The DC MPRE passing score is a scaled 75. The D.C. Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions applies that minimum to every applicant, no matter which route you take into the bar.1District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Committee on Admissions – General Information
Where the 75 Comes From
The requirement sits in D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 46, which governs admission to the DC Bar.2District of Columbia Courts. District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 46 – Admission to the Bar The rule requires that an applicant has taken the MPRE and received the minimum grade set by the Committee. The Committee has set that minimum at 75.
The MPRE is scored on a scaled range that runs from 50 to 150, so a 75 sits toward the lower end of the range. Compared to other jurisdictions, which can require as much as an 85 or 86, DC’s cutoff gives applicants more room. The scaling adjusts for small differences in difficulty between administrations, so a 75 reflects the same level of knowledge whether you tested in March or November.3National Conference of Bar Examiners. MPRE Scores
Every DC Admission Path Requires It
Rule 46 applies the same MPRE minimum across all three ways into the DC Bar:
- Admission by examination: a UBE score of at least 266 plus an MPRE score of at least 75.
- Admission by transferred UBE score: a transferred UBE score of 266 or higher, plus an MPRE score of at least 75.
- Admission by motion: qualifying practice experience in another jurisdiction, plus a passing MPRE score.
There is no waiver or exemption.4District of Columbia Courts. District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 46 – Admission to the Bar If you were admitted to another state’s bar before that state required the MPRE, you still need to sit for the MPRE and clear a 75 before DC will process your application. This catches some experienced attorneys off guard when they move into DC by motion.
How Long Your Score Stays Good
DC does not put an expiration date on MPRE scores. Neither Rule 46 nor the Committee on Admissions website sets a window within which the score must have been earned.4District of Columbia Courts. District of Columbia Court of Appeals Rule 46 – Admission to the Bar That stands apart from many jurisdictions, and it works in your favor if you passed years before applying.
The NCBE retains your scores and can still report them even after they drop out of view in your online account.5The Bar Examiner. Answering Questions About MPRE Score Services An old passing score is still a passing score for DC purposes.
Getting the Score to DC
When you register for the MPRE, you choose one jurisdiction to receive your score at no extra charge. The NCBE delivers that report about five weeks after test day. Select DC at registration and the score reaches the Committee on Admissions automatically.6National Conference of Bar Examiners. How Can I Have My MPRE Score Reported to Jurisdictions
If you picked a different jurisdiction, or you need DC in addition to another state, request an additional score report through your NCBE account for $30.7National Conference of Bar Examiners. MPRE Score Services The Committee also lets you upload a copy of your unofficial MPRE score to your application file while the official report is in transit.1District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Committee on Admissions – General Information
If You Score Below 75
There is no cap on retakes. Score under 75 and you can register for the next administration and try again. The NCBE offers three administrations per year, with 2026 test dates on March 24 or 25, August 11 or 12, and November 12 or 13.8National Conference of Bar Examiners. 2026 MPRE Dates and Deadlines The registration fee is $185 for each attempt. Register well before the deadline for your chosen date, since late registration windows are short and seats at testing centers fill up.