LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Supreme Court announced a troubling breach in its bar exam administration. An internal review uncovered that about 11,400 files – including applications, applicant profiles, and score sheets – were deleted or rendered inaccessible in early January 2026. Court rules require the Office of Professional Programs to retain these records for 25 years.
Allegations against former executive director
Former executive director Nancie Givens is charged with 65 counts of tampering with public records. Prosecutors allege that between July 2020 and July 2025, points were taken from some examinees’ scores and added to others who took the same exam. In at least one case, a candidate who should have passed received a failing score; in another, the top scorer allegedly had points removed, allowing a different examinee to claim the highest mark.
Impact on examinees
The justices said the review found scores were raised to the minimum passing threshold of 270 or higher. While the court believes the vast majority of candidates who were told they passed indeed did, it has not disclosed how many examinees were affected or whether any admissions were based on altered scores. Affected candidates will be notified once the court can confirm their status.
Response and next steps
Givens resigned from the Office of Professional Programs in February 2026. Following her departure, the court appointed Robert Brech, head of the Office of Professional Conduct, to oversee the bar exam office. The criminal investigation, launched in April 2026, involves Arkansas State Police and the FBI. State and federal authorities are working with the court to recover missing data and review all exams from the affected period.
New testing procedures and security measures were already put in place for the February 2026 exam. Separately, Givens has been referred to the court’s Office of Professional Conduct for a possible violation of professional‑conduct rules. The justices noted that further disclosures may be limited while investigations continue.
Legal context
Under Arkansas law, tampering with public records is a felony. The charges against Givens reflect the seriousness with which the state treats the integrity of its legal licensing process. The Supreme Court’s swift action to appoint new oversight and to enhance security demonstrates a commitment to preserving public trust in the legal profession.
Anyone who believes they may be affected by the alleged irregularities should watch for official communications from the court. The Arkansas Supreme Court has pledged transparency as it works to restore confidence in the bar examination system.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
