On October 8, 2026, the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) announced a modernized assessment framework. It will change how internationally trained lawyers earn their Certificate of Qualification in Canada.
If you are preparing for NCA exams now, the short answer is: don't panic, and don't change your plans yet. Here is what we know, what we don't know, and what it means in practice.
Last checked against the NCA's website: October 25, 2026. The NCA says details may still change, and we will update this page as it publishes more.
The short version
- Today: you write one exam per subject, and the number of exams you're assigned depends on your background. The NCA says applicants could be assigned up to 14 exams and two courses.
- New system: five exams and three courses. Most exams combine several subjects.
- Timing: phased start in 2027, full implementation in 2028.
- If you already have an Assessment Decision: keep following the requirements in your decision. You may be able to opt in to some or all of the new exams, but eligibility hasn't been announced.
- 2027 sittings: the NCA has already published a full 2027 schedule of exams in the current, subject-by-subject format.
The five new exams
According to the NCA's FAQ (marked "current as of September 2026" and subject to change), the new exams group today's subjects like this:
| New exam | Covers |
|---|---|
| Canadian Public Law 1 | Foundations of Canadian Law, Constitutional Law |
| Canadian Public Law 2 | Criminal Law, Administrative Law |
| Canadian Private Law | Contract Law, Property Law, Tort Law |
| Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Canadian Legal Practice | Professional responsibility |
| Dispute Resolution and Oral Advocacy in Canadian Legal Practice | Negotiation and mediation, litigation, oral advocacy |
There are also three online courses, each with its own assessment:
- Indigenous Peoples and the Law in the Canadian Context
- Canadian Legal Research
- Canadian Legal Writing and Drafting
What else changes
Question formats. Multiple-choice questions will appear in all of the new exams. Some exams will also test written and oral legal skills. Today's exams are written problem-solving exams, so this is the biggest change in how you prepare.
Length. Each exam will take no longer than 3 hours 30 minutes, unless you have accommodations.
Delivery. Exams will be online, with live proctoring, and you can write from any suitable location that meets the NCA's technical requirements.
Results. If you pass, you'll only see "pass." If you fail, you'll receive your score and broad feedback to help you prepare for a rewrite.
Attempts. You may write each exam up to three times. The Executive Director may grant a fourth and final attempt on request.
Free NCA prep resources. For the new exams, the NCA says eligible applicants will get preparatory materials for each of the five exams and a multiple-choice study guide with sample questions, at no extra charge.
What we don't know yet
The NCA has not yet published:
- who will be eligible to opt in during 2027, or when;
- how exams you've already passed will map onto the new combined exams;
- dates and registration periods for the new exams;
- fees for the new exams.
The NCA is holding its first information webinar on Thursday, December 10, 2026, 12–1 p.m. ET. Registration is through the NCA's announcement page.
What this means for you
You already have an Assessment Decision and are writing exams now
Keep going. The NCA says applicants with an Assessment Decision should continue to follow the requirements in their decision, and the current exams run on their normal schedule through 2027.
Passing your subjects now under the system you've prepared for is usually safer than waiting for a new one whose rules are still being finalized. Applicants generally have five years from their Assessment Decision to complete their requirements, so check where you stand.
You're about to apply, or haven't started exams yet
Watch the NCA's website and the December 10 webinar closely. Once you're fully under the new system, you'll study combined subjects. For example, Foundations of Canadian Law and Constitutional Law will be one exam, so it makes sense to learn connected subjects together rather than in isolation.
Whichever group you're in
The skills don't change. The NCA says the new system is designed to test the same knowledge and competencies, and to ensure your knowledge of Canadian law is comparable to that of graduates of Canadian common law degree programs. Spotting issues, applying the law to facts, and writing clear, organized answers under time pressure will matter in both systems.
Key dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| Nov 16 – Dec 10, 2026 | Registration for the January 2027 sitting (Constitutional Law, Foundations of Canadian Law, and others) |
| Dec 10, 2026 | First NCA webinar on the new framework, 12–1 p.m. ET |
| 2027 | Current exams continue on the published schedule; phased start of the new exams |
| 2028 | Full implementation for all future applicants |
Sources
- NCA advisory: NCA Announces Modernized Assessment Framework (October 8, 2026)
- NCA: Modernized Assessment Framework
- NCA: FAQs — Modernized Assessment Framework
- NCA: 2027 Exam Schedule (PDF)
Lexn is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the NCA or the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Always confirm requirements that apply to you directly with the NCA.
Writing an NCA exam in the current format? Practise under real exam conditions with a timed Lexn exam simulation and get AI feedback on your answer. Your first simulation is free. For the dates of every 2027 sitting, see NCA exam dates 2027. Questions about the new system? Ask other candidates in Study Circles.
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