Number of People Attempted Bar Exam by State in United States

The number of people attempting the bar exam varies significantly by state, with New York leading at 10,392 candidates, followed by California with 8,291. This analysis explores bar exam participation across the United States, highlighting the states with the highest and lowest numbers of test-takers.

Which States Have the Highest Bar Exam Participation?

The top five states by number of bar exam candidates include:
New York - 10,392
California - 8,291
Texas - 3,323
Florida - 2,892
District of Columbia - 2,520
These states have large legal markets, multiple law schools, and high demand for legal professionals.

Which States Have the Fewest Bar Exam Candidates?

The lowest participation states include:
Vermont - 49
Wyoming - 52
Alaska - 66
North Dakota - 68
South Dakota - 80
These states have smaller populations, fewer law schools, and lower overall demand for new attorneys.

What Factors Influence Bar Exam Participation?

States with major metropolitan areas and multiple law schools tend to have higher numbers of bar exam candidates.
The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) has made some states more attractive for test-takers due to score portability.
Economic and job market conditions influence the number of applicants in a given year.

How Do Bar Exam Attempts Compare Across Regions?

The Northeast has the highest concentration of test-takers, with New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania ranking in the top 10.
The South has high participation in states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas due to strong legal markets.
Western states like California and Washington see large numbers of candidates due to population size and law school presence.

What Are the Trends in Bar Exam Participation?

The number of test-takers has fluctuated in recent years due to changing law school enrollment trends.
Some states have seen declines in bar exam participation as alternative legal career paths emerge.
With ongoing discussions about bar exam reform, the number of applicants may shift depending on licensing changes.