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February 2023 California Bar Exam

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February 2023 Bar Exam FAQs
Instructions for applying
Requesting testing accommodations
Deadlines:
  • Application filings
  • Withdrawals
  • Exam preparation and exam day
Instructions for essay questions and performance test
Admittance ticket bulletin

Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, February 21–22, 2023

Please note that the February 2023 California Bar Examination will be held as an in-person examination. Applicants will be required to select a testing location when applying in the Applicant Portal.

Time: All applicants must be seated no later than 8:20 a.m. on both days. The examination will begin immediately following the reading of instructions. Applicants should plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early to locate their assigned sections or rooms. Applicants must be seated no later than 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon sessions; instructions will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m.

The examination is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday at approximately 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday at approximately 5:00 p.m. End times may differ based on the length of time taken for the reading of instructions. 

Attorneys who signed up for the General Bar Examination are expected to participate on both days. Applicants who have applied for and are eligible to take the Attorneys’ Examination will only be seated for the examination on Tuesday. 

Please check your Applicant Portal, as those granted extended time will have different schedules, which are communicated individually in advance of the examination. Review the full schedule here.

Additional information concerning the timing and other administrative rules and policies are contained in the admittance ticket bulletin that will be available on the State Bar website four weeks prior to the exam date.

Notice regarding scope of the California Bar Exam

Applicants are expected to know the California Rules of Professional Conduct in effect at the time the exam is administered (current law). The rules were substantially revised effective November 1, 2018. Minor amendments were made subsequent to that date. The latest amendments, amending Rule 1.1 [Competence] and Rule 5.4 [Financial and Similar Arrangements with Nonlawyers] were amended by the Supreme Court effective March 22, 2021. These rules are within the scope of the upcoming February 2023 California Bar Examination. 

 

Important deadlines

Application filings

October 1 Exam application open
November 1 Timely filing deadline (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3)
November 2–30 $50 late filing fee (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3)
December 1–January 3 $250 late filing fee (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3)
November 10
(After 6:00 p.m.)
Application opens for immediate repeaters
November 30 Timely filing deadline for immediate repeaters (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3)
December 1–December 27 $50 late filing fee for immediate repeaters
December 28–January 3 $250 late filing fee for immediate repeaters
January 3

- Final filing/reinstatement deadline (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3)

- Testing accommodations petition final filing deadline*

February 1 Appeal of testing accommodations final filing deadline
February 7 Test center change request deadline
February 7

- Final deadline to submit proof of eligibility to sit for the exam

- Final deadline for general applicant to submit proof of law study 

- Final deadline for attorney applicant to submit Certificate of Good Standing from another jurisdiction

February 10 Emergency testing accommodations petition final filing deadline*

*Applicants must submit their requests through the Applicant Portal. Requests must be complete, which means that any supporting medical documentation needs to be included.

Withdrawals

October 2–December 1 Withdrawal with 60% refund
December 2–16 Withdrawal with 30% refund 
December 17–February 7 Withdrawal with no refund
December 1–December 30 Withdrawal with 60% refund for immediate repeaters
December 31–January 3 Withdrawal with 30% refund for immediate repeaters
January 4–February 7 Withdrawal with no refund for immediate repeaters
February 7 Final deadline to withdraw from the exam for all test takers, including immediate repeaters. Those who fail to withdraw by this deadline will be considered a no show, which could delay processing for the next exam.

Exam preparation and exam day

January 24 - Mock exam available

- First date admittance tickets available

- Exam files available for download
February 17 - Deadline for exam takers to complete and upload to ExamSoft mandatory/required mock exam

- Last day for exam takers to download exam files

February 23, 12:00 p.m.
(Pacific Time)

Laptop exam answer file upload deadline

Unfortunately, the Bar Exam Strategies and Stories Program will not be offered for the February 2023 Bar Exam. The program is scheduled to return for the July 2023 Exam Administration.

Address change

Applicants whose physical or email address changes after filing their applications are encouraged to notify the Office of Admissions of a change of address as soon as possible. Applicants should update their admissions file with the new address by accessing their account through the Applicant Portal. Failure to update could result in missing important communication from the State Bar. 

Release of results

Results from the February 2023 bar exam are scheduled to be released through the Applicant Portal to applicants at 6:00 p.m. on May 5, 2023. Applicants can also access the pass list on the State Bar website.

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