Virginia to Adopt NextGen UBE in 2028 to Boost Bar Exam Participation

State hopes new exam will improve score portability and exam relevance for law graduates

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Virginia law schools have seen a drop in graduates taking the Virginia Bar Exam, from 46% in 2012 to just 28% in 2024. To address this decline, Virginia will adopt the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam in 2028, which will allow score portability across jurisdictions and include a state-specific Virginia component.

Why it matters

With eight accredited law schools, Virginia has more law schools than most states, but turning law students into practicing lawyers has become a challenge. Adopting the NextGen UBE is seen as a way to make the bar exam more attractive and relevant for law graduates, potentially reversing the declining participation trend.

The details

The NextGen UBE will replace the current Multistate Bar Examination that Virginia administers. It will be a nine-hour exam over two days, with a state-specific Virginia component on the second day. The new exam is intended to more closely resemble the issues and questions that practicing lawyers face. Virginia is providing nearly four years of advance notice before the first NextGen UBE administration in 2028 to allow law schools and students to prepare.

  • Virginia will administer the NextGen UBE for the first time with the summer 2028 exam.
  • In 2022, Virginia amended a law to allow third-year law students to take the bar exam, enabling them to begin practicing sooner.

The players

Wendy Collins Perdue

Dean of the University of Richmond School of Law and a longtime advocate for Virginia adopting the Uniform Bar Exam.

Brian K. Jackson

Partner at Hirschler and president of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, who said adopting the NextGen UBE will be "a significant step forward in ensuring that our legal profession continues to assess candidates effectively and consistently."

Leslie Kendrick

Dean of the University of Virginia School of Law, who noted that the decreased popularity of the Virginia Bar Exam coincides with the increased popularity of the D.C. bar exam among U.Va. graduates.

Robin Smith

Founder of Richmond-based Mid-Atlantic Legal Recruiting, who said the Uniform Bar Exam has been "a game changer" and contributed to Virginia's declining bar exam participation.

Virginia Board of Bar Examiners

The organization that oversees the bar exam process in Virginia and announced the decision to adopt the NextGen UBE in 2024.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The board will revise its rules to allow for the acceptance of passing NextGen UBE scores earned in other jurisdictions and to provide scores that are transferrable to other participating jurisdictions.”

— Brian K. Jackson, Partner, Hirschler; President, Virginia Board of Bar Examiners

“From my point of view, that was progress. It's too bad it took as long as it did.”

— Wendy Collins Perdue, Dean, University of Richmond School of Law

“D.C.'s status as a UBE jurisdiction now makes it an appealing choice for graduates who want to maintain maximum flexibility in their practice options.”

— Leslie Kendrick, Dean, University of Virginia School of Law

What’s next

The Virginia Board of Bar Examiners will revise its rules to allow for the acceptance of passing NextGen UBE scores earned in other jurisdictions and to provide scores that are transferrable to other participating jurisdictions.

The takeaway

Adopting the NextGen UBE in 2028 is a significant move by Virginia to address the declining participation in the state's bar exam, which has fallen from 46% of law school graduates in 2012 to just 28% in 2024. The new exam's portability and relevance to modern legal practice are expected to make it a more attractive option for law graduates, potentially reversing the trend and ensuring a steady pipeline of new lawyers for the commonwealth.