February 2022 Bar Exam: COVID-19 Safety Information

February 2022 Bar Exam: COVID-19 Safety Information

Under the direction of the California Supreme Court, the February 22–23, 2022, Bar Exam will be administered in person.

The State Bar recognizes that this is a difficult time for test takers and is doing everything it can—following state and national public health guidelines and taking additional precautions—to provide a safe and secure testing environment.  

Below are measures being taken at all testing locations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

  • Regardless of test center size, all applicants most provide proof of full vaccination or a negative test at check-in via the CLEAR Health Pass app. Applicants who fail to do so will be denied entry to the exam and will not receive a refund of fees.
  • Full vaccination refers to a complete regimen (two dose or single dose, depending on the vaccine) of a vaccine authorized by the CDC. Vaccination must be completed by February 8, two weeks before the first day of the exam.
  • A negative test may be a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 48 hours of the start time for the first day of the exam or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of the exam’s first day start time. All tests must be performed at a test provider or laboratory. At-home tests are not accepted.
  • Those who test positive for COVID-19 or show symptoms when they arrive will not be seated for the exam. They will withdraw and need to provide documentation to receive a refund.
  • If someone exhibits symptoms at the exam, State Bar staff may direct them to terminate their exam and leave the testing site.
  • Everyone at the testing site must follow safety protocols such as physical distancing in common areas and wearing a KN95/N95 mask or double masking.
  • All test-takers must read and sign a COVID-19 Code of Conduct form by February 17. The Office of Admissions emailed the forms on February 4. For security, everyone received a unique link to their form. Applicants who do not sign the form by February 17 will not be able to sit for the exam.

Health Pass by CLEAR 

Use this link from your mobile device to download the CLEAR Health Pass app.

Applicants providing proof of vaccination should download the app and complete the one-time enrollment process by January 25. Make sure to enroll using the email address associated with your State Bar application.

The day before the exam, you will need to open the app and link again to the bar exam code–EFATTENDEE200.

Those who cannot provide proof of vaccination must upload their negative test result to CLEAR. Instructions for setting up the CLEAR Health Pass.

Mask Guidelines

Everyone at the testing site will be required to bring and wear either their own N95/KN95 mask or a 2-ply cloth mask along with a surgical mask. If you come to the test center with just a cloth mask, you will be provided with a surgical mask to wear under the cloth mask for double masking.

  • Your face mask must cover your nose and mouth and meet CDC guidelines the entire time you are at a testing site.
  • The only exceptions to wearing a mask are (1) if you are asked to remove your mask by a proctor for identification purposes, (2) if you are more than six feet away from any other person and engaged in the act of eating or drinking, or (3) if you are inside a fully enclosed vehicle.
  • Masks brought into the secured testing area shall not contain writing of any kind and will be subject to inspection by State Bar personnel.

For additional information about illness prevention, please refer to the CDC and the World Health Organization.