NCBE Publishes Updated Standard Character Report Application
MADISON, WISCONSIN, April 20, 2026—The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) has published an updated version of its standard Character Report Application. A sample of the new application is available on the NCBE website.
All US jurisdictions conduct character and fitness investigations as part of their bar admission processes. Many jurisdictions use NCBE’s standard application as a guide when creating or revising their own applications.
The release of the updated application follows the completion of a comprehensive four-year review by NCBE, which included input from judges, bar administrators, bar admission boards, and legal educators. The purpose of the review was to ensure that the questions on the application are necessary and relevant to the assessment of applicant fitness for the purpose of bar admission, while promoting a fair process for all applicants.
“The new Character Report Application is the result of a careful and thorough review,” said Penelope Gessler, NCBE’s Director of Investigations. “We hope that this updated application supports a fair and efficient character evaluation process for jurisdictions and provides a more user-friendly experience for all applicants.”
The updated application has been shared with jurisdictions, which will now begin the process of evaluating the updates for possible inclusion in their own character and fitness applications. Jurisdictions may choose to use the standard application as written, or to select or modify questions from it for their own applications. Applicants can expect to begin seeing the updated questions as soon as this fall, depending on the jurisdiction.
NCBE does not control what is included in a jurisdiction’s character application, nor does it make decisions about an applicant’s fitness to practice law.
More information about the application review process is available in NCBE’s Bar Examiner magazine.
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About the National Conference of Bar Examiners
The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1931. NCBE promotes fairness, integrity, and best practices in bar admissions for the benefit and protection of the public, in pursuit of its vision of a competent, ethical, and diverse legal profession. Best known for developing bar exam content used by 54 US jurisdictions, NCBE serves admission authorities, courts, the legal education community, and candidates by providing high-quality assessment products, services, and research; character investigations; and informational and educational resources and programs. In 2026, NCBE will launch the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination, ensuring that the exam continues to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for competent entry-level legal practice in a changing profession. For more information, visit the NCBE website at https://www.ncbex.org.