Bar exam cost in 2026
Bar exam costs $250 to $1,800 per first time application and exam fee in 2026, and most people pay about $654.
What moves the price
- Each state bar sets its own fees.
- Late filing adds extra charges.
- Character and fitness review is often a separate fee.
- Laptop or exam software fees are added in some states.
- Bar prep courses are the biggest extra cost.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
The fee covers the state application and the exam. The MPRE ethics test, character and fitness review, laptop software, fingerprints and swearing in are often extra. Bar prep courses are also a separate cost.
Bar exam application fees by state (first time takers)
| State | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | $878 | Plus $153 to $155 for laptop software; moral character application is $900 |
| Texas | $450 / $640 / $1,290 | Amounts are listed on the NCBE page without labels, likely by filing date |
| New York | $250 / $750 | Listed on the NCBE page without labels; one guide lists the application at $250 |
| Lowest states (Indiana, Iowa) | $250 | Per CaseCub |
| Highest state (Delaware) | $1,800 | Per CaseCub |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: NCBE.
Other costs for first time takers (CaseCub, January 2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Character and fitness | $250 to $600 |
| MPRE registration | $150 |
| Admission or swearing in | $100 to $300 |
| Laptop or exam software | $100 to $150 |
| Bar prep course | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| All in cost with bar prep | $4,000 to $7,000 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: NCBE.
Ways to pay less
- File the application early to avoid late fees.
- Ask law school about help with fees and bar prep.
- Compare the price of bar prep courses and use free options from the law school.
What price guides say
We checked 5 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
Bar exam costs $250 to $1,800 per first time application and exam fee in 2026, and most people pay about $654. Most people pay about $654 per first time application and exam fee. The low end is $250 and the high end is $1,800.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: Each state bar sets its own fees; Late filing adds extra charges; Character and fitness review is often a separate fee.
How can I pay less?
File the application early to avoid late fees. Ask law school about help with fees and bar prep. Compare the price of bar prep courses and use free options from the law school.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 5 named price guides: NCBE, NCBE, NCBE, CaseCub, BARBRI. Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
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