Admission by Exam

Criteria for Application

Prior to being allowed to sit for the bar exam, all individuals who desire to complete an application for regular admission to the Virgin Islands Bar must allege and prove, in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 204(d), the following:

The applicant is at least twenty-one years of age.

The applicant is a citizen of the United States, or resident non-United States citizens must be legal immigrants, i.e., immigrants who have lawfully been admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

The applicant is a person of good moral character who has not been disbarred, suspended or sanctioned, or who has been reinstated or exonerated, and who is not under pending disciplinary action, by any state, district, territorial, federal or foreign jurisdiction.

The applicant, who is seeking admission to the Virgin Islands Bar and is previously admitted to the bar of any other jurisdiction, is a current member in good standing of that jurisdiction.

The applicant is a graduate of an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association.

Please note that pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 204(c)(6), no application to the Virgin Islands Bar may be filed by anyone who has been disbarred, suspended or sanctioned, without reinstatement or exoneration, or who is under pending disciplinary action by the Bar of any State, District or Territory of the United States or any foreign jurisdiction, or any Federal Court.

Application Deadline

In accordance with VISCR 204(c)(1), a timely application for regular admission to the Virgin Islands Bar shall be made electronically filed to the Supreme Court no later than December 1 for the February administration or May 1 for the July administration, and shall be accompanied by a fee of $1,100.00

In accordance with VISCR 204(c)(2) as amended, applications not filed within the filing period set forth in Rule 204(c)(1) shall be rejected.

Composition of Examination

In accordance with VISCR 204(e) each applicant is required to pass the following examinations.

Virgin Islands Bar Examination, consisting of the components of the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE).

Virgin Islands Law Component, an online examination on the aspects of Virgin Islands law.

Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), a scaled score on the 75 on the MPRE is required. An MPRE score must be attained no earlier than three (3) years prior to the date of the administration of the UBE in which the applicant achieves a passing score.

Character Examination and Personal Interview

NextGen Uniform Bar Exam 

A minimum passing score of 616 is required on the NextGen UBE.

In addition to the NextGen UBE, applicants must take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a scaled score of 75 or higher, pass the Virgin Islands Law Component, an online open book multiple choice test on unique Virgin Islands specific law and undergo a Character Examination and Personal Interview. Information about NextGen Uniform Bar Examination Content Scope for the July 2026 through February 2027 administration is available Here.

The Official Examinees' Guide to the NextGen UBE for the July 2026-February 2027 administration can be found Here.

NextGen UBE Dates For 2026

 The Virgin Islands Bar Examination will be administered on the upcoming test dates:

Transfer of MBE Score 

An applicant may not transfer an MBE score pursuant to VISCR 204(g)(2).  An MBE score obtained in another jurisdiction, or from a prior administration of the Virgin Islands Bar Examination, shall not be accepted by the committee.

NextGen UBE is a digitally delivered examination administered through a secure testing browser.

All examinees must use their laptops during the bar exam. The $149.00 technology fee is paid directly through the NCBE Account.

A free online preview of the exam software can be found Here.

Prior to admissions to the Virgin Islands Bar, all individuals desiring to practice law in the Virgin Islands Bar should familiarize themselves with the Rules of the Supreme Court, including, but not limited to the Rules that establish membership status and the mandatory continuing legal education; attorney registration and the Rules which govern professional responsibility, discipline, and the Bylaws of the Virgin Islands Bar Association.

National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) Request for Preparation of a Character Report

An applicant must complete the online version of the National Conference of Bar Examiners Character and Fitness Report Application at https://www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness.
- Log into or create an NCBE Account to complete the NCBE online application. 
- After you complete and finalize the NCBE online application, a checklist will display with access to a PDF of your application and additional instruction for signatures and mailing. 
- The entire NCBE application must be electronically filed with the Office of Bar Admissions within twenty-four (24) hours of the acceptance of electronic filing of your Virgin Islands Bar Admission Application.