devotional items into the testing room if those items are otherwise prohibited under the Board's examination security policies. This includes, but is not limited to, rosaries, prayer beads, religious texts, devotional books, and other similar items.

An applicant who believes that possession of a religious object during the examination is required as part of a sincerely held religious practice should contact the Board in advance of the examination to request a religious accommodation. Requests will be evaluated on an individualized basis, taking into account the applicant's religious needs and the Board's obligation to maintain the integrity, security, and orderly administration of the examination.


July 2026 Illinois Bar Examination


Notices of Eligibility (seat assignments) will be posted to the user homepages of all applicants eligible to take the July 2026 Illinois bar examination by end of day on July 14th. Applicants who do not receive Notices of Eligibility, and who have not formally withdrawn, are ineligible to take the bar examination for one or more reasons and should contact their assigned file analyst. Examinees are responsible for complying with all examination policies and procedures. Carefully review the Notice of Eligibility and examination instructions before exam day.

You may access the examination instructions using the link below:

UBE Examination Instructions

Please review the examination instructions in their entirety, as they contain important information and several updates to examination policies and procedures. The following changes are of particular importance:

  • Earplugs: Examinees are no longer permitted to bring their own earplugs into the test center. Foam earplugs will be provided upon request.
  • Photo Identification: Examinees must present a valid photo ID at the start of each test session (AM and PM). 

Nonstandard Testing: For applicants with nonstandard testing accommodations, Notices of Eligibility will advise how applicants can find test site information, individualized instructions, testing schedules, etc.


ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCES PASSING SCORE REQUIREMENT FOR NEXTGEN UNIFORM BAR EXAMINATION


The Illinois Supreme Court announced in December 2025 that Illinois will accept transferred scores from the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE), a new version of the bar examination, beginning in July 2026. In an order issued today, the Court announces that the passing score recognized by Illinois for the NextGen UBE shall be 620. This will be the minimum passing score for purposes of admission to the Illinois bar, including transferred scores accepted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 704A.

The full order can be found here: Order

The Board of Admissions reviewed the research, standard-setting materials, concordance studies, and guidance provided by the National Conference of Bar Examiners regarding the NextGen UBE and submitted its recommendation to the Court. The Board of Admissions may propose further amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Board’s Rules of Procedure as necessary to implement this order and may revise its operation procedures, forms, and applicant instructions accordingly.

As previously announced, Illinois will first administer the NextGen UBE in February 2028, and until that time, will continue to administer the current version of the Uniform Bar Examination, known as the Legacy Uniform Bar Examination.

NextGen exams are administered over nine hours in a day and a half. It will test students on a range of legal principles including contract and constitutional law, civil procedure and criminal law, evidence, real property, torts, family law, and business associations. The exam focuses on skills used by lawyers such as identifying and analyzing legal issues, negotiation and dispute resolution, and legal research and writing, as well as advising and counseling clients.

The Illinois Supreme Court oversees the admission and regulation of attorneys in Illinois. The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar administers the bar exam and processes applications for admission to the practice of law.


ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS WILL ACCEPT TRANSFERRED SCORES FROM THE JULY 2026 NEXTGEN UNIFORM BAR EXAMINATION


The Illinois Supreme Court has approved a new order affirming its intention to accept transferred NextGen UBE scores in a timely manner, beginning with the July 2026 NextGen UBE.

Further information will be forthcoming once the Board submits a recommendation for establishing a passing score on the NextGen UBE.

A copy of the Court’s Order and accompanying press release can be found below:

Release

Order


Email Scam Targeting State Bar Associations and Legal Professionals


June 25, 2025 - An active email phishing campaign is currently targeting several state bar associations as well as their licensees across the country, including Alabama, Arizona, Oregon, Utah and Montana. While we have not yet confirmed any direct targeting of IBAB, we are proactively scanning for indicators and taking precautionary steps.

What to Watch For:

The fraudulent emails are impersonating state bar executives or state bar IT staff using their real names and titles and are designed to appear legitimate. Common traits include the following:

  • Sender Spoofing: Emails may come from addresses like john.doe@ilbaradmissions.org.virumail.com. Note: Legitimate IBAB staff email addresses end with @ILBarAdmissions.org.
  • Vague or misleading language: Often referencing secure communication or document requests.
  • Urgent tone: Designed to prompt immediate action without proper verification.

Example Scam Message:

“As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the confidentiality and security of sensitive information, we are reaching out to confirm your preference for secure communication…”

What You Should Do:

  • Do not reply, click on or open any suspicious links or attachments.
  • Report the email to your organization's IT department immediately if you receive a message that seems off, even if it appears to come from a known IBAB email address.
  • Be extra cautious with emails referencing secure communications or urgent requests.

If you receive a suspicious email, please do not respond, click on any links or download any attachments. Report the suspicious email to your IT department or IBAB immediately for additional assistance.

Thank you for your attention and diligence in protecting your practice and our legal community.


Illinois Announces First Administration of NextGen Uniform Bar Exam For February 2028


Press Release - Illinois Announces First Administration of NextGen Uniform Bar Exam for February 2028

Admission by Transferred October 2020 Remote Examination Score


The last day to apply to transfer your October 2020 Remote Examination Score to Illinois is October 6, 2024. 


Notice of Temporary and Limited Waiver of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 715(b) for 2022-2024 Examinees


Recently, Board of Admissions staff have identified a situation in which Illinois Supreme Court Rule 715(b) had been applied inconsistently in the past with respect to whether graduates of foreign law schools were required to reestablish their qualifying experience in the practice of law each and every time those graduates applied to sit for the Illinois bar exam.  Going forward, Board of Admissions staff will consistently require such graduates to reestablish their qualifying practice experience each time they apply. However, because that interpretation may be contrary to the expectations of some applicants under Rule 715, the Board of Admissions wrote a letter to the Illinois Supreme Court requesting a temporary and limited accommodation to those Rule 715 applicants who may be expecting to sit for the bar exam in 2025 based on a past determination of eligibility under a different interpretation of Rule 715(b). In the letter, the Board of Admissions asked the Court to enter an order implementing a temporary waiver of strict compliance with the requirements of Rule 715(b) for graduates of foreign law schools who were previously deemed eligible under Rule 715 to sit for one or more bar examinations administered in Illinois in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and who sat for the examination in question.  On September 18, 2024, the Supreme Court entered the order as requested.

The order implements a temporary waiver of strict compliance with Rule 715(b), subject to the following terms and conditions: 

  1. The temporary waiver would apply only to “Eligible Applicants”; i.e., those who were deemed eligible under Rule 715 and sat for one or more administrations of the Illinois bar examination between February 2022 and July 2024.
  2. The temporary waiver would apply only for the purpose of determining an Eligible Applicant’s eligibility under Rule 715 to sit for one, but not both, administrations of the Illinois bar examination in February 2025 and July 2025; provided that, an Eligible Applicant who is deemed eligible to sit in for the February 2025 Illinois bar examination but who does not actually sit for the exam in February 2025 may receive the benefit of the temporary waiver in connection with the July 2025 administration.
  3. In applying the temporary waiver of Rule 715(b) to an Eligible Applicant, IBAB will not require the Eligible Applicant to reestablish compliance with the requirements of Rule 715(b) as of the date of application for the Illinois bar examination for which the Eligible Applicant is presently applying.  Instead, the Eligible Applicant may rely on IBAB’s previous determination of compliance with the requirements of Rule 715(b) in connection with an application for a prior administration of the Illinois bar examination during the years 2022-2024.
  4. For all other applicants under Rule 715, including Eligible Applicants for which the temporary waiver of Rule 715(b) is no longer available because the applicant sat for the February 2025 Illinois bar exam, the applicant’s compliance with the requirements of Rule 715(b) will be determined as of the date of application for the administration of the Illinois bar examination for which the applicant is presently applying.
  5. Except as provided above, an Eligible Applicant is required to comply with all requirements of Rule 715 and any other applicable Supreme Court Rule in order to be eligible to sit for the Illinois bar examination, including but not limited to the payment of all applicable fees. 

Applicants under Rule 715 who believe they qualify for the temporary waiver of strict compliance with Rule 715(b) and who wish to take advantage of the temporary waiver should follow the regular procedure for submitting a Rule 715 application.  Board of Admissions staff are aware of the Court’s September 18 order and will take that into account in determining an applicant’s eligibility under Rule 715.


Illinois Adopts the NextGen Bar Exam Beginning in 2028


Press Release - Illinois Adopts the NextGen Bar Exam Beginning in 2028

THE FINAL LATE FILING DEADLINE FOR THE BAR EXAM HAS BEEN CHANGED


Amended Rule 706

Rule 706. Filing Deadlines and Fees of Registrants and Applicants (a) Character and Fitness Registration. Character and fitness registration applications filed with applications to take the bar examination shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $450. (b) Applications to Take the Bar Examination.

The fees and deadlines for filing applications to take the February bar examination are as follows:

(1) $500 for applications submitted on or before the regular filing deadline of September 15 preceding the examination;

(2) $700 for applications submitted after September 15 but on or before the late filing deadline of November 1; and

(3) $1000 for applications submitted after November 1 but on or before the final late filing deadline of November 30 December 15.

The fees and deadlines for filing applications to take the July bar examination are as follows:

(1) $500 for applications submitted on or before the regular filing deadline of February 15 preceding the examination;

(2) $700 for applications submitted after February 15 but on or before the late filing deadline of April 1; and

(3) $1000 for applications submitted after April 1 but on or before the final late filing deadline of April 30 May 15.

(c) Applications for Reexamination. The fees and deadlines for filing applications for reexamination at a February bar examination are as follows:

(1) $500 for applications submitted on or before the regular reexamination filing deadline of November 1;

(2) $850 for applications submitted after November 1 but on or before the final late filing deadline of November 30 December 15.

The fee fees and deadline deadlines for filing applications for reexamination at a July bar examination are as follows:

$500 for applications submitted on or before April 30. the regular reexamination filing deadline of May 1;

(2)-$850 for applications submitted after May 1 but on or before the final late filing deadline of May 15.

(d) Late Applications. The Board of Admissions to the Bar shall not consider requests for late filing of applications after the final bar examination filing deadlines set forth in the preceding subparagraphs (b) and (c).


FEE INCREASE FOR THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS


Effective January 1, 2023, the application fee for Admission on Motion under Rule 705 has been increased to $1,500.

 

Effective January 1, 2023, the application fee for Limited Admission of House Counsel under Rule 716 has been increased to $1,500.

 

Effective January 1, 2023, the application fee for Admission by Transferred UBE Score under Rule 704A has been increased to $1,500.


Statement on Diversity and Inclusion


The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive legal profession. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory atmosphere and to provide equal opportunity for admission into the legal profession in the state of Illinois.  We respect and value individuals' life experiences, heritages, and voices. 


Admission by Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) Transfer


Please be aware that beginning with the July 2022 bar examination, Illinois will no longer offer applicants the option of transferring a qualifying Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) score and then sitting for the first-day written portion of the bar examination.  The only examination offered for the July 2022 examination, and any subsequent examination, will be the two-day Uniform Bar Examination as defined in Illinois Supreme Court Rule 704. 


Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711(g)


 

Please be aware that the Illinois Supreme Court has amended Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711(g).  Below is the link to the amended Rule.

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Resources/71322647-b454-4b94-a2c1-2db33cd0af3c/070220.pdf