Attorney Exam Pass Rates by State (2026)
1 of 51 states publish an official first-attempt pass rate. Published rates range from 76.3% (Georgia) to 76.3% (Georgia), averaging 76%.
Represents clients in legal matters. Requires a JD, passing the bar exam (NCBE) in the licensing state, and character and fitness review. Rows without a figure are marked “not published” — we do not estimate rates that states have not released.
| Rank | State | First-attempt pass rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | 76.3% | Moderate |
| — | Alabama | not published | — |
| — | Alaska | not published | — |
| — | Arizona | not published | — |
| — | Arkansas | not published | — |
| — | California | not published | — |
| — | Colorado | not published | — |
| — | Connecticut | not published | — |
| — | Delaware | not published | — |
| — | District of Columbia | not published | — |
| — | Florida | not published | — |
| — | Hawaii | not published | — |
| — | Idaho | not published | — |
| — | Illinois | not published | — |
| — | Indiana | not published | — |
| — | Iowa | not published | — |
| — | Kansas | not published | — |
| — | Kentucky | not published | — |
| — | Louisiana | not published | — |
| — | Maine | not published | — |
| — | Maryland | not published | — |
| — | Massachusetts | not published | — |
| — | Michigan | not published | — |
| — | Minnesota | not published | — |
| — | Mississippi | not published | — |
| — | Missouri | not published | — |
| — | Montana | not published | — |
| — | Nebraska | not published | — |
| — | Nevada | not published | — |
| — | New Hampshire | not published | — |
| — | New Jersey | not published | — |
| — | New Mexico | not published | — |
| — | New York | not published | — |
| — | North Carolina | not published | — |
| — | North Dakota | not published | — |
| — | Ohio | not published | — |
| — | Oklahoma | not published | — |
| — | Oregon | not published | — |
| — | Pennsylvania | not published | — |
| — | Rhode Island | not published | — |
| — | South Carolina | not published | — |
| — | South Dakota | not published | — |
| — | Tennessee | not published | — |
| — | Texas | not published | — |
| — | Utah | not published | — |
| — | Vermont | not published | — |
| — | Virginia | not published | — |
| — | Washington | not published | — |
| — | West Virginia | not published | — |
| — | Wisconsin | not published | — |
| — | Wyoming | not published | — |
Sources: Georgia Office of Bar Admissions — July 2025 bar exam, first-time takers (770/1,009)
Frequently asked questions
Which states have the highest Attorney exam pass rate?
Based on the published first-attempt rates in our dataset, Georgia leads at 76.3%, and the published range runs from 76.3% to 76.3%.
Why is the Attorney pass rate "not published" for my state?
Most states do not release first-attempt exam pass rates. When a state publishes the figure, we show it with the source; otherwise the row is marked "not published" and you should ask the state board directly.
How hard is the Attorney exam overall?
Pass rates vary widely by state and are not consistently published. Focus on the highest-weighted content areas of your state's exam.
Does a low pass rate mean I will fail?
No. Published pass rates are first-attempt averages across all candidates, including those who take the exam without structured prep. Candidates who complete a study plan and practice questions pass at far higher rates than the aggregate figure suggests.
Compare Attorney data
Pass-rate figures are as published by state boards and commissions (retrieved 2026-08-20). “Not published” means the state has not released an official first-attempt figure — not that the rate is unknown to the board. Verify with your state board before making decisions.