On September 29, 2025, the California Supreme Court issued an order approving amendments to the rules of court governing the bar exam, attorney admissions, and attorney civility. newsroom.courts.ca.gov+1 These changes follow earlier proposals and a public‐comment period from earlier in the year. newsroom.courts.ca.gov+1
What has changed?
The approved amendments affect several aspects of the admissions process for attorneys in California, including oversight of the bar exam, governance of the Committee of Bar Examiners (“CBE”), and a renewed emphasis on attorney civility. Some of the key changes include:
- Oversight of the Bar Exam
- The CBE must now review all exam questions under Rule 9.6(a)(1). supreme.courts.ca.gov+1
- The CBE must establish standards for selection of subject‐matter experts and validation panelists for new exam questions. supreme.courts.ca.gov
- The CBE must develop standards for accrediting third-party vendors who administer or proctor the exam (either in-person or online). supreme.courts.ca.gov+1
- Administrative and Fiscal Authority
- The CBE’s authority to issue subpoenas in admissions matters is confirmed (Rule 9.5(b)(1)). supreme.courts.ca.gov
- The CBE’s oversight of the Office of Admissions’ budget is restored (Rule 9.5(b)(2)). supreme.courts.ca.gov+1
- The CBE is authorized to set all admissions-related fees, including for the bar exam and law-school accreditation. (Rule 9.5(b)(5)). supreme.courts.ca.gov
- Governance and Appointment Procedures
- Clearer nomination and appointment procedures for CBE members are set out, including disqualification criteria. (Rule 9.4). supreme.courts.ca.gov+1
- The CBE must recommend any candidate being considered for the Chief of the Office of Admissions. (Rule 9.5(b)(3)). supreme.courts.ca.gov
- Examination Reform
- When the State Bar proposes changes to the bar exam, they must include a cost-benefit analysis, feasibility, staff resources, timeframe for implementation, and previous demonstration of efficacy under similar testing conditions. (Rule 9.6(b)). supreme.courts.ca.gov
- Judicial Review & Depublication
- New Rule 9.16.1 consolidates procedures for the Supreme Court’s review of State Bar-related matters. supreme.courts.ca.gov
- New Rule 9.16.2 establishes procedures for requests to depublish decisions of the State Bar Court. supreme.courts.ca.gov
- Attorney Civility
- The Court adopted amendments to Rule 9.7, now requiring attorneys to annually reaffirm the full attorney’s oath, including a pledge to uphold the U.S. and California Constitutions and a pledge of civility. supreme.courts.ca.gov+1
- The Court declined to adopt a definition of “incivility” that would make incivility itself a basis for discipline under the rules of professional conduct, citing vagueness and free‐speech concerns. supreme.courts.ca.gov
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