The Oregon bar exam consists of 3 components:

1. the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) – 50% of overall score
2. the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) – 12.5% of overall score
3. Nine (9) Essays* – 37.5% of overall score.  

* Please note that the Oregon Supreme Court has authorized the use of the Multi-State Essay Exam (MEE) questions on the Oregon Bar Exam beginning with the February 2010 exam.  The Court has authorized the use of up to three (3) MEE questions, with the remainder to be drafter locally. All questions are graded locally and drawn from the same topic list, regardless of whether they are MEE or locally-drafted questions. The essay topics are selected from the areas of law listed in rule 5.15(2) of the Rules for Admission. The Oregon Supreme Court promulgates the Rules for Admission

Bar exam applicants must obtain a scaled score of 85 or higher on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in addition to passing the Oregon bar exam. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that they possess good moral character and are fit to practice law. ORS 9.220. The burden is on the applicant to establish good moral character. Exam dates for the MPRE are:

Friday, August 7, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009

Applicants must pass the MPRE within two years of passing the Oregon bar exam. The Oregon Board of Bar Examiners does not administer the MPRE, more information is available here.

The MPRE practice exam is now available through the National Conference of Bar Examiner's website

Some lawyers may be admitted without taking the bar examination. These alternate routes to admission include: (a) Reciprocity, (b) House Counsel, (c) Law teacher and (d) Foreign law consultant. Each of these alternate routes has specific requirements which must be satisfied. Applicants are encouraged to review these rules carefully. Applicants for admission via an alternate route must still demonstrate good moral character pursuant to ORS 9.220.

Additional Requirements for Reciprocity Admission

Alternative Admittance Application Information and Instructions

Obtain a Reciprocity Application Kit Request

Jon Benson
Executive Director
Oregon State Board of Bar Examiners
jbenson@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 419

Charles Schulz
Admissions Coordinator
cschulz@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 310

Jane Brown
Admissions Assistant
jbrown@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 311

Lisa Oreskovich
Admissions Assistant
loreskovich@osbar.org, (503) 620-0222 ext. 316