October 2026 First-Year Law Students’ Exam
Exam overview
The October 2026 First-Year Law Students’ Exam (FYLSX) will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The October 2026 exam will be administered primarily in person at Prometric test centers. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that measure the content areas of Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts. Of the 100 questions on the exam, 25 are new multiple-choice items pretested for operational use. Please visit the First-Year Law Students’ Exam Scope and Grading webpage for more information.
Applicants testing remotely will have access to virtual scratch paper through the Prometric platform. Applicants testing in person at Prometric test centers will have access to physical scratch paper.
Below are links to key information about the FYLSX:
- Instructions for applying
- Requesting testing accommodations
- Exam rules and policies published in the Admittance Ticket Bulletin
Testing center locations
Prometric test center locations in California are being finalized. Below is a list of anticipated locations.
| Bakersfield | San Diego |
| Fresno | San Francisco |
| Los Angeles | San Jose |
| Orange County | Stockton |
| Sacramento | Ventura |
| San Bernardino |
When submitting the application, out-of-state applicants and other candidates may request remote testing if there are no test sites near their residence. These requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants testing remotely are required to meet the minimum system requirements of the Prometric remote software and take a mandatory practice exam.
Exam rules and policies
Beginning on September 29, the State Bar will email applicants to notify them that they have been approved to sit for the exam and that their Admittance Ticket is available online. At that time, the State Bar will also share the Admittance Ticket Bulletin, which contains important information about exam rules and policies, including the list of permitted and prohibited items, identification verification procedures, rules for exam conduct, and tips to prepare for the test center temperature and noise.
Permitted and prohibited items
All applicants must bring a valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, state identification card, or passport) with them to each session of the exam. Applicants are encouraged to bring their Admittance Ticket with them to each session of the exam.
A comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items will be provided in the Admittance Ticket Bulletin. Applicants found with any prohibited items may have the item confiscated and will receive a conduct violation notice (Chapter 6 Notice) pursuant to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 6 of the Rules of the State Bar and the Guidelines Governing the Interpretation and Application of Chapter 6 of the Admissions Rules. Applicants who receive a Chapter 6 Notice may be subject to sanctions, including receiving a score of zero for the test session in which they are found to have the prohibited item.
Review the In-Person and Remote Testing Information webpage for detailed testing requirements and procedures.
Important dates and deadlines
| July 1 | Exam application opens |
| August 3 | Timely filing deadline |
| August 4–31 | $50 late filing fee applies |
| September 1–15 | Final window to apply; $250 final late filing fee applies |
Requests to withdraw from the October 2026 FYLSX must be received by the State Bar’s Office of Admissions on or before the dates listed below in order to qualify for a refund. See the Withdrawal Refund Policy.
| July 1–September 2 | Deadline to withdraw with 60% refund |
| September 3–17 | Deadline to withdraw with 30% refund |
| September 18–October 13 | Final deadline to withdraw from exam with 0% refund |
| September 29 | First day that exam Admittance Tickets become available Applicants can begin scheduling the practice exam via Prometric’s website Applicants can begin scheduling the FYLSX testing session via Prometric’s website |
| October 18 | Final date for in-person test takers to schedule their exam and secure a seat at a Prometric test center For applicants whose remote testing request was approved, this is the last day to schedule and complete the practice exam |
Other deadlines
| September 15 | Testing accommodations request: final filing deadline* Deadline to request to test remotely
|
| October 1 | Testing accommodations: final appeal filing deadline* |
| October 13 | Final deadline for law schools to submit proof of applicant eligibility to sit for the exam or for applicants who are required to submit a transcript or other required documentation to do so Final deadline for applicants to submit all documentation required for eligibility determination; no extensions or exceptions will be granted (first-time applicants only) Test center change request deadline |
| October 16 | Testing accommodations emergency request: final filing deadline* |
*Applicants must submit their requests through the Applicant Portal. Requests must be complete, with all questions answered, and any supporting documentation included. Requests in “verified” or “drafted” status are not considered complete.
Release of results
The results of the FYLSX for the June and October administrations are generally released in August and December, respectively. The State Bar will contact applicants by email with release date and time details as the release date approaches.
Exam result letters for applicants who completed the FYLSX will be available on the Applicant Portal for four weeks following the release of results.