As the legal landscape evolves, the bar exam is undergoing its first major overhaul in 25 years. In a decisive move, Virginia and South Dakota have joined the growing list of jurisdictions transitioning to the NextGen bar exam, set to debut in July 2026. With these additions, the number of states and territories opting for the revamped test now surpasses half of the 56 jurisdictions that currently rely on a bar exam for lawyer licensing.
Virginia will implement the new exam in July 2028, but with a twist—it will retain a Virginia-specific section alongside the national test. South Dakota, on the other hand, will adopt the NextGen format in 2027, aligning with a broader national shift.
The NextGen exam, developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners starting in 2021, promises a significant departure from tradition. Its focus is on practical legal skills, moving away from heavy memorization of laws. For candidates, this means a streamlined experience, with the exam now featuring only a single, nine-hour session on a computer, down from the previous 12-hour, three-part format that included multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests.
While 29 jurisdictions, including states like Florida, Illinois, and Colorado, have confirmed they will transition to the new exam between 2026 and 2028, California and Nevada are taking different paths. California is crafting its own version of the bar exam, scheduled for release in February 2024, and Nevada is pursuing an alternative licensing process with a mix of traditional test components and supervised practice.
As the deadline approaches for the National Conference of Bar Examiners to phase out the old exam by 2028, the legal community watches closely—especially in New York, where plans remain under wraps for now.
