National Conference of Bar Examiners Faces Criticism Over Bar Exam Failures in Washington and Missouri
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is under scrutiny following significant issues during the bar exam in Washington and Missouri. On July 28, 2026, technical failures led to the cancellation of the exam in Washington, affecting 645 applicants, while Missouri experienced severe delays. These problems have sparked criticism from the legal community, questioning the competence of state bar associations and the NCBE, which introduced a new computer-based exam format. The NCBE acknowledged the issues but stated that the majority of testing locations operated without incident. Washington state is considering options for affected applicants, including a retake in September or a refund. The state's law schools are petitioning for emergency diploma privileges to mitigate the impact on students' careers. 
