New York State Bar Association Calls For Standardized Protocols for Emergencies During the Bar Exam
6.29.2026
The New York State Bar Association is calling for the establishment of clear procedures for emergencies and delays during the bar exam.
On Saturday, the New York State Bar Association’s governing body, the House of Delegates, adopted a report from its Young Lawyers Section regarding the administration of the bar exam.
“The bar exam standard protocols have not been updated since 1991,” said Taa Grays, president of the New York State Bar Association. “As part of our mission to be a voice for the legal profession, we are calling to establish revised protocols and new procedures for bar exams that are interrupted or delayed. Preparing for emergency events protects our future lawyers and the integrity of the bar exam.”
In July 2025, a law student collapsed from a heart attack while taking the bar exam at a test site on Long Island. While the student was being treated by paramedics, the bar exam continued throughout the emergency. No additional time was granted to test-takers. Nothing further was communicated to examinees at the site, causing distress and alarm among those present.
In February 2026, a bar exam test site in Washington Heights was closed on the first day due to a blizzard. Other locations in New York City continued as usual, raising concerns about the integrity of the exam, as examinees could access exam questions from the internet and other examinees.
