February 2026 bar exam results have been released across most US jurisdictions as of early May 2026. California released results on May 1 with a 30.8% overall pass rate. Pennsylvania passed 46%, Missouri passed 51%, and Idaho passed 46%. The national MBE mean score was 131.2, announced by NCBE on March 25, 2026. States still pending results are expected to post within the next few weeks.
If you took the February 2026 bar exam, the wait is mostly over.
Results have been rolling out across the country since early April, with most jurisdictions now posting their pass lists and official pass rates. Some states are still pending — but the majority of February examinees now have their answer.
This page tracks the release dates, pass rates, and key data for every state that has posted February 2026 bar exam results. Bookmark it — we are updating as new state results are confirmed.
February 2026 Bar Exam Results — State by State
Here is what has been confirmed so far, organized alphabetically. States that have not yet released results are noted with their expected timeline.
Alabama
Results Released: April 24, 2026
Pass Rate: Not yet publicly reported
How to Check: Pass list posted on Alabama State Bar website
Score Details: All applicants receive a score summary via mail a few days after results — includes UBE, MBE, MEE, and MPT breakdown
Alaska
Results Released: April 29, 2026
Pass Rate: Not yet publicly reported
How to Check: Alaska Bar Association website — results posted within 90 days of exam
Passing Score: 272/400
California – Most Watched
Results Released: May 1, 2026
Overall Pass Rate: 30.8%
First-Time Takers Pass Rate: 43.9%
Repeat Takers Pass Rate: 23.1%
Total Examinees: 3,931 completed the GBX
Total Passers: 1,211 (GBX) + 272 (Attorneys’ Exam)
California’s 30.8% overall pass rate is lower than both February 2024 (33.9%) and February 2023 (32.5%). The pass rate for first-time takers was 43.9%, slightly lower than February 2024 (44.8%) and February 2023 (44.5%). Repeat test takers made up 62.9% of all test takers, down from about 70–71% in the prior three February administrations.
The State Bar noted that the February 2025 pass rate of 63.6% was much higher due to various scoring adjustments and remedial measures taken to address technological issues applicants experienced during that exam — making 2025 an outlier year. The 2026 numbers reflect a return to California’s typical February range.
How to Check Your Result: Log into the California State Bar Applicant Portal at calbar.ca.gov. The pass list is also available alphabetically on the State Bar website.
Georgia
Results Released: April 17, 2026
Pass Rate: Not yet publicly reported
How to Check: Georgia Bar Admissions website
Expected Timeline for July Results: Late October 2026
Idaho
Results Released: April 14, 2026
Pass Rate: 46%
How to Check: Successful applicants list posted on Idaho State Bar website after 9:00 AM Mountain Time on release day. MBE scores available upon written request.
Passing Score: 272/400
Missouri
Results Released: April 8, 2026
Pass Rate: 51%
How to Check: Names of passing applicants posted in the Announcements section at mble.org
Score Details: A Report of Exam Scaled Scores showing scaled essay, scaled MBE, and total UBE score is posted to all applicants’ homepages
Passing Score: 260/400
Ohio
Results Released: April 24, 2026
Pass Rate: Not yet publicly reported
How to Check: Complete list of names published to the Supreme Court of Ohio website
Pennsylvania
Results Released: April 10, 2026
Pass Rate: 46%
How to Check: Press Release of Successful Applicants on Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners website. Official notification sent via US Postal Service.
Score Details: Full score summary sheet with MBE and essay breakdown available to all examinees
Passing Score: 272/400
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky
Results Released: April 3, 2026 (among first states to release)
Pass Rate: Specific percentages still being compiled for comprehensive overview. Initial reports indicate Iowa showed slight improvement in first-time pass rate compared to previous February exam. Kansas overall pass rate remained consistent with historical averages.
Check: Each state’s bar admissions website directly
States Still Pending — When to Expect Results
Not every state has released results yet. Bar exam results are typically released 1 to 3 months after the exam administration, with smaller jurisdictions releasing results sooner and larger ones with more examinees taking longer.
| State | Typical February Timeline | Expected Window |
|---|---|---|
| New York | ~10 weeks | Late April — Early May 2026 |
| Texas | ~12 weeks | May 2026 |
| Florida | ~12 weeks | May 2026 |
| Illinois | ~12 weeks | May 2026 |
| Massachusetts | ~13 weeks | May — June 2026 |
| Virginia | ~12 weeks | May 2026 |
| Washington | ~12 weeks | May 2026 |
| Colorado | ~10 weeks | Late April — May 2026 |
We are updating this page as new state results are confirmed. If your state is not listed, check directly with your jurisdiction’s Board of Bar Examiners or state Supreme Court website.
National MBE Mean Score — February 2026
The National Conference of Bar Examiners announced on March 25, 2026 that the national mean scaled score for the February 2026 Multistate Bar Examination was 131.2. A total of 18,063 examinees took the February 2026 MBE — an increase of 2,713 compared to the 15,350 who took it in February 2025, but a decrease of 1,433 compared to February 2024 when 19,496 examinees sat.
The February 2026 MBE mean of 131.2 represents an increase of 0.4 points compared to the February 2025 mean of 130.8. However, NCBE noted that comparability is somewhat limited because California elected to administer its own multiple-choice questions in February 2025, excluding its examinees from the 2025 national pool.
The February 2024 national mean — which did include California — was 131.8, making 2026’s 131.2 slightly below that benchmark but broadly consistent with recent administrations.
Why February Pass Rates Are Always Lower Than July
If the February 2026 numbers look low compared to what you have seen reported for July exams, that is expected — and it happens every year.
February pass rates are often lower than July due to a higher proportion of repeat test-takers who do not change their study strategy. The July exam draws mostly recent law school graduates sitting for the first time — who statistically pass at higher rates. The February cohort includes more repeat takers, career changers, and candidates coming off a July failure.
California’s numbers illustrate this clearly. Repeat test takers made up 62.9% of all February 2026 California test takers. That alone explains a significant portion of the lower overall pass rate.
This is not a sign that the February exam was harder. It reflects who takes it.
How to Check Your Bar Exam Results
Every jurisdiction has a slightly different process. Here is the general approach:
UBE Jurisdictions — Log into your NCBE account at ncbex.org. Submit a Transcript Services Request with your exam details. Your score report will show whether you passed, your total score, and your MBE scaled score.
Non-UBE Jurisdictions — You will receive your results directly from the jurisdiction’s Board of Bar Examiners. Check your state bar’s official website under “results,” “grades,” or “bar admissions.”
California specifically — Log into the State Bar Applicant Portal at calbar.ca.gov using your applicant and file numbers. The portal shows only whether your name is on the pass list, not your score.
In most states, there is no limit on the number of bar exam attempts. However, some jurisdictions impose limits — either absolute limits or discretionary ones where additional attempts may require special permission. If you are planning to retake, check your specific state’s retake rules before registering.
What to Do If You Passed
Congratulations — but you are not done yet.
Passing the bar exam is one requirement for admission. Most states also require character and fitness clearance, MPRE passage, and completion of any state-specific components before you can be sworn in. Check your jurisdiction’s admissions checklist and complete any outstanding requirements as quickly as possible.
California passers should check their admission status on the State Bar portal. Once you satisfy all requirements, your name will be placed on the motion to the Supreme Court of California. After the State Bar receives the signed motion from the Court, you will be sent an electronic oath card to your preferred email.
What to Do If You Did Not Pass
This is a hard moment. But it is important to separate the emotion from the next steps.
The first thing to do is get your score breakdown. Most UBE jurisdictions provide a report showing your MBE score, essay score, and MPT score separately. Understanding where you fell short tells you exactly where to focus next time.
The July 2026 exam is on July 28–29. That gives you approximately 80 days from now. That is enough time to make a meaningful difference — if you change what was not working, not just repeat the same approach.
One important note for July 2026 takers: NCBE will launch the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination in July 2026 in 10 jurisdictions. If your state is one of them, you will be taking a different exam format. Check ncbex.org to confirm whether your jurisdiction is switching to NextGen in July.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were February 2026 bar exam results released?
Results began releasing in early April 2026 in faster jurisdictions and are continuing through May. Iowa, Kansas, and Kentucky were among the first, releasing April 3. California released May 1. Most jurisdictions release within 8 to 13 weeks of the exam date.
What was the California bar exam pass rate for February 2026?
The State Bar of California reported that 30.8% of exam takers passed the February 2026 General Bar Examination. The first-time taker pass rate was 43.9% and the repeat taker pass rate was 23.1%.
What was the national MBE mean for February 2026?
The national mean scaled score for the February 2026 MBE was 131.2, announced by NCBE on March 25, 2026. This is an increase of 0.4 points from the February 2025 mean of 130.8.
Why is the February bar exam pass rate lower than July?
The February cohort has a higher percentage of repeat takers compared to July, which is dominated by recent law school graduates sitting for the first time. First-time takers consistently pass at higher rates, pulling July’s overall numbers up. The February exam itself is not harder.
How do I check my February 2026 bar exam score?
For UBE jurisdictions, log into your NCBE account at ncbex.org and submit a Transcript Services Request. For non-UBE states, check your jurisdiction’s Board of Bar Examiners website directly. California results are accessed through the State Bar Applicant Portal at calbar.ca.gov.
When are July 2026 bar exam results expected?
For July examinees, results are generally released in late October for most states. California has confirmed November 6, 2026 for July 2026 results. Other states typically follow between September and December depending on jurisdiction size.
Can I retake the bar exam if I failed February 2026?
Yes. The next administration is July 28–29, 2026. Registration is open now in most jurisdictions. Check your state bar’s website for the specific registration deadline — many close 6 to 8 weeks before the exam date. Review your score breakdown first to target your weakest areas before re-registering.
Bottom Line
February 2026 bar exam results are largely out. California’s 30.8% overall pass rate is the headline number — but it reflects the typical February pattern of a repeat-heavy examinee pool more than it reflects exam difficulty.
If you passed, complete your remaining admission requirements and get sworn in. If you did not, get your score breakdown, assess what needs to change, and register for July 2026 with enough time to prepare differently.
This page will continue to update as remaining state results are confirmed. Check back for the latest pass rates as they are officially reported.
Official Resources:
- NCBE Bar Exam Results by Jurisdiction: ncbex.org — Results by Jurisdiction
- California State Bar Results: calbar.ca.gov — Bar Exam Results
- NCBE February 2026 MBE Mean Announcement: ncbex.org — Feb 2026 MBE Mean
Last Updated: May 5, 2026. This page is updated as new state results are officially confirmed. Always verify your specific result through your jurisdiction’s official Board of Bar Examiners website or the NCBE portal.
Meet Deepkant, he has been writing content since 2020. Over the years he has worked across more than ten websites — mostly covering job updates, career guidance, and government schemes — which gave him a solid grip on how to break down complicated topics for everyday readers.
At NextExamNews, he writes guides, exam updates, and result-related articles covering major US exams. He tries to keep every article easy to read and straight to the point.
On the personal side, he is currently learning performance marketing and AI and finding ways to bring both into his content creation.