On March 15, Washington State has initiated a significant shift in the legal profession by eliminating the requirement for prospective lawyers to pass the bar exam, a move aimed at addressing racial equity concerns and diversifying the legal field. The state's Supreme Court has approved alternative licensing pathways, citing the traditional bar exam's disproportionate and unnecessary barriers for Black individuals and other marginalized groups. This decision is part of a broader alternative licensure movement, with Washington, Colorado, and Minnesota transitioning to the Next Gen bar exam system by July 2026. Critics argue that the new system, which includes 500 hours of low-paid work, may undermine the profession's standards, while supporters believe it will make the legal profession more accessible and equitable.
The Washington State Supreme Court decision opening a way for lawyers to practice without passing the bar exam isn’t just about DEI. It’s about continuing to accept failing & racist school systems. Listen: https://t.co/l22nioTiPT
I don't understand the desire to junk the bar exam instead of making law school cheaper or shorter, or allowing people to read law again.
The Ingraham Angle - Lowering the bar: Future lawyers can skip bar exam in Washington State https://t.co/n79o4Wxa4x
The Supreme Court of Washington approved 'in concept' two new licensing pathways for law school graduates without taking the bar exam https://t.co/LmDWd1fiIU @Karen_Sloan1 https://t.co/igB2Zlhtif
Washington's bar reform is actually profoundly unfair to law students: they take on $150,000 in law school debt and then do *500 hours* of low-paid work while interest on that debt accrues to become a lawyer. The fairer route? Abolish law schools and keep the $800 exam. https://t.co/Q3dqHc7FWv
The bar exam will no longer be required to become a licensed attorney in Washington https://t.co/2a467IiW0f https://t.co/2a467IiW0f
The Supreme Court rules that you don’t need to pass the Bar Exam to practice law in Washington state 👀 This clownworld story and more on this morning’s edition of the Daily Disparch with .@HarrisonHSmith: https://t.co/z6LNYRyrIY
Washington Supreme Court rules prospective lawyers no longer have to pass "racist" bar exam, claims it "blocks marginalized groups" from practicing law https://t.co/JQuOWykbap https://t.co/JQuOWykbap
Washington Supreme Court rules prospective lawyers no longer have to pass 'racist' bar exam, claims it 'blocks marginalized groups' from practicing law https://t.co/oLx85l8hjV
Washington, Colorado and Minnesota have joined the list of states transitioning to the overhauled bar exam, in the coming years. More in The Daily Docket: https://t.co/9T5qkvUezh Subscribe: https://t.co/jDp2ZvA0ly https://t.co/jHb6ryJw77
Washington, Colorado and Minnesota have joined the list of states transitioning to the overhauled bar exam in the coming years. The State Supreme Court of Washington said it will begin using the Next Gen bar exam when it becomes available in July 2026 https://t.co/MUnpVXTD7F https://t.co/H6cdnf6RZC
Because of my self-imposed 3 minute rule, I didn't get to go into one more detail about Washington state working to eliminate the bar exam requirement over diversity issues. What if the SAME argument is made concerning medical board certification tests? Now THAT would be… https://t.co/FL5Fqp9xyb
Washington, Colorado and Minnesota have joined the list of states transitioning to the overhauled bar exam in the coming years @Karen_Sloan1 https://t.co/MUnpVXTD7F https://t.co/YZ0ctVvnz0
The Supreme Court of Washington approved several new ways for attorneys to become licensed that bypass the bar exam — adding momentum to the burgeoning alternative licensure movement @Karen_Sloan1 https://t.co/LmDWd1eKTm https://t.co/PpUvKqz686
Revamped bar exam gains traction as three more states sign on https://t.co/KkGCzS2wxV https://t.co/uk4H403YXs
The State Supreme Court of Washington on March 15 said it will begin using the so-called Next Gen bar exam when it becomes available in July 2026 https://t.co/MUnpVXT5i7
The Supreme Court of Washington approved two new licensing pathways for law school graduates adding momentum to the burgeoning alternative licensure movement https://t.co/LmDWd1eKTm https://t.co/gI8Sfqb3xd
PEOPLE. Stop acting like WA state will just hand out lawyer licenses. You can either take the bar exam or get licensed after working under an experienced attorney in your field!!! Oregon already does it. Other states are experimenting with it. STOP IT.
Passing bar exam no longer required for law license in Washington state because of 'race-equity concerns' https://t.co/rE2VXOh1vE
Washington, Colorado and Minnesota have joined the list of states transitioning to the overhauled bar exam in the coming years https://t.co/MUnpVXT5i7 https://t.co/02pSchsvAd
Looks like Washington (& Oregon) have now made it easier to become a lawyer than a licensed beautician… 😳🙄 https://t.co/qKvcUACTJn
Washington State Eliminates Bar Exam Requirement for Attorneys Read More: https://t.co/yY8NWmrmcL
The Washington Supreme Court ruled to adopt several recommendations made by the Washington Bar Licensure Task Force. https://t.co/CrfSCXbzR6
The Supreme Court of Washington has ruled that prospective lawyers will no longer be required to pass a bar exam to practice in the state. The decision was reportedly made because the bar exam was too difficult for "examinees of color." https://t.co/qqN3cAIOXC
The state of Washington's Supreme Court adopted a proposal for aspiring lawyers to skip the bar exam forging alternative pathways recommended to help make legal licenses more accessible to people of color and other historically marginalized groups. https://t.co/WQhtRJpWWV https://t.co/5pa5NhQNbs
Washington adopts new lawyer licensing paths as other states mull bar exam bypasses https://t.co/eeNjSEBMhS https://t.co/kQcYuuUqxQ
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion(DEI) now being cited as one of the primary reasons why bar exam will no longer be required to become an attorney in Washington State. https://t.co/kBo2JoM22z
The Supreme Court of Washington approved several new ways for attorneys to become licensed that bypass the bar exam — adding momentum to the burgeoning alternative licensure movement https://t.co/GK98Y2BmRb https://t.co/GSMfgIJWEo
This state high court has approved three ways to bypass the bar exam. https://t.co/1NWszy70tJ
Thist state high court has approved three ways to bypass the bar exam. https://t.co/TAOjMQ3GYk
EQUITY: Would you trust a lawyer who couldn’t pass the bar? WA has decided the traditional exam “disproportionally and unnecessarily blocks” Blacks from becoming practicing attorneys. h/t @1wishgenie1 https://t.co/AKDaxtFr6c
Bar exam will no longer be required to become attorney in Washington State https://t.co/IaKKLwRBsA
Washington Becomes Second State to Adopt Alternative Pathways to the Bar https://t.co/IWte1XRdEZ