Hawaii

Verified

Imported 2026-09-27 — not yet reviewed; confirm with the admitting authority.

How to apply

Application portalApply online

Character & fitnessApplication process managed by the jurisdiction's bar admission agency; many jurisdictions use NCBE's Character & Fitness application/investigation as part of the exam application (timing: filed together with or shortly after the bar exam application). Verify exact process/timing per jurisdiction at the agency_url.

Exam & score rules

Exam typeLocal (jurisdiction-drafted, non-UBE) exam; transitioning to NextGen UBE (first administration: July 2028)

UBE min scoreTBA

MPRE requiredyes (min: 85)

Education requirementABA-approved J.D. NOT strictly required. Alternatives permitted: Non-ABA-approved out-of-state law school (Additional requirements: Bar admission in another state, specified number of years of practice) Foreign-law graduates may be eligible (see jurisdiction rules).

Other required components

Local law componentHawaii's exam is currently a non-UBE, jurisdiction-drafted exam. Hawaii also has a September 2025 Pilot Project allowing a 'Limited License Method' for public-employee (criminal law) applicants — a supervised/limited-license pathway, not full bar admission; see courts.state.hi.us pilot project order.

Other pathsLimited License Method Pilot Project (public employee, criminal law) effective Sept. 2, 2025 — a narrow supervised-practice/limited-license pathway, distinct from general bar admission.

Transfer options

Accepts transferred UBEno

UBE transfer acceptedno

Score age limitn/a (not a UBE jurisdiction)

Admission on motion

Allows AOMvery limited

Reciprocal onlyConfirm with the admitting authority.

Years of practiceConfirm with the admitting authority.

AOM feen/a for general applicants n/a

Other requirementsHawaii's admission-without-examination is restricted to narrow categories only: full-time University of Hawaii law faculty, active-duty JAG attorneys, and legal-services/legal-aid attorneys under specific rules — NOT a general reciprocity/AOM path for private-practice attorneys.

Official AOM source

Essays & sample answers

Publishes past essaysyes

Years availableNot fully enumerated in this session; page titled 'Essay Answers' confirmed live

Sample answersyes (page name is 'Essay Answers')

Exam typeUBE

Terms of useNot verified in this session

Essay archive / sample answers Essay archive / sample answers

Hawaii Judiciary hosts a legal_references 'Essay Answers' page and a companion 'Hawaii Bar Exam Components and Subjects Tested' page; page content/years not deeply crawled due to time — recommend follow-up crawl of full page for the year range and any copyright notice.

Fees & deadlines

Feesfirst_time_applicant: $500 (plus C&F fee); attorney_applicant: $500 (plus C&F fee); repeater: $500 (plus C&F fee); laptop_fee: $133.50; admission_on_motion_fee: $500 (plus C&F fee)

Application deadlinesjuly_2026_regular: April 1; july_2026_late: —; february_2027_regular: Nov. 1; february_2027_late: —

Next exam datesjuly_2026: Scheduled (standard UBE/local administration); february_2027: Scheduled (standard UBE/local administration); nextgen_first_administration: July 2028; legacy_ube_final_administration: Not applicable

Official sources

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4 Source 5 Source 6 Source 7 Source 8 Source 9

Currently jurisdiction-drafted (non-UBE); Hawaii has announced intent to adopt NextGen UBE July 2028.

VerdictUp is a study aid and does not provide legal advice or guarantee admission. Confirm with the admitting authority.