In a bold move, Nevada is opting out of the new national bar exam set to launch in 2026, following California’s lead. Instead, the state is championing a novel licensing method that melds traditional testing with practical experience.
The Nevada Supreme Court has endorsed a unique licensing process known as the Nevada Plan. This approach blends several familiar bar exam elements with a requirement for supervised practice. According to a recent memo from Richard Trachok, Chairman of the Nevada Board of Bar Examiners, this plan promises a swifter path to legal practice, allowing graduates to potentially start their careers within weeks of finishing law school.
The Nevada Plan eschews the NextGen Bar Exam, developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, in favor of a system that integrates three key components. Law students can tackle most of these components during their studies, making the transition to practice smoother and faster. Proponents argue that this method offers a more accurate and equitable evaluation of a lawyer’s capabilities.
California’s decision to forgo the NextGen exam in August was driven partly by the potential to save up to $3.8 million annually, thanks to remote administration. Nevada’s decision, according to Trachok, reflects a serious and thoughtful approach, with other states observing closely.
Though the Nevada Supreme Court has not yet made a formal announcement, it’s expected that the official rollout of the new plan will be within the year. Until then, the National Conference of Bar Examiners will continue to support the state’s broader admissions processes, though scores from the new system won’t be transferable to other jurisdictions.
In practice, Nevada’s plan requires future lawyers to pass a 100-question multiple-choice test on foundational legal concepts, complete between 40 and 60 hours of supervised practice, and finish with a one-day performance test after their final semester. With only one American Bar Association-accredited law school and 479 bar exam takers in 2023, Nevada is setting a precedent that could influence the future of legal education and licensing.
