State bar exams canceled over virus

Health risk fears lead to second postponement

Citing a continued public health risk from the coronavirus, the Sept. 9-10 bar exams in New York have been canceled, according to an advisory Thursday from the state Court of Appeals.

The Board of Law Examiners made the decision after considering current conditions and focusing on the health and safety of participants. Because the pandemic presents a persistent threat in a many states, an in-person exam is not yet a safe or practical option in New York, the statement says.

The September date was a postponement of the late July exam date.

A working group, to be chaired by retired Court of Appeals Judge Howard A. Levine, will be studying the future of the state bar exam. As its first priority, it will evaluate the emergency remote testing option to be offered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners in early October and try to reach a recommendation by early August.

“This important work will explore innovative methods of adapting our professional licensure process in a responsible manner as we emerge from the most acute stages of this crisis,” the advisory says.

A previously announced program has been designed to provide temporary authorization for qualified law graduates to engage in the supervised practice of law.

In 2019, during the February and July dates, 14,200 state bar exams were taken, with a 59 percent pass rate.

The New York State Bar Association will review the decision and make recommendations on how best to proceed association President Scott M. Karson said.

“The class of 2020 has been dealt a difficult hand and many graduates are experiencing stress and strain over the uncertainty surrounding the bar exam, a grim job market, and staggering student debt,” he said in a statement. “NYSBA will expeditiously examine the alternatives, taking into account the interests of consumers of legal services as well as the law school graduates seeking admission to the New York bar.”