Rule 19-203 - Bar Examination(a) Generally--UBE. The bar examination in Maryland shall consist of the UBE.(b) Scheduling. The Board shall schedule a UBE in Maryland twice annually, once in February and once in July. The examination shall be scheduled on two successive days. The total duration of the examination shall be not more than 12 hours nor less than nine hours, unless extended at the applicant's request pursuant to Rules 19-206 or 19-210. At least 30 days before a scheduled examination, the Board shall post on the Judiciary website notice of the dates, times, and place or places of the examination.(c) Purpose of Examination. The purpose of the bar examination is to enable applicants to demonstrate their capacity to achieve mastery of foundational legal doctrines, proficiency in fundamental legal skills, and competence in applying both to solve legal problems consistent with the highest ethical standards. It is the policy of the Court that no quota of successful applicants be set but that each applicant be judged for fitness to be a member of the Bar as demonstrated by the examination answers.(d) Qualifying Score. By Board Rule, the Board shall establish the qualifying UBE score.(e) Voiding of Examination Results for Ineligibility. If an applicant who is determined by the Board not to be eligible under Rule 19-201 takes an examination, the applicant's Notice of Intent to Take the UBE in Maryland shall be deemed invalid and the applicant's examination results shall be voided. An examination result that is voided for ineligibility shall not be a valid UBE score for purposes of transfer to another jurisdiction. No fees shall be refunded. The Board shall notify the applicant that the examination results have been voided and the reason for the voiding. This Rule is derived in part from former Rule 19-206(2018) and is in part new.
Formerly Rule 19-206, adopted June 6, 2016, eff. 7/1/2016. Renumbered Rule 19-203 Dec. 4, 2018, eff. 3/1/2019.HISTORICAL NOTES
2018 Orders
The December 4, 2018 order re-numbered this rule from Rule 19-206; conformed certain requirements, terminology, and references to implement the Uniform Bar Exam; added a new section (a); and deleted current sections (c) and (d).