Bar Exam Modifications During COVID-19: 50-State Legal Resources

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, many attorney licensing jurisdictions across the country revised their original plans for administering the bar exam in July 2020. Some states proceeded with the test in July on the originally scheduled dates, but sought to mitigate risks associated with the virus by limiting exam seating, requiring social distancing and mask use, and mandating that test-takers submit to temperature checks upon entry to testing sites. Many jurisdictions scheduled a fall exam in addition or as an alternative to the July exam, while others made the decision to completely cancel the July exam and commit to a September or October testing date. A number of states chose to administer the test online as well, and some offered options other than those listed above.

For the February 2021 exam, a majority of states chose to offer the test remotely, although some proceeded with in-person exams. Remote testing was made more feasible when the National Conference of Bar Examiners made the Uniform Bar Examination, which is used by many states, available for remote administration. In July 2021, a number of states plan to administer the bar exam remotely again.

Bar Exams Administered Remotely in July 2021

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin

Along with modifications to test dates and methods, many jurisdictions have created or expanded existing opportunities for new law school graduates to engage in limited practice under attorney supervision while awaiting bar exam testing opportunities or results.

Click on the states below to learn more about how each licensing jurisdiction approached bar exams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alabama

2020 Bar Exam Dates: July 28-29, 2020 and September 30-October 1, 2020
Modifications: The July administration of the Alabama Bar Exam took place as scheduled with safety protocols including health screenings and social distancing. On July 12, 2020, the Alabama Supreme Court issued an order for an alternate bar exam to be held beginning on September 30, 2020. This exam was held on September 30-October 1, 2020 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex with public health protocols. The Supreme Court’s order also created temporary exceptions for bar exam applicants, including an option to postpone their exam until February 2021. Applicants are also eligible to serve as student interns as defined under the Alabama Rule for Legal Internship by Law Students, which permits third-year law students to work under the supervision of a licensed attorney in Alabama. Applicants can participate as student interns until the date that they are admitted to the Alabama State Bar, or the date that February 2021 bar exam results are released, whichever is earlier.
February 2021 Bar Exam: In person.