California will replace its state-developed attorney licensing exam with the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam beginning in July 2028, ending an ambitious but troubled effort to create its own testing system. The move follows widespread technical failures during the February 2025 California bar exam, which sparked criticism from applicants, legal educators, and the judiciary.
The California Supreme Court approved the transition, aligning the state with most U.S. jurisdictions that have already adopted the NextGen exam. At the same time, California plans to preserve a state-specific testing component to ensure new attorneys remain knowledgeable about California law.
For law students, law schools, legal recruiters, and employers, the decision represents one of the most significant attorney licensing changes in years.
Key Takeaways
- California will begin using the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam in July 2028.
- The decision follows the failed February 2025 online California bar exam.
- The NextGen exam emphasizes practical legal skills instead of memorization.
- California will continue testing applicants on state-specific law.
- The change aligns California with most states adopting the redesigned national exam.
California Ends Its Independent Bar Exam Experiment
California previously chose to move away from the traditional Multistate Bar Examination in an effort to reduce costs and modernize attorney licensing. The State Bar worked with outside vendors to create a new exam using original multiple-choice questions and a technology-driven testing platform.
However, the first administration of the redesigned exam quickly exposed major problems.
Thousands of applicants encountered login failures, software crashes, testing delays, and other technical issues during the February 2025 exam. Consequently, many candidates questioned the fairness and reliability of the testing process.
The widespread disruptions generated intense criticism across California’s legal community. Law students, professors, bar review providers, and legal organizations urged the State Bar to reconsider its approach.
Following months of review, the California Supreme Court approved a return to the national testing framework through the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam.
Why California Is Switching to the NextGen Bar Exam
Several factors contributed to the decision.
First, the failed online exam created significant financial consequences. A California State Auditor report later found that the February 2025 exam cost the State Bar at least $5.1 million in additional expenses. The report also estimated approximately $4 million in lost revenue from waived examination fees and refunds.
Meanwhile, litigation followed the troubled testing rollout.
The State Bar sued testing vendor Meazure Learning, alleging the company failed to provide a reliable platform capable of supporting thousands of examinees. Although the company denied wrongdoing, it later agreed to pay $5.25 million and waive an additional payment owed by the State Bar as part of a settlement.
As a result, California abandoned its plan to maintain a separate licensing exam and instead chose to join the national movement toward the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam.
What Is the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?
A Modern Approach to Attorney Licensing
The NextGen Uniform Bar Exam was developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners to better evaluate the practical skills new lawyers need in modern legal practice.
Unlike traditional bar exams that heavily emphasized memorization, the NextGen exam focuses on applying legal knowledge to realistic situations.
Candidates may be asked to:
- Analyze client problems
- Draft legal documents
- Conduct legal research
- Evaluate factual scenarios
- Demonstrate professional judgment
- Apply legal reasoning to practical issues
The redesigned exam also shortens overall testing time. It takes approximately nine hours, compared with roughly twelve hours for California’s current exam.
Additionally, the exam will be administered in person, reflecting California’s decision to move away from technology-dependent remote testing.
California Will Keep a State Law Component
Although California is adopting the national exam, applicants will still need to demonstrate knowledge of California law.
The California Supreme Court directed the State Bar to develop a separate California-specific testing component after implementing the NextGen exam. That additional section is expected to preserve testing on subjects unique to California practice.
Therefore, future attorneys will complete both the national assessment and California-specific requirements before becoming licensed.
California Joins the Majority of States
California’s decision places it alongside nearly every other U.S. jurisdiction embracing the redesigned licensing exam.
Only a handful of states have not yet committed to adopting the NextGen exam. Meanwhile, New York, another of the nation’s largest bar exam jurisdictions, also plans to transition in 2028.
Consequently, two of America’s largest legal markets will soon evaluate attorney candidates using the same national testing framework.
Greater consistency may also simplify preparation for graduates considering careers across multiple jurisdictions.
What the Change Means for Law Students
More Predictable Exam Preparation
For law students, the transition creates a clearer path toward bar admission.
National bar review providers will likely expand materials specifically designed for the NextGen exam. Furthermore, students attending law schools across the country may benefit from more consistent preparation resources.
Instead of concentrating primarily on memorizing legal rules, candidates can expect greater emphasis on analytical thinking and practical lawyering skills.
However, students planning to practice in California must also prepare for the future California-specific law section.
Law Schools May Update Their Curriculum
The new testing format may also influence legal education.
Many law schools have already begun increasing instruction in legal writing, client counseling, drafting, negotiation, and practical problem-solving. California’s adoption of the NextGen exam could accelerate those curriculum changes even further.
Academic support programs may also shift away from traditional memorization strategies toward real-world legal analysis.
Potential Impact on Law Firms and Recruiters
The transition could benefit employers throughout the legal industry.
Law firms often rely on bar passage as a critical milestone for hiring new associates. A nationally standardized exam may provide employers with greater confidence when evaluating candidates from different jurisdictions.
Recruiters may also find it easier to compare applicants who complete similar licensing examinations.
Although California’s state-law component will remain unique, broader national consistency could improve attorney mobility over time.
Timeline of California’s Bar Exam Changes
2024
- California moves away from the traditional Multistate Bar Examination.
February 2025
- The new California-developed exam experiences significant technical failures.
2026
- The California Supreme Court approves adoption of the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam.
July 2028
- California will administer the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam for the first time.
Future Implementation
- California plans to introduce a separate state-law testing component after the national exam launches.
Why This Decision Matters
California administers one of the largest bar examinations in the United States. Therefore, changes to its licensing process often influence legal education, bar preparation companies, employers, and law students nationwide.
The state’s return to a nationally recognized testing model also reflects growing demand for reliable, secure, and practice-focused attorney licensing.
Rather than continuing an expensive independent testing experiment, California has chosen a framework already being adopted across much of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will California begin using the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?
California plans to administer the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam beginning in
July 2028.
Why is California changing its bar exam?
The state approved the change after widespread technical failures, increased costs, and operational problems disrupted the February 2025 California bar exam.
What is the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam?
It is a redesigned attorney licensing examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners that emphasizes practical legal skills instead of heavy memorization.
Will California still test applicants on California law?
Yes. California intends to add a separate state-specific testing component to ensure attorneys understand California legal requirements.
Is the NextGen exam shorter than the current California exam?
Yes. The NextGen exam lasts approximately nine hours, compared with about twelve hours for California’s current exam.
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California Switches to National Bar Exam for 2027 first appeared on
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