The California State Bar is set to change the landscape of legal licensing with its upcoming remote bar exam, allowing applicants to take the test from anywhere, both within and outside the Golden State. Scheduled to begin in February, this move is set to transform the bar exam experience for thousands of aspiring attorneys by eliminating the need for costly travel and extensive logistical planning.
In a groundbreaking decision on Friday, the State Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners voted 8-3 in favor of permitting applicants to sit for the exam remotely or at test centers located in other states and even internationally. However, to maintain the integrity of the test, all remote examinees will be required to take the exam simultaneously with those physically present in California.
This shift to a remote exam format comes in response to a variety of factors, including reducing costs for both the State Bar and examinees. Traditionally, applicants would have to travel to California and pay for accommodation, transportation, and other related expenses. For instance, during the July 2023 exam, a third of examinees reported spending over $1,000 on travel and lodging, with many traveling distances over 250 miles. By allowing the test to be taken remotely, the Bar expects to save bar takers hundreds of dollars.
Beyond convenience for candidates, the move is also financially prudent for the State Bar. The new online or smaller testing center format, which is expected to be fully implemented by February 2024, is projected to save the State Bar approximately $3.8 million annually by eliminating the need for renting out large convention spaces. The State Bar’s admissions arm, facing a financial deficit, views this shift as a necessary step toward greater financial sustainability.
This decision marks a significant departure from the traditional requirement in nearly every other state, where bar examinees must physically appear in the jurisdiction in which they seek admission. While California has long been a leader in legal innovation, the shift to remote exams is not without its challenges. In September, the California Supreme Court rejected the initial petition due to procedural issues, delaying the implementation. However, after receiving approval from the Committee of Bar Examiners in late September, the State Bar resubmitted its petition in October, and is now moving forward with plans to roll out the new exam format.
Though the Supreme Court has yet to issue its ruling on the new petition, the State Bar remains optimistic, with preparations for the new format already underway. State Bar staff highlighted that approximately 20% to 22% of recent bar applicants resided out of state, and many candidates traveled significant distances to take the test, making the remote exam a highly anticipated development.
The remote bar exam will be administered by Meazure Learning, the same testing company responsible for delivering and proctoring the exam in traditional test centers. Both remote and in-person testing options will offer the same security and testing experience. Whether examinees opt for the convenience of testing from home or the structure of a physical testing center, the quality and reliability of the exam will remain consistent.
This remote option also ensures that aspiring attorneys across the country—and around the globe—will have access to the same standards and protocols as their California-based counterparts, regardless of their location.
As the second-largest bar exam jurisdiction in the nation (following New York), California’s decision to offer a remote bar exam could set a precedent for other states. With over 11,000 candidates sitting for the 2023 exam, California continues to be a crucial hub for legal talent, and this new approach is likely to expand access to even more aspiring lawyers across the United States and beyond.
With the February exam fast approaching, the State Bar of California is set to finalize agreements and logistical plans for the remote exam format. If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for future legal licensing reforms, particularly in terms of accessibility and cost reduction.
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