Accreditation & Standards

New Mexico, Connecticut consider new pathways to licensure

New Mexico and Connecticut are the latest states to consider alternative pathways to bar licensure, a move that would potentially expand access to legal services statewide.

Mar 3, 2026 12:39 PM CST

11 law school deans oppose proposal to speed up approval process for accreditation changes

Deans at 11 law schools have argued the council for the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar should not approve a proposal that would speed up the process of revising or creating new accreditation standards.

Feb 26, 2026 2:26 PM CST

Legal Ed council moves forward proposals to end diversity standard, allow alternative bar pathways

The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has voted to move forward and seek public comment on two hot-button topics—one proposal to repeal its diversity, equity and inclusion mandate and another to permit alternative pathways to licensure.

Feb 23, 2026 9:52 AM CST

Top judicial officials form workgroup studying law school accreditation

As the path forward for law school accreditation is reconsidered in several states, a group of chief justices and court administrators launched a workgroup this week to dig deep into accreditation, including the role of the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Feb 19, 2026 11:26 AM CST

ABA Legal Ed council will consider including alternative pathways to bar in accreditation standards

As alternative pathways to licensure emerge around the country, the standards committee of the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is suggesting revisions to law school accreditation standards to recognize the growing popularity of methods beyond taking an exam to join the bar.

Feb 18, 2026 12:31 PM CST

After cheating scandal, LSAT moves to in-center testing this summer

The Law School Admission Test will move toward in-center testing in the United States and internationally starting in August.

Feb 12, 2026 9:21 AM CST

Will Utah gain third law school? State’s population growth cited as driving need for more lawyers

The Utah legislature is conducting a feasibility study for establishing the state’s third law school—at the Utah Valley University—according to KSL.com.

Feb 2, 2026 9:39 AM CST

Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law back in compliance with ABA standard

The Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law is no longer on probation, has returned to compliance and remains an accredited law school, according to a Jan. 26 post on the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar’s website.

Jan 28, 2026 1:49 PM CST

Independent law schools seek backup accreditor as ABA Legal Ed council is under review

Independent law schools are scrambling to make sure their students can continue to access student loans as the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar’s council’s accrediting powers are reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Jan 26, 2026 12:21 PM CST

Should California create its own bar exam? Bar leaders weigh in

Despite California’s troubled attempt at launching its own bar exam last February, about half of the state’s bar leaders prefer a plan to create a California-specific test in the long term and use Kaplan to develop a “bridge” exam in the short term over administering the new exam created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, a new survey shows.

Jan 23, 2026 1:20 PM CST

New deans led nearly one-quarter of law schools in 2025

Almost 25% of accredited law schools were led by a new dean in 2025, according to Law.com.

Jan 21, 2026 9:45 AM CST

Legal Ed council underscores independence as states limit accreditation powers

Amid steps by states to create their own accrediting systems, the ABA council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar on Friday voted to clarify its independence from the overall ABA by setting up a new unit focused on law school oversight and by limiting options for input on accreditation standards.

Jan 16, 2026 1:15 PM CST

ABA Legal Ed council will consider options for ‘more autonomy’ at special meeting

At a special meeting Jan. 16, the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar will consider recommendations “to give the council more autonomy over its self-governance” and allow changes to be implemented more quickly, according to memos to the council from the governance committee posted Jan. 9.

Jan 14, 2026 2:36 PM CST

Speculation swirls over what law school accreditation might look like if states break away from ABA

Texas recently became the first state to officially cut ties with the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Meanwhile, Florida and two other states are considering similar moves. These moves have raised more questions than answers about what accreditation might look like and what the implications would be for law schools, law students and licensure.

Jan 13, 2026 9:20 AM CST

Texas Supreme Court cuts ties with ABA Legal Ed council to handle law school accreditation

The Texas Supreme Court has officially cut ties with the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar as its law school accreditor.

Jan 7, 2026 11:05 AM CST