32nd President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Son of the 35th president and renowned journalist, John F. Kennedy Jr., and First Lady, attorney, and pediatric health advocate, Michelle Obama. Regardless of how you feel about their political views, it’s inarguable that these famous names found widespread success and acclaim. What do they all have in common?
They didn’t pass the bar exam on their first try.
So yes, you can fail, try again, and succeed—to presidential levels, at that. But how many attempts do you have before you have to kiss your attorney dreams goodbye? Let’s take a look at how many times you can take the bar exam so you can craft your winning strategy to pass (hopefully, on your first attempt).
Key Takeaways
- Most States Allow Unlimited Attempts: You can retake the bar exam as many times as needed in most jurisdictions.
- Some States Set Discretionary Limits: After a few attempts, you might need permission or extra documentation to try again.
- A Few States Have Absolute Caps: While rare, some places limit bar exam attempts with no option for appeal.
- The UBE Doesn’t Set Limits: Even if your state uses the Uniform Bar Examination, attempt limits are still state-specific.
- Failing Isn’t the End: Plenty of successful people didn’t pass the first time. With the right prep, your next try could be the one.
No One-Size-Fits-All Rule
Here’s the short answer: the number of bar exam attempts you’re allowed depends on your state. There is no national limit, and rules vary wildly depending on where you’re taking the exam.
Some states let you take the bar exam multiple times with no questions asked. Others have discretionary limits, where you can keep trying—but only if you meet certain conditions. A few states even have absolute limits, meaning once you hit a set number, that’s it.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. The bar exam varies from place to place, so knowing your state’s rules is step one.
What States Allow Unlimited Attempts?
If you’re worried about hitting a cap, you’re in luck—most states allow unlimited attempts. This means you can retake the exam as many times as you want without needing special approval.
Examples of states with unlimited attempts include:
- New York
- Illinois
- Florida
- Wisconsin
- Georgia
And yes, the California bar exam is included here, too. California might be one of the hardest exams in the country, but they won’t stop you from taking another shot.
However, it’s worth mentioning that some people truly make lemonade out of their failure lemons. Paulina Bandy failed the California state bar a whopping 13 times. When she finally passed on her 14th attempt, she began creating resources to help multiple-time takers finally earn that passing score.
Just keep in mind: state bar associations and prospective employers may still question multiple attempts when you go to apply for admission or a job. While most don’t seem to care much, it’s still worth considering. So even if you’re allowed to keep trying, it’s smart to reflect on what went wrong and prep better next time.
What About States With Discretionary Limits?
Discretionary limits mean your number of tries isn’t technically capped—but once you hit a certain number of failures, you’ll need to meet extra requirements to keep testing.
For example:
- South Carolina: After three bar exam attempts, you’ll need permission from the state’s Board of Law Examiners to try again.
- West Virginia: You can apply again after failing four times, but only with special approval and documentation showing extraordinary circumstances.
- Texas: You’re limited to five attempts unless you can show compelling reasons to try again.
In these states, your fate isn’t sealed by a number, but you will have to go the extra mile—and possibly wait longer between attempts.
What Are Absolute Limits?
Some states enforce absolute limits, which means once you hit that number of tries, you’re done—no waivers, no exceptions.
These are rare, but they exist. And if you’re planning to take the exam in one of these places, it’s crucial to know upfront.
For example, a handful of jurisdictions used to cap attempts at four or five total. However, many have relaxed these restrictions in recent years—likely in recognition that passing the bar isn’t a measure of future lawyering success on the first try.
Still, rules can change, and some states may reinstate or enforce limits under certain conditions. Always check your state bar website or the National Conference of Bar Examiners for the latest. For now, here’s the list of states with absolute limits:
| State | Attempts Allowed |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 4 |
| Kentucky | 5 |
| New Hampshire | 4 |
| North Dakota | 6 |
| Rhode Island | 5 |
| Vermont | 4 |
That’s a lot of information, so here’s a graphic to summarize what you need to know about attempt limits and where prominent states fall in the lineup:
Does the UBE Change the Rules?
The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) is now used in most states. It includes the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
While the format is standardized, attempt limits still depend on state policy, not the UBE itself. Just because two states use the UBE doesn’t mean they have the same retake rules.
So, even if you’re transferring your UBE score to another jurisdiction, you’ll still need to meet that state’s rules—including any restrictions on multiple attempts.
How to Bounce Back From a Failed Attempt
Failing the bar doesn’t mean you’re doomed. But it does mean something has to change before the next go-around. Here are a few tips I swear by:
- Reflect on your last attempt: Were you underprepared? Rushed? Burnt out?
- Switch up your bar prep: Try a new course, study plan, or tutor if needed.
- Use real bar exam practice questions: These help you get used to the question style and timing.
- Focus on your weak areas: If you bombed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, take time to really master it before retaking.
- Ask for feedback if it’s available: Some states offer score breakdowns—use them.
And most importantly, don’t take it again until you’re truly ready. No shame in waiting if it means a better chance at a passing score.
Final Thoughts
How many times can you take the bar exam? It really depends on where you are. Some states give you unlimited attempts. Others have discretionary or even absolute limits. But no matter the rules, what truly matters is your strategy and commitment to getting over that finish line.
So whether it takes you one try or five, don’t let a setback define you. Some of the most respected people in the world failed the bar before finding success—and there’s no reason you can’t be next on that list.
You’ve got this. One attempt at a time.
FAQs
It depends on your state. Most allow unlimited attempts, but some have discretionary or absolute limits on how many times you can try.
Again, your state will have the answer. States like Iowa have a two-attempt discretionary limit, and states like Arizona, Maryland, Montana, and South Carolina allow three attempts before you need a new plan. The lowest “hard limit” starts with Kansas, New Hampshire, and Vermont, each with four attempts.
In states with absolute limits, you’re no longer eligible to take the bar exam. In discretionary-limit states, you may request special permission to try again.
Some do, especially large firms, but many care more about whether you eventually passed and how you perform on the job. It’s not a dealbreaker for most.
States like New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have absolute limits: hard limits where, once met, you’re no longer able to try again.
