At its May 22–23 meeting, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees discussed guiding principles for future decisions around the content and administration of the bar exam, ultimately approving a resolution affirming those principles and asking the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) to do the same.
At its May 9 meeting, the State Bar Board of Trustees recommended expanding the Provisional Licensure Program (PLP) to applicants who withdrew or were unsuccessful in the February 2025 Bar Exam. Other approved remedies include a proposed path to licensure for attorneys barred in other states, expedited special admissions, and a fee waiver extension. The Board also asked the Committee of Bar Examiners to consider additional adjustments based on applicant feedback. Exam results showed increased pass rates across all groups. The Board also took action on leadership succession and issued a statement defending the right to legal counsel in response to recent federal actions.
The State Bar Board of Trustees has approved exam software and testing locations for the in-person July 2025 California Bar Exam as it continues efforts to improve the test-taking experience and find appropriate remedies for those impacted by issues experienced during the February exam.
After hearing approximately two hours of public comment at its March 5 meeting, primarily from test takers reporting serious problems they encountered during the February 2025 California Bar Exam, the State Bar Board of Trustees directed the general counsel to retain an independent investigator to conduct a privileged investigation into the issues relating to the exam.
The Board of Trustees, at its February 21 meeting, approved a plan to offer a free July 2025 Bar Exam to test takers who withdraw from the February 2025 exam or fail next week’s test.
At its November 14 meeting, the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees approved a proposed rule change that would automatically expunge nondisbarment attorney discipline records after eight years, assuming no further discipline has since occurred. The rule change now goes to the California Supreme Court for review and approval.
At its September 19, 2024, meeting, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees approved establishing a 2025 offer and compromise program, which conservatively could generate $9 million–$11 million by providing current and former attorneys the option to settle their State Bar debt at a discounted rate.
At its July 18 meeting, the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees voted to authorize the Board Chair and Executive Director to negotiate terms of and, if appropriate, execute a five-year bar exam agreement not to exceed $8.25 million with Kaplan North America, LLC.
At its meeting on May 16, the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees approved a plan to automatically expunge nondisbarment attorney discipline records after eight years, assuming no further discipline has since occurred.
At its meeting March 21–22, the State Bar of California Board of Trustees approved a request for an increase in the 2025 mandatory licensing fee of $125 per active licensee.
