CBE Recommends the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam and Consideration of a Future California Component

At its meeting on Friday, April 17, 2026, the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) approved a bar exam options risk-benefit analysis and recommended that the California Supreme Court adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners' (NCBE) NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (NextGen UBE) for administration beginning in July 2028.

The CBE further approved seeking direction from the Court on which subjects and skills the Court would want to see included in a California component of the exam―the details of which would be considered and developed for future exams after the 2028 administrations.

"Today's CBE decision reflects the careful analysis and extensive input from exam experts, staff, and key stakeholders that we have gathered over the past year," said CBE Chair Alan Yochelson. "After thoughtful and thorough review of the risk-benefit analysis and updated information, the CBE concludes that recommending the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam, as of July 2028, is the most reliant, fair, and appropriate option at this time. We also approved consideration of a California component after 2028. We look forward to the Board's consideration of the CBE's recommendation at its meeting in May before the Board submits the final recommendation to the California Supreme Court."

The final recommendation to the Court will be discussed at the Board of Trustees' May 14-15, 2026, meeting. The Board could either concur with the CBE's decision or offer another recommendation. If the latter happens, the State Bar's petition to the Supreme Court will address both options. Friday's CBE recommendation was made as part of the need to transition away from the NCBE Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), which will be phased out as a standalone option after the February 2028 administration.

Throughout 2025 and early 2026, the Board and the CBE reviewed information about bar exam options, including presentations, cost analyses, stakeholder input, survey results from law school deans and current and prospective licensees, and materials addressing issues raised by the February 2025 California Bar Examination.

The CBE's two-day meeting concludes on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

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