California Bar Proposes Fee Increases, Reducing Testing Sites

Would-be California attorneys would pay a higher fee to take the bar exam and have fewer locations to take the notoriously difficult test under changes the cash-strapped California State Bar proposes.

The proposed changes come as the bar is in an even more intense financial tug with the California Legislature, which sets the licensing fee for more than 270,000 lawyers in the most populous state. And lawmakers are in no mood to raise the annual fee despite the agency this year running a $7 million deficit spending budget that was filled with reserves.

“Without reducing exam-related costs, more than $1 ...