State Bar Explains How Many Times Can You Take the California Bar Exam

State Bar Explains How Many Times Can You Take the California Bar Exam

By Marcus Vance, Local Politics Reporter | November 8, 2026 | State Bar Examination Policies

LOS ANGELES — Aspiring non-traditional law students across southern California face heightened scrutiny this week as historical records highlight the extreme difficulty of the state's legal licensing process. The renewed attention comes after public files detailed the academic path of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Unlimited Opportunities Under Current State Guidelines

According to an Entertainment Tonight broadcast, Villaraigosa failed the California Bar Exam four times before ultimately deciding to cease his pursuit of a law license. His historical struggle is frequently referenced alongside modern celebrity testing attempts under the state's non-traditional apprentice program.

Unlike several other jurisdictions that limit attempts, California law does not cap the number of testing cycles a candidate may enter. This policy allows candidates to continue registering for the exam as long as they pay the necessary fees.

State Bar Clarifies How Many Times Can You Take the California Bar Exam

"The absence of attempt limits ensures that all determined candidates have a pathway to practice law," California State Bar Office of Admissions Director Donna Hershkowitz said Thursday afternoon. Hershkowitz noted that while limits do not exist, the persistent failure rates prompt many applicants to self-select out of the process after multiple attempts.

This open-ended regulatory stance has allowed many applicants to sit for the exam five or more times. However, the financial and emotional toll of repeated attempts often leads candidates to pursue alternative careers in public service or business administration.

Administrative Barriers to Success Under State Bar Policies

For candidates attempting the exam multiple times, the financial burden continues to escalate. In addition to registration fees, applicants must pay for updated prep materials to account for changes in state statutes and testing structures.

These ongoing challenges are detailed in the licensing struggles of former Los Angeles Mayor report. This historical precedent serves as a cautionary tale for those attempting the non-traditional apprentice pathway.

Structural Hurdles of the California General Licensing Test

The exam is administered over two days and requires candidates to demonstrate mastery of multiple legal subjects. Those who fail must wait several months before they can re-register and sit for the next scheduled testing cycle.

During the examination days at the Ontario Convention Center, candidates must endure hours of quiet concentration under the watch of state proctors. The physical demands of the testing environment often contribute to the high failure rates among repeat test takers.

Comparative Look at Historical Multi-Attempt Failures

Historical records from the State Bar of California indicate that many prominent public figures struggled to pass the examination on their first few attempts. These findings highlight the systemic difficulty of the test, regardless of an individual's professional achievements or academic pedigree.

For a detailed look at how these historical struggles compare to modern celebrity attempts, viewers can access the Entertainment Tonight historical archive video. This coverage provides context on the long-standing difficulty of the state's licensing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California have a limit on how many times you can take the bar exam?

No, California does not impose any limit on the number of times a candidate can sit for the general bar exam. Applicants may continue to take the test during any scheduled administration period, provided they submit a new application and pay the required fees.

What is the passing rate for repeat test takers in California?

According to official State Bar data, the pass rate for repeat test takers is significantly lower than that of first-time takers, often hovering between 20 and 30 percent. This trend reflects the extreme difficulty of overcoming prior scoring deficits on subsequent attempts.

How much does it cost to retake the California bar exam?

Each registration attempt for the general bar exam costs several hundred dollars, with additional fees applied for late submissions or laptop testing software. These recurring expenses can easily exceed thousands of dollars for candidates who require multiple attempts.