Governor signs Cal Bar Exam-related bill: no changes to the exam without 18-24 months’ notice

In early October, Governor Newsom signed SB 253, which requires the Cal Bar to use the NCBE’s questions, and not ones drafted by a private vendor until at least 2027.  The bill indicates that the Cal Bar must provide 18 months’ notice that it intends for a private vendor to draft MBE questions.  Separately, the Cal Bar must provide two years notice before the Cal Bar can return to remote testing.

Eighteen months after October 15 is April 2027, which means that the absolute earliest that Kaplan (or someone else’s) MBE questions could be used is July 2027.  For remote testing, two years notice is October 2027, which means the earliest return to remote testing would be February 2028.

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