07/31/2024—Georgia to Adopt NextGen Bar Exam

Atlanta, July 31, 2024 - The Supreme Court of Georgia has determined that individuals applying to become licensed attorneys in Georgia will take the "NextGen" integrated bar examination starting in July 2028.

The bar exam administered to attorneys seeking licensure in Georgia is currently comprised of the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), which are prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), as well as a Georgia-specific essay component that is prepared by the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners. Georgia plans to retain a Georgia-specific component following the transition to the NextGen exam.

In October 2023, NCBE announced that it would continue to prepare the MBE and MPT through the February 2028 bar exam and that afterward it would offer only the previously announced NextGen Bar Exam. In its March 2023 report, the Georgia Lawyer Competency Task Force recommended that the Supreme Court adopt the NextGen Bar Exam "following the anticipated discontinuation of the Multistate Bar Examination and the Multistate Practice Test." The decision to adopt the NextGen Bar Exam starting in July 2028 is a result of the Supreme Court's ongoing review and consideration of the recommendations included in the Georgia Lawyer Competency Task Force's final report.

"Our Court is continually evaluating and considering the best way to license attorneys in Georgia," Chief Justice Michael Boggs said. "Based on the information we have at this time, the Court has concluded that the NextGen Bar Exam is the most logical path forward starting in July 2028. We thank the deans of the Georgia law schools for their feedback and partnership throughout this decision-making process."

Traditionally, Georgia administers the bar exam twice a year in February and July, with testing spanning two consecutive days. This same timeline will remain in effect once Georgia begins administering the NextGen Bar Exam in conjunction with the Georgia-specific component in July 2028.

Also starting in 2028, third-year law students will be eligible to sit for the bar exam in February during their final semester of law school, a practice that previously had been allowed by the Court from 1974 until 1997. Under the current rules, an applicant who graduates from law school in May cannot sit for the bar examination until July and may not be admitted to the practice of law until the fall, when bar exam results are released. This change was also suggested by the Lawyer Competency Task Force, which recommended that "third-year law students should again be permitted to sit for the bar examination during their last semester of study, although they should not be admitted to practice until after graduation."

"In deciding to reinstate this practice, the Court hopes to ease the financial burden placed on aspiring lawyers who are nearing the end of law school by allowing those who are qualified to be employable sooner," Chief Justice Boggs said. "The Court also hopes resuming this practice will be beneficial to state agencies, as well as district attorney and public defender offices, that are looking to hire qualified candidates to fill vacancies across the State and especially in rural areas."

For more information:

• Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law
• Supreme Court of Georgia Office of Bar Admissions