From July 2026 the “NextGen” Bar Exam will begin replacing the current Uniform Bar Examination, fundamentally changing how lawyers qualify across the United States. This significant change places greater emphasis on the practical skills and knowledge required for practising law in the modern world. Below we discuss everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to qualifying as a lawyer in the US.
Written by Grant Longstaff. Published 18 May 2026.
Changes to US Bar qualification
For decades, the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) was the gold standard, but it’s officially being phased out and replaced with the new "NextGen" Bar Exam, being rolled out from July 2026. This marks the most significant change to US attorney licensing in over 50 years.
What is changing in the NextGen Bar Exam?
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is moving away from closed book rote memorisation. The new focus is on "minimum competency", which aims to prioritise skills over memorisation and essentially focuses on your ability to do the job of a day-one lawyer.
Instead of separate, disconnected sections, the exam will use an integrated model. This means you’ll be asked to handle tasks that mirror work in a real-life legal practice, like spotting issues in a client memo or drafting a brief.
You should also expect a much greater focus on legal research, client counselling and negotiation. UK law students often already have a strong foundation in these skills through the Legal Practice Course and Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Good news if you’re hoping to retrain as a lawyer in the US.
How will the NextGen Bar Exam differ from the UBE?
The NextGen exam is narrowing the scope of law you’ll need to memorise and will instead prioritise only the most essential practice areas. There will also be a shift from only sitting multiple choice assessments and writing essays. The NextGen Bar Exam will have “prototype” questions, designed to test your ability to think on your feet.
What do I need to know about the NextGen Bar Exam?
Because US states are adopting the NextGen Bar Exam at different speeds, your choice of jurisdiction is more critical than ever. If you’re hoping to take our US Bar Preparation Course and sit the bar exam in New York or California, it’s important to note New York will move to the NextGen Bar Exam in July 2028. Prior to this date you’ll sit the current UBE.
On the other hand, California never adopted the UBE and have their own bar exam, the Californian Bar Examination. The state is still investigating whether or not to adopt the NextGen bar exam beginning July 2028. Check The State Bar of California website for more information and updates.
If you’re familiar with the SQE in the UK, the NextGen focus on "functioning legal knowledge" and practical skills might actually feel more intuitive than the old UBE format.
Recent Legislative Changes in the US
We recently spoke with Carl Gillen from Themis, our partner for the US bar prep course, about the recent changes in US law. Below he’s highlighted some of the most significant changes and how they reshape the legal landscape in the US.
Regulatory shift
“It’s not just about new laws; it’s about how law is practised. We’re seeing a significant push in several US states (like Utah and Arizona) to relax "unauthorised practice of law" rules, allowing for more innovative legal service models. Texas has moved to end reliance on the American Bar Association (ABA) as the sole gatekeeper for law school approval for bar eligibility and Florida has amended bar-admissions rules to remove the ABA as the only recognised accreditor. Tennessee has also publicly explored similar changes and solicited input on reforms that could loosen ABA reliance.”
Data Privacy as a pillar of law
“With the expansion of state-level privacy acts, like the California Consumer Privacy Act and The California Privacy Rights Act, "Privacy Law" is no longer a niche, it’s a core competency. For a UK student, having a grasp of how these US state laws interact with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a massive competitive advantage.
Trends in US law firms
The “return to office” tug of war
“While many US firms are pushing for four days in office, the market is still remarkably flexible. Candidates should look for firms that value “intentional presence" - meaning you’re in the office for mentorship and collaboration, not just to sit at a desk.”
Focus on wellness
“There is a genuine, industry-wide shift toward mental health and billable hour transparency. Firms are starting to realise the "churn and burn" model isn't sustainable for the next generation of global lawyers.”
Legal tech & AI
“Firms are looking for AI-literate juniors who can use Large Language Models (LLMs) for first-pass document review or research while maintaining strict ethical oversight.
In addition, US firms are increasingly adopting tech that automates the “boring stuff”, such as transactional workflows and basic drafting. As a new hire, your value won't be in your speed at manual tasks, but in your ability to provide the human judgement tech lacks.
Final thoughts
“More than ever, US firms want candidates who can hit the ground running. This is why the NextGen Bar Exam is shifting toward skills and why your focus should be on practical internships and skill-based learning.
Your biggest asset as a UK law student is your ability to bridge the gap between two of the world's most influential legal systems. Don't just learn US law. Learn the business of US law: how firms bill, how they pitch and how they build client relationships.”
If you’re considering a career as a lawyer in the US, our US Bar Prep Course is the perfect launchpad.
