Amended IN Assembly April 01, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 20, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 484Introduced by Assembly Member DixonFebruary 10, 2025An act to repeal and add amend Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to attorneys.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 484, 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, 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.This bill would repeal that prohibition and, instead, would require the examining committee, on January 1, 2028, to replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. require the State Bar, prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, to complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature. The bill would require the cost-benefit analysis to include, among other information, the cost of implementing the alteration and any new technological requirements necessary to administer or take the examination.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.(c)(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.SECTION 1.Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.SEC. 2.Section 6046.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:6046.6.On January 1, 2028, the examining committee shall replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Amended IN Assembly April 01, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 20, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 484Introduced by Assembly Member DixonFebruary 10, 2025An act to repeal and add amend Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to attorneys.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 484, 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, 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.This bill would repeal that prohibition and, instead, would require the examining committee, on January 1, 2028, to replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. require the State Bar, prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, to complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature. The bill would require the cost-benefit analysis to include, among other information, the cost of implementing the alteration and any new technological requirements necessary to administer or take the examination.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly April 01, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 20, 2025
Amended IN Assembly April 01, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 20, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 484
Introduced by Assembly Member DixonFebruary 10, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Dixon
February 10, 2025
An act to repeal and add amend Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to attorneys.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 484, 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, 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.This bill would repeal that prohibition and, instead, would require the examining committee, on January 1, 2028, to replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. require the State Bar, prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, to complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature. The bill would require the cost-benefit analysis to include, among other information, the cost of implementing the alteration and any new technological requirements necessary to administer or take the 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, 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.
This bill would repeal that prohibition and, instead, would require the examining committee, on January 1, 2028, to replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. require the State Bar, prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, to complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature. The bill would require the cost-benefit analysis to include, among other information, the cost of implementing the alteration and any new technological requirements necessary to administer or take the examination.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.(c)(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.SECTION 1.Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.SEC. 2.Section 6046.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:6046.6.On January 1, 2028, the examining committee shall replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.(c)(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.
SECTION 1. Section 6046.6 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.(c)(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.
6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.(c)(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.
6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.(c)(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.
6046.6. (a) The examining committee shall not alter 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 two years notice of that change. This requirement does not apply to a change in the bar examination that is applicable only at the option of the applicant.
(b) The examining committee shall communicate and cooperate with the Law School Council.
(c) (1) Prior to making any alterations to the bar examination, the State Bar shall complete a cost-benefit analysis and transmit the analysis to the Supreme Court and the Legislature.
(2) The cost-benefit analysis required by paragraph (1) shall address the following:
(A) The cost of implementing the alteration, including any savings that may result.
(B) Whether adopting a uniform bar examination, including, but not limited to, the National Conference of Bar Examiners Uniform Bar Examination, would be more efficient to administer and lower the cost of administration for the State Bar and examinees.
(C) Any new technological requirements necessary to administer or to take the examination as a result of the alteration.
(D) The projected number of in-person testing locations necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.
(E) The projected number of permanent and temporary staff necessary to administer the bar examination following the proposed alteration.
(F) Any additional costs to examinees and law schools as a result of the alteration.
(G) Any additional cost considerations that the State Bar deems necessary to fully evaluate any alteration to the bar examination.
(c)
(d) Scaling may be used on the bar examination for the purpose of maintaining an examination of uniform difficulty from year to year.
On January 1, 2028, the examining committee shall replace the California bar examination with the Uniform Bar Examination created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.