WASHINGTON, March 31, 2026 — Staff at the Federal Trade Commission have endorsed a decision by the Supreme Court of Florida to end the American Bar Association’s exclusive role in accrediting law schools for eligibility to take the Florida bar exam.
In a letter responding to the court’s request for comments, the directors of the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning and Bureau of Competition supported the court’s conclusion that the previous rule requiring graduation from an ABA-approved law school was “not in Floridians’ best interest.”
Under the former system, aspiring lawyers in Florida had to complete legal education at a law school accredited by the ABA before being eligible to sit for the bar exam. The court’s new policy allows accreditation by certain agencies recognised by the U.S. Department of Education and approved by the court.
FTC staff argued that the change could increase competition in legal education and legal services by allowing additional organisations to perform the accreditation function.
The letter also criticised the ABA’s accreditation framework, saying it promotes an “elitist” model of legal education that raises costs and limits the supply of lawyers. According to the agency, restricting entry into the legal profession can benefit incumbent lawyers while reducing access to affordable legal services for consumers.
The FTC also warned that when professional associations are granted authority to regulate entry into their own professions, there is a risk that such powers may be used in ways that restrict competition.
FTC staff said the Florida court’s decision represents an important step toward reducing reliance on ABA accreditation and encouraged other states to consider similar reforms.
The Commission voted 2-0 to authorise the issuance of the staff letter.
