Here come more lawyers, Florida bar exam passage rate jumps

The passage rate for first-time takers of February’s Florida bar exam has risen to 60% from 57.3% last year.

Results of the February 25-26 examination were released Monday by the state’s Board of Bar Examiners. It shows 336 of 560 test-takers passed on their first try. In all, 1,717 sat for the exam.

The University of Florida College of Law came out on top at 83.3%, with 10 out of 12 takers passing.

Like many state bar exams, Florida’s is given twice a year: In late February and late July. Both administrations of the test are held at the Tampa Convention Center.

“Formal induction ceremonies that were scheduled for May 4 have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic,” according to a news release. “Applicants may be sworn in by any judge or notary …”

The uptick in the pass rate is a bright spot in recent years; the highest recent pass rate continues to be 80.2% from February 2013, when there were 819 first-timers.

Usually, a smaller number of law students, including those who fail the summer exam, take the bar in the winter. More take the exam in the summer, a few months after graduation and bar review.

Here are the February 2020 results by individual Florida schools or other categories. The previous two February pass rates are listed in parentheses:

• University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville — 83.3% (76.9% in 2019; 31.8% in 2018)
• Florida International University (FIU) College of Law, Miami — 81.8% (80%, 85%)
• Those already admitted to the practice of law elsewhere — 74.1% (71%, 75%)
• Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee — 70% (75%, 76.7%)
• Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport — 68.2 (58.3%, 56%)
• University of Miami School of Law — 55% (66.7%, 56%)
• Barry University School of Law, Orlando — 53.3% (43.3%, 41%)
• Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville — 52.6% (50%, 62.1%)
• Ave Maria School of Law, Naples — 50% (41.2%, 84.6%)
• Florida A&M University College of Law, Orlando — 48.7% (45.5%, 36.7%)
• St. Thomas University College of Law, Miami Gardens — 46.7% (48.5%, 38.9%)
• Graduates of non-Florida law schools — 37.9% (33.3%, 36.6%)
• Nova Southeastern University College of Law, Fort Lauderdale — 30.4% (50%, 50%)

Statistics for previous exams, for both July and February administrations, are here.

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Content republished by permission of Tallahassee Democrat.