California bar exam requirements
California gives its own bar exam, not the UBE: California essays and a performance test plus the 200-question MBE, scored out of 2,000 with 1,390 to pass. The next exam is February 23-24, 2027, in person. California requires the highest MPRE score in the country (86) and plans to adopt the NextGen UBE in July 2028, per NCBE.
Sources: State Bar of California and NCBE’s Comprehensive Guide, checked October 11, 2026. Application fees as reported; confirm on calbar.ca.gov.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| February 2027 timely deadline | November (NCBE) |
| February 2027 late filing | December 1, 2026 to January 4, 2027, with a $250 late fee |
| Withdrawal | From mid-December to February 9, 2027: no refund |
| Exam application fee | About $850-$878 (reported) |
| Moral character application | About $900 (reported) |
| Law student registration | About $155 (reported) |
| Attorneys’ Examination | About $1,650 (reported); shorter exam for eligible attorneys |
Dates and late fee from the State Bar of California; other fees as reported by bar prep providers.
Requirements
- Not portable: California scores can’t be transferred to UBE states, and California doesn’t accept UBE scores.
- MPRE: 86 or higher, reported directly to the State Bar by NCBE.
- Moral character: a separate determination from the State Bar.
- Exam day: complete ExamSoft registration and the mandatory mock exam by February 19 if using a laptop.
Official source & community discussion
State Bar of California: February 2027 exam (official) →
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