For an instrument to be negotiable under the UCC, which of the following is NOT a requirement?

For an instrument to be considered negotiable under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), certain criteria must be met, such as being in writing, signed by the maker or drawer, and payable on demand or at a definite time. One key characteristic of a negotiable instrument is that it must contain an unconditional promise or order to pay a certain sum of money, rather than a conditional promise. This means that the promise to pay should not be dependent on the occurrence of a future event or condition.

Thus, the presence of conditional promises disqualifies an instrument from being negotiable under the UCC, making it the correct answer to the question about which characteristic is NOT required. In contrast, the other requirements—being in writing, having a signature, and specifying payment terms—are essential for achieving negotiability.