July 2026 Florida bar exam will retain the Multistate Bar Examination
Rachelle Munson
The Florida Board of Bar Examiners will retain the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) for the July 2026 Florida bar exam.
Earlier this year, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) confirmed that it would launch its NextGen Bar Exam in July 2026. The NCBE has stated that it intends for the NextGen Bar Exam to eventually replace the MBE, which has been part of the Florida bar examination since 1972.
The July 2026 launch date for the NextGen Exam led to inquiries about whether the Florida Board of Bar Examiners would use the MBE or the NextGen Exam in July 2026. At its June 2023 meeting, the Board of Bar Examiners board decided to continue using the MBE on the July 2026 exam.
“The board felt that it was important for incoming law students to know whether they should expect the MBE or another exam,” Chair Rachelle Munson said. “Law schools also benefit from knowing this information now as they make curriculum decisions for the Class of 2026.”
The board’s decision to retain the MBE in July 2026 was part of its ongoing review of the Florida bar examination. In June 2022, the board published a Practice Analysis Report, which collected input from more than 21,000 Bar members about the knowledge and skills required of new Florida lawyers. The board’s review of the bar exam already has resulted in changes to the Florida law part of the exam. In March 2023, the board published revised test specifications for the exam and announced that two subjects — Trusts and UCC Articles 3 and 9 — would be tested primarily by multiple-choice beginning in July 2023.
The board appointed a committee to monitor the NCBE’s progress on the NextGen Exam and consider whether Florida should adopt the NextGen Exam.
“We look forward to hearing more from the NCBE about the NextGen exam,” said Vice Chair Mindy McNichols. “We thank all of the Bar members who participated in the Practice Analysis study, which continues to be an invaluable resource for evaluating NextGen, and evaluating other aspects of the Florida bar exam.”
