The UBE Transfer Application is the request you file to move a passing Uniform Bar Exam score you earned in one state to a different UBE state so you can get admitted to practice law there without sitting for the bar exam again. You file two linked things: a UBE Score Services request through the National Conference of Bar Examiners, and a separate Application for Admission by Transferred UBE Score with the bar admission agency in the state you want to join.
Here is the part most people miss. Your score does not live with the state where you took the test. It lives with NCBE, and only NCBE can send an official UBE score transcript to your new state. More than 40 jurisdictions now accept transferred UBE scores, and each one sets its own passing cutoff and its own expiration clock, so a score that works in one state can be useless in another. This guide walks you through every field, fee, and deadline so your transfer does not stall.
- 🧭 How the NCBE score transfer and the state admission application fit together so you file in the right order.
- 📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every field on both the NCBE transcript request and the state transfer application.
- 💡 Three full filled-out examples following real applicants from start to finish.
- ⏰ The exact score-expiration windows and passing-score cutoffs that quietly disqualify people.
- ⚠️ The most common field-level mistakes and the direct consequence of each one.
What the UBE Transfer Application Is and Who Must File It
The UBE Transfer Application is how a person who already passed the Uniform Bar Exam in one state asks a second state to admit them based on that same score. The Uniform Bar Exam is one standardized test made of the Multistate Bar Exam, the Multistate Essay Exam, and the Multistate Performance Test. Because the test is identical across jurisdictions, your numerical score is portable, which means it can travel to any other UBE state through NCBE Score Services.
Two groups file this application most often. The first is a recent law graduate who passed the bar in one state but landed a job in another, or who simply wants to be licensed in more than one place. The second is a working attorney who is relocating and wants to practice in their new home state. Both groups follow the same core path, though attorneys often pair the transfer with an application for admission on motion if they have enough years of practice.
You must file if you want a UBE state to recognize a score you earned somewhere else. NCBE handles the transfer of the score itself, but it does not admit you. As NCBE states, all requests to send scores to another jurisdiction must go to NCBE and not to the testing state, and each state still controls its own admission decision. Skipping the state application and only paying NCBE is a frequent error that leaves applicants thinking they are done when they have not even started the admission review.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filing without your paperwork ready is the fastest way to trigger a hold. The bar admission process cross-checks names, dates, and education against outside records, so a single missing item can pause everything. Gather these before you open either application.
- Your NCBE Account login. You created this when you registered for the bar exam, and the transfer request lives inside it; without it you cannot order a transcript.
- Your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. Agencies match your name against records, and a mismatch can delay your file.
- Your NCBE Number. This unique ID ties all your scores together, and using the wrong one can route your transcript to the wrong record.
- The exact jurisdiction and administration date of the UBE you passed. NCBE releases scores by sitting, so the wrong date returns no transcript.
- Your scaled UBE score. You need it to confirm you meet the target state’s cutoff before you pay any fee, because fees are non-refundable.
- Your law school transcript. The state uses it to verify you meet the educational requirement, and a missing transcript stalls eligibility review.
- Your MPRE score information. Most states require a passing MPRE, and the date matters because MPRE scores expire.
- A valid credit card. NCBE accepts only MasterCard or Visa for online payment, and an unsupported card stops the request cold.
- Your character and fitness history. States ask for residences, employment, and any disciplinary or criminal history, and gaps create follow-up questions.
- The target state’s filing deadline. Scores expire on a state-by-state clock, so knowing your window keeps you from paying for a dead score.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
There is no single PDF to print. The UBE transfer lives in two online portals, and you will use both. The score transfer itself runs through your NCBE Account, and the admission application runs through the bar admission agency in the state you want to join.
To start the NCBE side, log into your NCBE Account, select Score Services, and choose the UBE Score Transcript Request Form. You cannot submit this request until after the date of the exam in which the score was earned, and NCBE cannot release a score until the testing state has announced results and authorized release. This is why ordering a transcript the day after you test does nothing until scores post.
To start the state side, go to the bar admission agency for your target state and open its transferred-score application. In New York, for example, applicants create a BOLE Account and click UBE Score Transfer in the Applicant Services Portal to reach the Application for Admission by Transferred UBE Score. Other states use their own portals, such as the Washington State Bar or the Indiana Board of Law Examiners, but the structure is similar everywhere. Always confirm you are on the official agency page and not a third-party look-alike, because a wrong site can cost you fees with no result.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the UBE Transfer Application Line by Line
The transfer has two parts. Part A is the NCBE UBE Score Transcript Request, which sends your official score. Part B is the state Application for Admission by Transferred UBE Score, which uses New York’s well-documented form as the model. Complete Part A and Part B in parallel, but do not pay for either until you confirm your score meets the target state’s cutoff.
Part A, Field 1: NCBE Account Login and Identity Confirmation
This field asks you to sign in and confirm you are the person who owns the score. You log into your NCBE Account with the email and password you used to register for the bar exam, then confirm your displayed legal name and NCBE Number. Daniel R. Okafor signs in and sees his name and NCBE Number NCBE 8842157 shown at the top of the request screen.
A common edge case is having two NCBE accounts because you registered with two different emails over the years. If you see no scores, you are likely logged into the wrong account, and you should recover the original rather than create a new one. The most common mistake here is creating a duplicate account, which splits your records and returns an empty transcript. A frequent misconception is that NCBE can merge accounts instantly on request, when in fact merges take time and can miss your filing window.
Part A, Field 2: Select the Score to Transfer
This field asks which UBE administration you want sent. You pick the exact jurisdiction and administration date of the exam you passed from a dropdown of your records. Daniel selects Illinois — July 2025 because that is where and when he sat for the UBE.
The edge case appears when you have taken the UBE more than once. You must select the single sitting that produced your passing score, because a score must be earned in one administration in one jurisdiction to be transferable, as the Alabama bar explains. The common mistake is selecting the wrong sitting, which sends a failing or lower score that the new state will reject. A widespread misconception is that you can average or combine scores across sittings, which no UBE state allows.
Part A, Field 3: Choose the Destination Jurisdiction
This field asks where your score should go. You select the receiving state from the list of UBE jurisdictions, and you may add more than one destination if you are applying to several states. Daniel selects New York as his destination because that is where his new firm is located.
An edge case is wanting to transfer to a non-UBE state, which is not possible through this service because only UBE jurisdictions accept transferred UBE scores. The common mistake is selecting the wrong state from a long dropdown, which sends your transcript to a bar you never intended to join and forces a second paid request. A misconception is that one request covers all states at once; each destination is a separate transaction with its own fee.
Part A, Field 4: Pay the NCBE Score Transcript Fee
This field collects payment for the transfer. NCBE charges a fee for each score service transaction, and you pay online by MasterCard or Visa. Daniel enters his Visa details and pays the per-transcript fee, then prints the confirmation page for his records.
The edge case is paying by check, which is allowed but must be mailed with a printed confirmation page and can sharply delay processing. The most damaging mistake is assuming you can get the money back if you make an error, because NCBE issues no refunds for any reason. The misconception many hold is that the NCBE fee also covers the state application fee, when the two are entirely separate charges paid to two different organizations.
Part B, Field 1: Personal Information on the State Application
This field asks for your full legal name, date of birth, and contact details on the state’s Application for Admission by Transferred UBE Score. You enter your name exactly as it appears on your government ID, your date of birth in the format the portal shows, and a reliable email. Daniel enters Okafor, Daniel Robert, DOB 04/22/1998, and his personal email rather than his old school address.
The edge case is a recent name change from marriage or court order, which means you should enter your current legal name and be ready to upload the supporting document. The common mistake is entering a nickname or maiden name that does not match your transcript, which triggers an identity hold. A misconception is that a school email is fine; many graduates lose access after graduation and miss the Board’s emailed determination.
Part B, Field 2: Basis of Eligibility
This field asks which rule makes you eligible, usually tied to your legal education. In New York you select the section that matches your path, such as Section 520.3 for a JD from an ABA-approved U.S. law school, because the fee depends on it. Daniel selects Section 520.3 because he holds a JD from an ABA-approved school.
The edge case is a foreign-educated applicant, who must request an advance evaluation under Rule 520.6 and should not file until the Board confirms eligibility, often six months ahead. The common mistake is picking the wrong basis, which sets the wrong fee and delays review. A misconception is that any law degree qualifies the same way, when foreign and non-ABA paths face extra documentation and a higher fee.
Part B, Field 3: Enter Your UBE Score and Testing Jurisdiction
This field asks for the score you are transferring and where you earned it. You enter your scaled score and the state and date of the sitting, and you confirm it meets the target state’s minimum. Daniel enters 272, Illinois, July 2025, which clears New York’s required 266.
The edge case is a score that passes in your testing state but falls below your destination’s cutoff, since cutoffs vary; New York requires 266, while Indiana requires 264 and other states sit higher. The common mistake is assuming a pass anywhere means a pass everywhere, which leads people to file with a score the new state rejects. A misconception is that the state pulls your score for you; you still must order the official transcript from NCBE separately.
Part B, Field 4: Education and Curriculum Questions
This field asks detailed questions about your law school and coursework. You answer using your law school transcript and the official instructions the Board provides for completing curriculum questions. Daniel uses his transcript to confirm credit hours and answer each curriculum question accurately.
The edge case is transfer credits or a joint-degree program, which can complicate how you report hours and may need a note. The common mistake is guessing at credit details instead of reading them off the transcript, which creates conflicts when the school later certifies your record. A misconception is that the school’s certificate alone is enough; in New York the law school must mail the Certificate of Attendance directly to the Board, and copies sent by the applicant are not accepted.
Part B, Field 5: Character and Fitness Disclosures
This field asks about your background, including residences, employment, and any legal or disciplinary history. You answer every question honestly and in full, even minor matters, because the review weighs candor heavily. Daniel discloses a single dismissed traffic citation rather than leaving the question blank.
The edge case is a sealed or expunged record, which many states still require you to disclose for bar purposes even if hidden elsewhere. The most serious mistake is omitting something to look cleaner, because a later-discovered omission can be worse than the underlying issue and can block admission. A misconception is that small infractions are not worth mentioning, when failure to disclose is itself a fitness problem.
Part B, Field 6: Pay the State Application Fee and Submit
This field collects the state’s application fee and finalizes your submission. You pay the fee tied to your eligibility basis and submit; in New York that is $250 under Section 520.3 and $750 under Section 520.6 for foreign study. Daniel pays the $250 fee and submits, then saves his confirmation.
The edge case is needing the score transcript and education proofs to arrive before review begins, so submitting the form is only one piece. The common mistake is treating submission as completion, when the Board still needs your NCBE transcript, your law school certificate, and your other proofs before it issues a determination. A misconception is that payment guarantees admission, when payment only opens the review.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named applicants show how the transfer plays out for the most common situations. Each follows one person through both parts of the process.
Scenario 1: Daniel, recent grad moving for a job. Daniel passed the UBE in Illinois in July 2025 with a 272 and accepted an offer in New York.
| Form Section | What Daniel Enters |
|---|---|
| NCBE Account login | Signs in, confirms NCBE 8842157 |
| Score to transfer | Illinois — July 2025 |
| Destination jurisdiction | New York |
| NCBE fee payment | Visa, prints confirmation |
| State personal info | Okafor, Daniel Robert, 04/22/1998 |
| Basis of eligibility | Section 520.3 (ABA JD) |
| UBE score entered | 272 (clears 266) |
| State fee | $250, submits |
Scenario 2: Priya, attorney relocating cross-country. Priya passed in Colorado in February 2024 with a 281 and is moving to Washington, where a transferred score is accepted for up to 40 months.
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| NCBE Account login | Signs in, confirms her NCBE Number |
| Score to transfer | Colorado — February 2024 |
| Destination jurisdiction | Washington |
| NCBE fee payment | MasterCard, prints confirmation |
| State personal info | Sharma, Priya, current address |
| Basis of eligibility | ABA-approved JD |
| UBE score entered | 281 |
| Score-age check | Within 40-month window |
Scenario 3: Marcus, racing a score-expiration deadline. Marcus passed in Missouri in July 2023 and files for New York in early 2026, close to the three-year limit.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| NCBE Account login | Signs in, confirms identity |
| Score to transfer | Missouri — July 2023 |
| Destination jurisdiction | New York |
| NCBE fee payment | Visa, prints confirmation |
| State personal info | Lee, Marcus, personal email |
| Basis of eligibility | Section 520.3 |
| UBE score entered | 268 (clears 266) |
| Deadline note | Files 30+ days before three-year cutoff |
Beyond these three, picture Aisha, a foreign-educated lawyer who requests her Rule 520.6 evaluation six months early, and Janet, a Utah applicant who pays the higher attorney fee because she already has years of practice. Each name shows a different wrinkle in the same process.
How to File the Completed Form
You file the two parts through two channels, and each has its own steps. The NCBE transcript request is filed only online through your NCBE Account, while the state application is filed through that state’s portal.
For the NCBE side, submit the UBE Score Transcript Request Form inside your account and pay the per-transcript fee by MasterCard or Visa. If you must pay by check, mail it to NCBE with a printed confirmation page, and expect a delay. Keep the confirmation page as your proof of filing, because NCBE issues no refunds and you will want a record.
For the state side, file through the official portal, such as New York’s BOLE Applicant Services Portal. Pay the application fee that matches your eligibility basis, which in New York ranges from $250 to $750. After you submit, the Board waits for your NCBE transcript and supporting proofs, then issues a determination by email, and New York asks applicants to allow up to 30 days after it receives all required proofs. Save every confirmation and the determination email as your proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, the receiving state reviews your file and waits for your official UBE score transcript to arrive directly from NCBE. NCBE cannot release the score until the testing state has authorized it, so timing depends on when results posted. Once the transcript and your other proofs arrive, the Board evaluates your eligibility.
In New York, the Board reviews your documentation and emails a determination on whether your transferred-score application is approved. You then complete the remaining requirements, which include passing the MPRE, finishing the New York Law Course, and passing the New York Law Exam. Only after all of these does the Board certify you to the Appellate Division for admission.
Watch the final filing deadline closely. New York’s Rule 520.12(d)(1) requires you to file your complete application for admission with the Appellate Division within three years from the date you sat for the second day of the UBE. If you are near that limit, you must finish every step at once, and the Board asks that the transferred-score application be filed at least 30 days before your time runs out.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each field on this two-part filing is its own chance to slip. These are the errors that most often derail a transfer.
- Sending the request to the testing state instead of NCBE; the testing state cannot transfer your score and your request goes nowhere.
- Ordering a transcript before results post; NCBE cannot release a score until the testing state authorizes it, so nothing moves.
- Selecting the wrong administration date; you transfer a failing or lower score that the new state rejects.
- Picking the wrong destination state in the dropdown; your transcript lands at a bar you never meant to join and you pay again.
- Assuming your passing score works everywhere; cutoffs differ, so a pass in one state can fall below the new state’s minimum.
- Ignoring the score-expiration window; an expired score cannot be transferred no matter how high it was.
- Using a nickname or maiden name that does not match records; an identity mismatch puts your file on hold.
- Treating state submission as completion; the Board still needs your transcript, school certificate, and other proofs.
- Sending the law school certificate yourself; in New York the school must mail it directly or it is not accepted.
- Omitting a minor disciplinary or criminal matter; a discovered omission can be worse than the original issue.
- Expecting a refund after an error; NCBE refunds nothing, so a wrong entry costs you the full fee.
- Filing too close to the Appellate Division deadline; missing the three-year limit can void the entire effort.
Do’s and Don’ts
Small habits keep your transfer on track. These quick rules cover the moments where applicants most often go right or wrong.
Do:
- Confirm your score meets the target state’s cutoff before you pay, because fees are not refundable.
- Check the score-expiration window for your destination first, since each state sets its own clock.
- Use your full legal name everywhere, so your records match across NCBE and the state.
- Print and save every confirmation page, because they are your only proof of filing.
- Order the NCBE transcript and file the state application in parallel, to save weeks of waiting.
- Read the state’s instructions for curriculum and eligibility questions, so your answers match your transcript.
Don’t:
- Don’t create a second NCBE account, because it splits your records and returns an empty transcript.
- Don’t assume one request covers many states, since each destination is a separate paid transaction.
- Don’t guess at education or score details, because conflicts surface when the school certifies your record.
- Don’t hide minor background matters, since nondisclosure is itself a fitness problem.
- Don’t wait until the deadline, because the Board needs time to review before your window closes.
- Don’t pay the state fee expecting instant admission, since payment only opens the review.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most applicants file the transfer themselves, but some hire a bar admission consultant or lean on their firm’s professional staff, especially for foreign or non-ABA paths. The trade-offs come down to cost, complexity, and confidence.
Pros of filing on your own:
- You save money, since you avoid consultant fees on top of NCBE and state charges.
- You control the timeline and can act the moment your score posts.
- The online portals are built for self-service and walk you through each field.
- You learn your own record well, which helps with later character and fitness questions.
- A simple ABA-JD transfer rarely needs outside help.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You carry the risk of a wrong entry, and fees are non-refundable.
- Foreign and non-ABA eligibility rules are dense and easy to misread.
- You must track multiple deadlines across two organizations yourself.
- A missed proof, such as the school certificate, can stall you for weeks.
- You may not catch a disclosure issue that an experienced advisor would flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I send my UBE transfer request to the state where I took the exam?
No. You send it to NCBE through your online account, because NCBE holds your score and is the only body that can transfer an official transcript to another jurisdiction.
Do all states accept a transferred UBE score?
No. Only UBE jurisdictions accept transferred UBE scores, though all states that administer the UBE accept transfers, and each sets its own passing cutoff and rules.
Do I need a separate request for each state I want to join?
Yes. Each destination is its own transaction with its own NCBE fee, so transferring to three states means three separate requests and three fees.
Do I write my maiden name or current legal name on the application?
Yes, use your current legal name as it appears on your ID, and be ready to upload the court order or marriage document that supports any name change.
Do I enter the score I earned, even if it is below the new state’s cutoff?
No, do not file with a score that falls below the destination’s minimum, because the state will reject it; New York requires 266 and other states differ.
Do I pick the testing state or the sitting date in the score-selection field?
Yes, you select the exact jurisdiction and administration date of the sitting that produced your passing score, since scores must come from one administration.
Do I need to disclose a dismissed or sealed charge in the character section?
Yes, most states require disclosure for bar purposes even if the matter is dismissed or sealed, and omitting it can harm you more than the charge itself.
Do I get a refund if I make a mistake on the NCBE request?
No. NCBE issues no refunds for any reason, so confirm every entry before you pay the per-transcript fee.
Do UBE scores expire?
Yes. Each state sets its own maximum age, such as three years in New York and up to 40 months in Washington, and an expired score cannot be transferred.
Do I have to take the MPRE again when I transfer my score?
No, if your MPRE score is still valid in the new state, though you must meet that state’s passing MPRE score and its validity window.
Do I finish the process once the state approves my transferred score?
No. You still complete state-specific steps, which in New York include the New York Law Course, the New York Law Exam, and admission by the Appellate Division.
Do I pay the same state fee regardless of my law school path?
No. The fee depends on your eligibility basis; in New York an ABA-JD applicant pays $250 while a foreign-educated applicant pays $750.
Do I file the state application before or after I order the NCBE transcript?
Yes, file them in parallel; submit the state application and order the transcript around the same time so your proofs arrive together and review is not delayed.
Do I need my law school to send my certificate, or can I send it myself?
No, you cannot send it yourself in New York; the law school must mail the Certificate of Attendance directly to the Board or it will not be accepted.
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