Bar fees approved

The Recorder has Legislature Approves 2026 Lawyer License Fees, Restrictions on Future Bar Exams

• California lawmakers on Wednesday passed a 2026 lawyer licensing bill that will not raise fees but will require the state bar to use a national bar exam, and not a multiple-choice test written by a private vendor, at least until 2027.
• The state bar licensing bill, SB 253, keeps annual fees for active lawyers at the 2025 level of $598, which also includes statutorily required contributions for legal aid funding, substance abuse help for lawyers and other programs.