President’s Update on NextGen UBE Initiatives (September 2025)
Dear Fellows,
Forty-five states and jurisdictions have adopted the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (NextGen UBE), which will be administered beginning July 2026 and notably omits testing on wills, trusts, and estates. As you know, the College has been active in mobilizing a coordinated effort to ensure that these foundational subjects remain part of state bar licensure. Most recently, Regent and Bar Exam Task Force Coordinator Dana G. Fitzsimons, Jr., has led outreach to State Chairs, requesting updates on how each jurisdiction is addressing trusts and estates in their bar exam frameworks. This information is essential to my ongoing engagement with the Conference of Chief Justices, advocating for the inclusion of trust and estate topics in the July 2028 NextGen UBE as a foundational test subject and in state-specific components and broader licensure discussions. The Conference of Chief Justices was instrumental in having Family Law added starting in July 2028 to the NextGen UBE to the list of foundational concepts and principles tested on the exam.
Please visit ACTEC’s NextGen Resources page. It provides an overview of the actions the College has taken over the past two years and includes an updated compiled grid of state actions and strategies. Refer to this information or share the page with state bar examiners or state supreme court justices. Sample letters for contacting these important state leaders have been updated and are available for both Fellows and wealth management professionals.
ACTEC’s NextGen Resources also reflects the collective efforts of our Fellows and leadership, and will serve as a living resource as we continue to track developments and pursue our goal. ACTEC remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving the integrity of trust and estate education and licensure, and we will continue to keep Fellows informed as this vital initiative progresses. I want to personally thank Dana for his tireless work and coordination, as well as the State Chairs and State Chairs-Elect who have contributed valuable insights.
Sincerely,