History of the Bar Exam

Passing the bar exam is a requirement to become a practicing attorney. But why is that the case? The Law Library of Congress explored the history of the bar exam in the U.S. in a couple recent blog posts.

The first discusses how the bar exam came about: The History of the U.S. Bar Exam, Part I – The Law’s Gatekeeper.

The second highlights the first person of color and the first woman to be admitted: The History of the U.S. Bar Exam, Part II – The Gate Openers.

Oregon has approved an alternative path for some law students to be admitted without taking the bar. It joined New Hampshire and Wisconsin in offering this path for some students who intend to practice within their respective states. “Oregon approves alternative to bar exam,” ABA Journal, Nov. 8, 2023.