If you are planning to take the California bar exam in 2024 or later, please see this notice regarding fee increases and changes to testing locations.
Date: Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30–31, 2024
Please note that the July 2024 California Bar Examination will be held in person. Applicants will be required to select a testing location when applying in the Applicant Portal.
Instructions for applying Requesting testing accommodations Instructions for essay questions and performance test
Deadlines:
Time: All applicants must be seated no later than 8:20 a.m. on both days. The examination will begin immediately following the reading of instructions. Applicants should plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early to locate their assigned sections or rooms. Applicants must be seated no later than 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon sessions; instructions will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m.
The examination is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday at approximately 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday at approximately 5:00 p.m. End times may differ based on the length of time taken for the reading of instructions. Review the full schedule here.
Applicants granted extended time will have different schedules, which are communicated individually in advance of the exam through your Applicant Portal and email.
Additional information concerning the timing and other administrative rules and policies are contained in the admittance ticket bulletin that will be available on the State Bar website four weeks prior to the exam date.
Applicants are expected to know the California Rules of Professional Conduct in effect at the time the exam is administered (current law). The rules were substantially revised effective November 1, 2018. Minor amendments were made subsequent to that date. The latest amendments, amending Rule 1.1 [Competence] and Rule 5.4 [Financial and Similar Arrangements with Nonlawyers] were amended by the Supreme Court effective March 22, 2021. These rules are within the scope of the upcoming July 2024 California Bar Examination.
Application filings
Final filing/reinstatement deadline (Set by CA Bus. & Prof. Code, §6060.3)
Testing accommodations petition final filing deadline*
Appeal of testing accommodations final filing deadline
Test center change request deadline
Final deadline to submit proof of eligibility to sit for the exam
Final deadline for general applicants to submit proof of law study
Final deadline for attorney applicants to submit Certificate of Good Standing from another jurisdiction
*Applicants must submit their requests through the Applicant Portal. Requests must be complete, with all questions answered, and any supporting documentation included. Requests in ‘verified’ or ‘drafted’ status are not considered complete.
Withdrawals
Exam preparation and exam day
August 1, 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
*Applicants granted extended time to test, must upload their written session answers by noon the day after their exam concludes.
Strategies and Stories
Applicants whose physical or email address changes after filing their applications are encouraged to notify the Office of Admissions of a change of address as soon as possible. Applicants should update their admissions file with the new address by accessing their account through the Applicant Portal. Failure to update could result in missing important communication from the State Bar.
Results from the July 2024 bar exam are scheduled to be released through the Applicant Portal to applicants at 6:00 p.m. on November 8, 2024. Applicants can also access the pass list on the Exam Results webpage.