AB-2109 • 2026

California bar examination.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Dixon
Last action: 2026-03-25
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how existing applicants will be affected or what happens if there are future changes to the Uniform Bar Examination after January 1, 2029.

California Bar Exam Change

This law requires the State Bar of California to use a new standardized test called the Uniform Bar Examination for licensing attorneys starting January 1, 2029.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Bar of California to replace the current bar exam with the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Uniform Bar Examination on January 1, 2029.

Who It Names or Affects

People who want to become lawyers in California and need to take the bar exam.
The State Bar of California, which administers the exams.

Terms To Know

Uniform Bar Examination: A standardized test created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners for licensing lawyers in multiple states.
State Bar of California: The organization that regulates and licenses attorneys to practice law in California.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how the transition from the current exam to the new Uniform Bar Examination will affect existing applicants or their preparation.
The bill does not specify what happens if the Uniform Bar Examination changes after January 1, 2029.

Bill History

2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 24).
2026-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2109, as amended, Dixon.
California bar examination.
The State Bar Act provides for the licensure and regulation of attorneys by the State Bar of California, a public corporation governed by a board of trustees. Existing law authorizes the board of trustees to establish an examining committee, also known as the Committee of Bar Examiners, and requires an applicant for a license to practice law to pass the general bar examination, known as the California bar examination, given by the examining committee. Existing law prohibits the examining committee from altering the bar examination in a manner that requires the substantial modification of the training or preparation required for passage of the examination, except after giving 2 years’ notice of that change.
Existing law requires the Committee of Bar Examiners, on or before November 30, 2026, to provide a report to the board of trustees, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and to the Assembly and Senate Committees on Judiciary on whether adopting a uniform bar examination would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.
This bill would require the examining committee, on January 1, 2029, to replace the California bar examination with the
National Conference of Bar Examiners’
Uniform Bar Examination
created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
or any successor or replacement of that exam.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF