The State Bar of California Board of Trustees is poised to contemplate an agreement this week that may mark a shift for the state’s bar exam administration. In collaboration with Kaplan North American LLC, the state of California might begin the process of creating and managing its own bar examination. This move would set it apart from the National Conference of Bar Examiner’s (NCBE) test or the anticipated NextGen exam. To comprehend this potential shift in bar exam administration,
Law.com’s report provides valuable insights.
Should the State Bar of California proceed with this proposal, it would be stepping into uncharted waters – becoming the first jurisdiction to opt-out of the NextGen exam. The NCBE has planned to introduce the NextGen exam in July 2026 and anticipates phasing out the existing MBE by February 2028.
The conception of this strategy came about after the State Bar staff explored various alternatives to manage the budget prudently. Their research included looking at a switch towards more budget-friendly exam administration methods such as comprehensive remote online exams. The projected timeline for this transition is set for the February 2025 bar exam administration. The hints of this significant change were discernable in a memo posted on the Board of Trustees website prior to a board meeting taking place this Thursday.