The legal profession is on the brink of a significant transformation with the introduction of the NextGen Bar Exam. Five jurisdictions have announced their intention to administer this new bar exam, marking a significant shift in the licensure process for aspiring attorneys.
The jurisdictions leading this change are Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Wyoming, and Connecticut. Here’s a closer look at each:
Maryland
Maryland plans to administer the NextGen bar exam for the first time in July 2026. The current bar exam in Maryland is a two-day Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) consisting of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The MBE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam, while the MEE consists of six 30-minute essay questions. The MPT is a practical test where examinees are provided with a case file and must complete legal tasks.
Missouri
Missouri also plans to administer the NextGen bar exam for the first time in July 2026. The current Missouri Bar Exam is a two-day UBE. Day one consists of two 90-minute MPT questions and six 30-minute MEE questions. Day two is dedicated to the MBE.
Oregon
Oregon plans to administer the NextGen bar exam for the first time in July 2026. The current Oregon Bar Exam is a two-day UBE. Day one consists of six 30-minute MEE questions and two 90-minute MPT questions. Day two is dedicated to the MBE.
Wyoming
Wyoming aims to administer the NextGen bar exam for the first time in July 2027. The current Wyoming Bar Exam is a two-day UBE. Day one consists of six 30-minute MEE questions and two 90-minute MPT questions. Day two is dedicated to the MBE.
Connecticut
Connecticut has yet to finalize its first administration date. The current Connecticut Bar Exam is a two-day UBE. Day one consists of six 30-minute MEE questions and two 90-minute MPT questions. Day two is dedicated to the MBE.
The NextGen Bar Exam
The NextGen bar exam is being developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), which currently develops bar exam content for 54 of 56 US jurisdictions. This new exam represents the first major re-envisioning of the bar exam in the past 25 years.
The NextGen bar exam will test a broad range of foundational lawyering skills, utilizing a focused set of clearly identified fundamental legal concepts and principles needed in today’s practice of law. It will be administered over one and a half days, with two three-hour sessions on day one and one three-hour session on day two.
A New Era of Lawyer Licensure
The NextGen bar exam emulates a ‘day in the life’ of a lawyer by integrating the assessment of core lawyering skills and foundational doctrine. This approach aligns with the expectations of a newly licensed lawyer securing a general license to practice law in the interest of public protection.
Maryland State Board of Law Examiners’ director Jeff Shipley expressed excitement about adopting the NextGen bar exam beginning in July 2026. He believes it will be a valuable tool for ensuring that every newly licensed attorney in Maryland is ready to begin practicing law.
Missouri has also shown commitment to forward-thinking enhancements in attorney licensure. Hon. Cynthia L. Martin, Judge of the Court of Appeals, Western District of Missouri, who chairs the Implementation Steering Committee overseeing implementation of the NextGen exam, expressed trust and confidence in the research underlying development of the NextGen bar exam.
The adoption of the NextGen bar exam by these five jurisdictions marks an important step towards a new era of lawyer licensure in the U.S. As more jurisdictions consider this transition, it will be interesting to see how this shift impacts legal education and practice across the country.
