Discussions about the feasibility and merit of a uniform bar exam take place among the American Bar Association, the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), and the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ).
Representatives from the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, the AALS, the CCJ, and NCBE form a Joint Working Group on Legal Education and Bar Admissions to explore issues relating to the bar examination and the bar admissions process.
The Joint Working Group on Legal Education and Bar Admissions holds a conference in Chicago in October, at which participants engage in a dialogue about the bar exam, including discussion about the possible advantages of moving toward adoption of a uniform bar exam.
The Bar Admissions Committee of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar engages in discussion on next steps that the Committee might take to advance the agenda of a uniform bar exam.
NCBE Chair Diane F. Bosse creates NCBE’s Special Committee on the Uniform Bar Examination.
NCBE’s Special Committee on the UBE sponsors a conference on January 10 in New Orleans, LA, attended by representatives from the 21 jurisdictions that use the MBE, MEE, and MPT to explore the feasibility and desirability of a uniform bar exam.
At the January meeting of the NCBE Board of Trustees, the Special Committee on the UBE recommends to the Board that a specific written proposal be distributed to the jurisdictions regarding development of a uniform bar exam.
The proposal, inviting interested jurisdictions to participate in a meeting to explore the UBE, is circulated to jurisdictions in March.
NCBE hosts “The Uniform Bar Examination: The Next Step” on June 19–20 in Madison, WI, for jurisdictions interested in discussing the anticipated launch of the UBE.
NCBE hosts “The Uniform Bar Examination: Moving Forward” on November 1–2 in Phoenix, AZ, for jurisdictions interested in moving forward with the UBE to provide input on development of the UBE.
Missouri and North Dakota adopt the UBE.
NCBE’s Special Committee on the UBE hosts a regional informational meeting on June 16–17 in Saratoga Springs, NY, for representatives from six states in the Northeast.
The CCJ adopts a Resolution Endorsing Consideration of a Uniform Bar Examination at its Annual Meeting.
The Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar adopts a Resolution Endorsing Consideration of a Uniform Bar Examination.
NCBE’s Special Committee on the UBE hosts a regional informational meeting on November 17–18 in Salt Lake City, UT, for representatives from 10 states in the western and mountain regions.
Washington, Alabama, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona adopt the UBE.
First administrations of the UBE occur in Alabama, Missouri, and North Dakota with 1,553 examinees sitting for the UBE.
NCBE’s Special Committee on the UBE hosts a regional informational meeting on September 25–26 in St. Louis, MO, for representatives from 11 “Big River” states (states that border either the Mississippi, Ohio, or Missouri River).
Nebraska, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming adopt the UBE.
First administrations of the UBE occur in Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho, bringing the total to six UBE jurisdictions, with 4,311 examinees sitting for the UBE.
NCBE hosts a meeting on May 16 in Madison, WI, for administrators of the nine jurisdictions that have adopted or conditionally approved the UBE.
New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Alaska adopt the UBE.
First administrations of the UBE occur in Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, bringing the total to 11 jurisdictions, with 6,256 examinees sitting for the UBE.
First administrations of the UBE occur in Alaska, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, bringing the total to 14 jurisdictions, with 7,794 examinees sitting for the UBE.
Kansas, New York, Iowa, Vermont, and New Mexico adopt the UBE.
7,539 examinees sit for the UBE in the 14 jurisdictions administering the UBE.
The ABA Young Lawyers Division submits a Recommendation to its Council and Assembly at the February ABA Midyear Meeting urging jurisdiction bar admission authorities to consider participating in the development and implementation of the UBE and urging jurisdictions to expeditiously adopt the UBE.
NCBE hosts a forum on October 5–7 in Madison, WI, for the administrators and a board member from each of the 18 jurisdictions that have adopted the UBE.
South Carolina, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts adopt the UBE.
First administrations of the UBE occur in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont, bringing the total to 20 jurisdictions, with 19,149 examinees sitting for the UBE.
The ABA Law Student Division submits a Resolution to the ABA House of Delegates at its February 2016 meeting urging all bar admission authorities to expeditiously adopt the UBE; the Resolution is adopted after debate by the House on a voice vote (the Resolution is cosponsored by NCBE and the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Law Practice Division, Senior Lawyers Division, and Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section).
The ABA Young Lawyers Division holds its Council and Assembly meetings at the February 2016 ABA meeting, just prior to the House of Delegates meeting; each votes to support the Resolution submitted by the Law Student Division urging all bar admission authorities to expeditiously adopt the UBE.
The CCJ adopts a Resolution Urging Consideration of Implementation of the Uniform Bar Examination at its Midyear Meeting.
First administrations of the UBE to occur in Connecticut, New Jersey, South Carolina, and West Virginia, bringing the total to 24 jurisdictions.
First administration of the UBE to occur in Massachusetts, bringing the total to 25 jurisdictions.
