How Much Does the NCA Process Cost? Fees and Prep Costs for 2026–27
The NCA's official fees for assessment, exams, rewrites, appeals and cancellations, a worked budget for the five mandatory exams, and what exam preparation typically costs.
By Lexn Team
Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026
If you're an internationally trained lawyer planning the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) process, the official fees are only part of the cost. This guide sets out what the NCA charges, a realistic budget for the five mandatory exams, and what preparation usually costs on top.
All official fees below come from the NCA's website, checked October 19, 2026. All amounts are in Canadian dollars, and the NCA adds applicable taxes on top.
The NCA's official fees
| Fee | Amount (plus taxes) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment fee | $400 | Once, when you apply |
| Exam registration | $500 per exam | Every time you register, including rewrites |
| Exam cancellation | $100 per exam | Only if you cancel before the deadline |
| Exam appeal | $250 per exam | Only if you appeal a failed exam (non-refundable) |
| Assessment appeal | $285 | Only if you appeal your assessment result |
Two rules make a big difference to your budget:
- Missing the cancellation deadline costs the full fee. You can cancel until midnight ET the day before the exam and lose $100. After that, if you don't write, you lose the entire $500.
- Every attempt is paid separately. You may write each exam up to three times, with a possible fourth attempt on request, and each rewrite costs the full exam fee again.
Example: budgeting for the five mandatory exams
Every candidate must complete the five mandatory Canadian subjects: Foundations of Canadian Law, Canadian Constitutional Law, Canadian Criminal Law, Canadian Administrative Law and Canadian Professional Responsibility. Many are also assigned some of Contracts, Torts and Property, depending on their degree. The figures below cover NCA fees only. See the mandatory modules in the next section.
| Scenario | NCA fees (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Assessment + 5 mandatory exams, all passed first time | $400 + 5 × $500 = $2,900 |
| Same, with one rewrite | $3,400 |
| Same, with two rewrites | $3,900 |
| Assessment + 8 exams (the five mandatory subjects plus Contracts, Torts and Property), all passed first time | $400 + 8 × $500 = $4,400 |
The NCA itself estimates a minimum of about $3,000 plus taxes for the exam route. A Canadian law school route costs far more: the NCA puts full-year tuition at $35,000 to $56,000.
The cheapest NCA journey is the one with the fewest rewrites. Each failed exam costs another $500, and it also costs time. Results take 10 to 12 weeks, and you can't register for a rewrite until you have them. For the five mandatory subjects, that usually means waiting for the sitting about six months later (for example, January to July).
Other costs to plan for
- Mandatory modules. Beyond the exams, the NCA requires Canadian Legal Research and Writing (for anyone assessed after January 1, 2022) and Indigenous Law and Peoples (since March 1, 2026). Both can be completed through modules with the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) or an approved law school course, and each has its own fee. Check CPLED for current prices.
- Study materials. The NCA expects you to get the study materials listed in each subject's syllabus, such as casebooks and statutes. Exams are open-book with hard copies only, so plan for printing or buying physical copies. Some materials can be borrowed from law libraries or bought used.
- Language screen. Applicants complete a language screen before assessment. Its cost is included in the $400 assessment fee, and the NCA emails you a link after you apply.
- Online exam setup. NCA exams are written online with remote proctoring. You need a computer, webcam and internet connection that meet the NCA's technical requirements, plus a secure, tidy place where you won't be interrupted. The NCA recommends a private, enclosed room.
- Document costs. Transcripts, certified copies, courier fees and any translations of documents from your home country.
- Taxes and card fees. Taxes are added to every NCA fee. If you pay with a foreign credit card, the NCA notes you're responsible for transaction fees and exchange-rate differences, and the administrative fee isn't refunded.
What exam preparation costs
Preparation is optional, and many candidates buy some help. The ranges below are based on prices published by several NCA prep providers in October 2026. They are approximate and change often, so check current prices.
| Type of prep | Typical cost per subject |
|---|---|
| Notes packages from past candidates or tutors | about $30–$180 |
| Structured online prep courses | about $400–$475 |
| Private tutoring | varies widely, often charged by the hour |
| Practice under exam conditions | the NCA publishes a free sample exam for each subject; timed simulators with feedback cost extra |
How we price Lexn, for transparency (founding prices, CAD before tax):
- Lexn Exam: $14.99 a month for unlimited timed simulations with AI feedback.
- Lexn Guide: $49 per subject for a lifetime study guide, including 30 days of Lexn Exam.
- Lexn All-Access: $199 one time for lifetime Lexn Exam and every study guide available at purchase.
Lexn currently covers the five mandatory subjects, and your first timed simulation is free.
Ways to keep costs down
- Use the free official resources first. The NCA's sample exams and its guide to answering fact-based exam questions cost nothing.
- Register only when you're ready, and cancel early if you're not. Cancelling before the deadline costs $100. Failing costs $500 and usually several months before you can rewrite.
- Practise writing full answers under time pressure. Knowing the law isn't enough if you run out of time or your answer is hard to follow. Timed practice is cheap insurance against a rewrite.
- Buy used, borrow, or share. Older editions of some materials may be fine for general understanding, but check the current syllabus for anything the exam relies on.
- Find a study partner. Splitting the cost of printed materials and swapping practice answers saves money and helps you prepare.
Sources
- NCA: Costs and timelines
- NCA: Exam information (exam fee, open-book format, results)
- NCA: Online exam rules (cancellation, rewrites, refunds, hard-copy materials)
- NCA: Application process (language screen)
Lexn is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with the NCA or the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Fees can change, so always confirm current amounts with the NCA before you pay.
Want to avoid paying for a rewrite? Write a timed Lexn exam simulation and see where you lose marks before exam day. Your first simulation is free. You can also compare notes with other candidates in Study Circles.