Bar Exam No Longer a Requirement to Practice Law in Washington State

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the bar exam will no longer be a requirement to become a lawyer in the state. A timeline for this change has not been set yet.

Key Details: According to the ruling, prospective lawyers will no longer have to take the National Conference of Bar Examiners test to receive a license in Washington. The Washington Bar Licensure Task Force, appointed in 2020 to examine the issue, found that the exam blocks marginalized groups from becoming practicing attorneys and is "at best minimally effective" for ensuring competency.

Key Quote: "With these alternative pathways, we recognize that there are multiple ways to ensure a competent, licensed body of new attorneys who are so desperately needed around the state," said Washington Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis. The Washington Bar Licensure Task Force wrote, "In addition to the racism and classism written into the test itself the time and financial costs of the test reinforce historical inequities in our profession."

For Context: Oregon is also not requiring the bar exam, and four other states are examining alternative pathways to licensure (Nevada, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Utah).

How the Media Covered it: Sources across the political spectrum noted that the goal of this decision was to reduce barriers and promote the cause of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).