General

Phone Number

(Main Office): 415-538-2000 (LA Office): 213-765-1000

Email Address

admissions@calbar.ca.gov

Diploma Privilege

No

Prelegal education requirements

Yes; must complete at least 2 years of college or demonstrate equivalent intellectual achievement, including by scoring 50 or higher on the College-Level Examination Program exams

Legal education requirements

Applicant must have either attend a three or four year program at a law school accredited by the ABA; four years of study at a State Bar registered, fixed-facility school; four years of study with a minimum of 864 hours of preparation at a registered unaccredited distance-learning or correspondence law school; four years of study under the supervision of a state judge or attorney; or a combination of these programs.

Registration requirements, if applicable.

Must register with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of California and submit the moral character application.

Registration fee, if applicable.

$119 (not including late fees)

Limit on attempts?

No limit

Fee(s)

$677 for first time applicants

Are laptops allowed/required?

Allowed for an additional fee.

Laptop fee?

$153

Is courtesy seating allowed?

No.

Transfer fee?

Unclear.

Day-of Testing Procedures

An applicant testing at a Pearson VUE testing center must present a government-issued primary ID and a secondary ID. The primary ID must include a first and last name, recent recognizable photo, and signature. The secondary ID must include at least a first and last name and signature or first and last name and recent recognizable photo. The first and last name used to register must match exactly both IDs presented on test day. Any name corrections must be submitted through the NCBE Account Dashboard at least 48 hours before the first day of the test administration. Before entering the test room, Pearson VUE will collect a digital photograph and digital signature to verify identity. The applicant must consent to the NCBE Candidate Rules Agreement, which in part requires that if the applicant uses the restroom during testing, they must use “the restroom that is closest to the testing room” and pat themselves down (arms, legs, waistline) when leaving and re-entering the testing room. Applicants must also pat themselves down before entering the test room for the first time.

What security measures can applicants expect? Metal detectors? Bag search?

Testing is done at various centers with various security measures, including presenting a government-issued ID, visual inspection of items, and potential fingerprinting.