New Alternative to the Bar Exam
Learn more about the implementation of alternative pathways to lawyer licensure in Washington state.
On March 15, 2024, the Washington Supreme Court filed two orders approving alternative pathways to lawyer licensure: order 25700-B-710 adopting the NextGen Bar Exam starting with the July 2026 examination and reducing the minimum UBE passing score in Washington from 270 to 266 for all bar exams administered from July 2020 through the implementation of the NextGen Bar Exam, and order 25700-B-711 adopting in concept the recommendations from the Washington Bar Licensure Task Force relating to alternative assessments for admission to practice law in lieu of the bar exam.
The Supreme Court also directed the Executive Director of the WSBA to convene and support an implementation committee to propose rule changes and identify next steps necessary to implement the recommendations.
Prospective Applicants
The recommended alternative pathways to licensure, adopted in concept by the Court, have not been implemented yet. Therefore, currently there is no application available for these alternative pathways.
Continue to check here for more information as it becomes available. Please email alternativepathways@wsba.org for any other questions.
Resources
Washington Bar Licensure Task Force
Washington Supreme Court Order on Task Force Recommendations
New Pathways to Lawyer Licensure, Washington State Bar News, July 10, 2024
New Pathways to Lawyer Licensure: Part II, Washington State Bar News, Sept.11, 2024
Gateway Evolution: Introducing the NextGen Bar Exam, Bar News, Nov. 16, 2023
In Support of Other Options in Addition to the Bar Exam, Bar News Column by WSBA Gov. Jordan Couch, Nov. 16, 2023
A Deep Dive Into Bar Admission Processes, Bar News Column by WSBA Executive Director Terra Nevitt, Nov.16, 2023
The Bar Exam: An Urgent Need for Alternative Pathways to Licensure, Washington State Bar News, Nov. 16, 2023
Reflections on the Bar Exam: The Only Indicator of Competence? Bar News Column by WSBA Executive Director Terra Nevitt, Nov. 9, 2022
