In a strategic move to alleviate budgetary challenges, the State Bar of California is on the brink of approving a plan that would slash the number of locations for its July bar exam. This proposal, set to be deliberated by state bar trustees this Thursday, aims to streamline testing operations by reducing large testing sites from seven to four or five.
Under this plan, testing locations in Sacramento and Santa Clara would be phased out, with ongoing efforts to secure a test site in San Diego. However, critics argue that this approach disadvantages law examinees in areas without a nearby testing location. Michael Hunter Schwartz, the dean of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, expressed concerns, stating that the plan seems to favor wealthier bar takers who can afford local accommodations for optimal exam preparation.
A spokesperson for the state bar referred to an August memo acknowledging that the proposed changes would shift some costs to examinees. Despite potential drawbacks, the plan is deemed necessary to address the “very real budget difficulties” faced by the state bar, as outlined in the memo.
In addition to reducing large testing sites, the plan outlines the establishment of four or five smaller sites catering to examinees with testing accommodations, such as extra time or added breaks. These adjustments are projected to cut $354,141 from the total $4.5 million cost of administering the July bar, according to a memo reviewed by Reuters.
The financial strain on the State Bar of California has been evident in recent years, with the admissions fund projected to run an $8 million deficit in 2024. In response, the bar implemented fee increases in September, anticipating an additional $7.5 million annually. Notably, the cost of taking the bar exam saw a 26% boost, rising from $830 to $1,003 for law graduates in February.
California, boasting the nation’s second-largest number of bar takers after New York, has faced similar reductions in bar exam locations for the upcoming February test. The current plan for the July exam focuses on large testing sites in Pasadena, Ontario, Anaheim, and San Francisco, with efforts underway to secure a site in San Diego, potentially at the Olympic Training Center or a casino in Temecula.
This move reflects the ongoing financial challenges faced by the State Bar of California, emphasizing the delicate balance between cost-cutting measures and ensuring accessibility for aspiring legal professionals.
