It remains uncertain how the coronavirus crisis will affect the California State Bar exam scheduled for July.
"The State Bar of California is in close contact with the National Conference of Bar Examiners, other jurisdictions and law school deans as we consider possible options for the July exam,” Teresa Ruano, a principal program analyst at the State Bar of California, said in a statement.
The Committee of Bar Examiners will meet April 10 to discuss the matter, and their recommendations will go to the Bar Board of Trustees, who will meet Tuesday, April 14, according to the statement.
“Both bodies are taking written comments; there will be no oral public comment at these meetings,” Ruano said. “After that, the California Supreme Court will be weighing options, and the State Bar Board leadership will provide the Court whatever support will assist them.”
As of March 17, the State Bar’s offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles have been closed to the public, and all staff have been required to telecommute, according to a statement on the Bar’s website.
The website says that the impact on the July bar exams “is not certain,” and options are under consideration “in the event that State Bar admission office closures or prohibitions against large gatherings remain in effect.”
The bar exam is normally held twice each year, in February and July. About 16,000 people take the two-day test, according to The State Bar of California.