The Nevada Supreme Court has issued an order inviting public comments in Administrative Order ADKT 0594 regarding the administration of the Nevada Bar Exam. The Nevada bar examination is currently comprised of a multistate multiple choice exam (MBE) constructed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and essay questions and performance tests created by the Nevada Board of Bar Examiners. The NCBE has adopted the NextGen bar examination beginning in July 2026, which will preclude Nevada from continuing the current format for the Nevada bar examination. The NextGen examination will include multiple choice questions, integrated question sets, and performance tests in one all-inclusive format. Further information regarding the NextGen bar examination can be found at https://nextgenbarexam.ncbex.org/.
On March 9, 2022, the Nevada Supreme Court created the Commission to Study the Administration of the Bar Examination and Licensing of Attorneys to study issues and concerns arising from the methodology and administration of the bar examination and licensing procedures for attorneys practicing in Nevada. Subsequently, at the commission’s request, the court appointed the Foundational Subject Requirement and Performance Test Implementation Task Force to develop plans for multiple choice and performance tests, and the Supervised Practice Task Force to consider whether supervised practice should be a requirement for licensure.
The task forces filed a joint report on April 2, 2024, in which they recommended restructuring the Nevada bar examination to include the following three-component assessment:
- A 100-question, closed-book, multiple-choice examination testing foundational concepts drawn from the seven subjects currently tested on the MBE;
- A performance examination consisting of three two-hour performance tests similar to those on the current Nevada bar examination; and
- A supervised practice component that ensures candidates possess lawyering competencies that are difficult to measure on written exams.
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) would remain a requirement for licensure. After completing 42 credits of their Juris Doctor curriculum, candidates would be able to take the multiple choice examination. Candidates would be able to satisfy the supervised practice component after qualifying for a level two student license (or equivalent in other jurisdictions). The performance examination would be administered after graduation. The task forces’ report can be found on the court’s website at https://nvcourts.gov/supreme.
The court invites written comment from the bench, bar, and public regarding how the court should proceed in the administration of the Nevada bar examination and licensing procedures for attorneys practicing in Nevada. Comments may be submitted to Elizabeth A. Brown, Clerk of the Supreme Court, 201 South Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701. On July 5, 2024, the Nevada Supreme Court entered an order inviting public comment in this matter until August 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The time to file comments from the bench, bar, and public has been extended until August 16, 2024, at 5 p.m. Comments may be submitted to the court in hard-copy format or electronically to nvscclerk@nvcourts.nv.gov.