Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, or MPRE, is assembled and administered by ACT, Inc., on behalf of the NCBE (National Conference of Bar Examiners). Based on new test specifications, the MPRE is based on the law governing the conduct of lawyers. More importantly this test focuses on the disciplinary rules of professional conduct that are currently written and is available in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the ABA Code of Judicial Conduct. The MPRE also tests examinee’s on controlling constitutional decisions and generally accepted principles established in leading state and federal cases, and in procedural and evidentiary rules.
The main goal of this exam is to measure your knowledge and understanding of established standards related to an attorney’s professional conduct, not your individual personal ethical values. The MPRE consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, followed by 10 Test Center Review items that request the examinee’s reactions to the testing conditions. Test takers are given a total of two hours and five minutes to complete the MPRE.
MPRE Test Subjects
There are several different items covered in the MPRE. As mentioned before, many of these items are thoroughly explained in the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC) and the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Items to pay particular attention to when reviewing the material should be:
- Judicial ethics
- Discipline of lawyers by state disciplinary authorities
- Understanding of general rules, principles, and common law regulating the legal profession
- Professional responsibility in procedural and/or evidentiary issues
As a general rule, local statutes or rules of court are not tested in the MPRE. However, a specific test question may include the test of a local statute or rule that must be considered when answering.
Preparing for the MPRE
The following items are recommended for use when studying to take the MPRE:
- ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct
- ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
- Federal Rules of Evidence
Utilizing these items can benefit an examinee greatly when preparing for this test, as almost all test items refer to the rules, codes, and procedures listed within the content.
Cost of the MPRE
The National Conference of Bar Examiners receives all payments for taking the MPRE. They do not accept cash and all fees are non-refundable. You can register for the exam either by mail or online. Those who choose to mail in their exam fees must pay in the form of a personal or business check, cashier’s check, money order or certified check, while making it payable to the “National Conference of Bar Examiners.” Online registrations must be paid with either a MasterCard or Visa credit card, no exceptions. Applications that are received on or before the regular deadline are $63, and for applications that are late, a $126 fee is charged.
Worldwide Jurisdictions Using the MPRE
The following list consists of all jurisdictions who administer the MPRE as part of their bar examination.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- D.C.
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Is.
- Palau
- Virgin Islands
