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National Conference of Bar Examiners

EIN 36-2472009 · Madison, WI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BAR EXAMINERS PROMOTES FAIRNESS, INTEGRITY, AND BEST PRACTICES IN ADMISSION TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION FOR THE BENEFIT AND PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC. WE SERVE 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.

Income
$65.1 million
Spending
$42.5 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
48.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
166
Volunteers
93
Highest pay
$534,352, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $28.5 million spent. EXAM SERVICES: NCBE DEVELOPS AND PRODUCES THE LICENSING AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TESTS USED BY MOST US JURISDICTIONS FOR ADMISSION TO THE BAR, INCLUDING THE MULTISTATE BAR EXAM, MULTISTATE ESSAY EXAM, MULTISTATE PERFORMANCE TEST, AND MULTISTATE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY EXAM. NCBE SUPPORTS JURISDICTIONS BY SUPPLYING SCORING SERVICES, RESEARCH SERVICES, AND EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR ADMISSIONS STAFF, BOARDS, AND GRADERS. NCBE SUPPORTS APPLICANTS BY MAINTAINING THEIR NCBE ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT THEIR LEGAL CAREERS AND PROVIDING SCORE SERVICES UPON REQUEST. NCBE SUPPORTS LAW SCHOOLS BY SUPPLYING MPRE AGGREGATE SCORE REPORTS AND BAR PASSAGE REPORTS. NCBE ALSO OFFERS CANDIDATES AND LAW SCHOOLS LOW-COST STUDY AIDS WITH AUTHENTIC BAR EXAM AND MPRE PRACTICE QUESTIONS. 223,890 BAR EXAMINEES SERVED.
  2. $5.7 million spent. INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES: THE CONFERENCE CONDUCTS CHARACTER AND FITNESS INVESTIGATIONS ON BEHALF OF JURISDICTIONS AS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE BAR. 14,379 BAR APPLICANTS SERVED.
  3. $2.8 million spent. EDUCATION SERVICES: NCBE PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TRAINING SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR COURTS, BAR EXAMINERS, AND BAR ADMISSIONS STAFF. EDUCATION INCLUDES PUBLICATIONS, WEBSITE RESOURCES, WEBINARS, AND IN-PERSON CONFERENCES; NCBE SUBSIDIZES A MAJOR PORTION OF THE TRAVEL EXPENSES SO THAT EVERY JURISDICTIONS' REPRESENTATIVES CAN ATTEND IN-PERSON CONFERENCES. NCBE PROVIDES FINANCIAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE COUNCIL OF BAR ADMISSION ADMINISTRATORS (CBAA). NCBE ALSO CREATES EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS FOR LEGAL EDUCATORS. WE WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS PREPARING FOR LAW SCHOOL AND THE BAR, ADVANCING OUR SHARED GOALS, AND BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. 617 INDIVIDUALS EDUCATED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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