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Hey. I'm new here. Just thought this might be a good place to ask a bunch of lawyers and law students. Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum the first time around and was directed to this one.

I logged on to the DC Bar Examiner's page today and saw this message:

1/11/2019 Based on all available information at this time, we are still planning to administer the February 2019 bar examination as scheduled. However, we are closely monitoring any new developments with the federal government shutdown; and the status of the scheduled exam could change. We strongly encourage that prospective examinees monitor this webpage for any changes in plans to administer the February 2019 bar exam. We understand and apologize for the inconveniences that this situation presents, but we will be updating our website with any new information as we continue to learn more about the status of our operations.

Is there a realistic chance that the exam might be canceled? Or would there be a way to resolve this so that the February exam registrants can still sit for the exam if the shutdown continues?

Given that none of the other admissions stuff is happening - no swearings-in, no C&F reviews - it seems like the chance of no February exam is definitely “realistic,” if not likely. You might see if it’s not too late to register to sit for another state.

I don’t know but even the thought that it won’t happen is making it very hard to study for the DC bar....

Could they move us to Maryland???

MariAlex wrote:I don’t know but even the thought that it won’t happen is making it very hard to study for the DC bar....

Could they move us to Maryland???

Who would do that? I’m not certain who runs the DC bar exam but I would try to find out.

This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. There are ongoing discussions with NCBE (National Conference of Board Examiners who creates the exam) and the various UBE states about this issue to possibly accommodate test-takers in DC who will be impacted. Unfortunately, NCBE is not responding quick enough or providing any helpful guidance.

The president of NCBE is Judith Gundersen (jgundersen@ncbex.org)

I'd consider emailing her. Obviously, NCBE was in touch with NJ given that state is allowing NJ residents taking the exam in DC to switch to NJ. What about non-NJ residents?? Ms. Gundersen needs to contact MD, NY and other close by UBE states to allow DC test-takers to sit there, as well as provide clarity to all DC test-takers. Otherwise, how can a DC test-taker focus on studying?

I'm fortunate to be a New Jersey resident. I'm preparing the NJ application over the weekend and waiting for this "special announcement" by the WH tomorrow. Even if the shutdown ends, will there be enough time to process applications? The NJ deadline is Wednesday at 4:30 PM and the fee is $675. Should I pull the trigger and just sign up as an insurance policy? I just can't imagine the DC exam being outright canceled.

SaulGoodman1984 wrote:This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. There are ongoing discussions with NCBE (National Conference of Board Examiners who creates the exam) and the various UBE states about this issue to possibly accommodate test-takers in DC who will be impacted. Unfortunately, NCBE is not responding quick enough or providing any helpful guidance.

The president of NCBE is Judith Gundersen (jgundersen@ncbex.org)

I'd consider emailing her. Obviously, NCBE was in touch with NJ given that state is allowing NJ residents taking the exam in DC to switch to NJ. What about non-NJ residents?? Ms. Gundersen needs to contact MD, NY and other close by UBE states to allow DC test-takers to sit there, as well as provide clarity to all DC test-takers. Otherwise, how can a DC test-taker focus on studying?

Are you sure there is time to accommodate new test takers? I thought the registration process and assigning a location takes time.

As a note, moving to MD won't help yet, as MD is not a UBE state until July 2019. Feb in Maryland is still the state exam.

When do you think they will make the call on whether to cancel it? Even if the shutdown ended this week would they still be able to process all of our applications in time to administer the exam? Regardless, I hope they will give February takers the option to defer their application to July if they want given the situation.

I reached out to the executive director of NYS Bar Exam, and he approved me to take the NYS UBE given the government shutdown. He also stated they will post this opportunity on the website shortly.

Dparhamlaw wrote:I reached out to the executive director of NYS Bar Exam, and he approved me to take the NYS UBE given the government shutdown. He also stated they will post this opportunity on the website shortly.

Dparhamlaw do you have any NY connections or did the NY Bar approve you out of decency/kindness?

I went to law school in TN. I just received this email:

“The Supreme Court of Tennessee has granted a motion for the Board of Law Examiners to reopen applications for the February 2019 bar examination for the limited purpose of allowing examination applicants to the bar of District of Columbia to apply for examination and admission to the bar of Tennessee. We will be re-opening applications for the February 2019 Tennessee Bar Examination in Nashville exclusively to applicants who applied to sit for the February 2019 exam in D.C. Applications open at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, January 25, 2019 and close February 6, 2019. The 70 seats that we have available will be filled on a first come, first served basis. This will not be courtesy seating, but will be an application for admission to the Tennessee bar; as such, applicants will be required to submit all required documentation to apply for admission in Tennessee along with proof of filing for the DC February 2019 exam. Instructions for the application will be on our website after 2:00 p.m. CST today.

Thank you,


Tennessee Board of Law Examiners”