Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about Accommodations Petitions

How can I ensure that I will get accommodations for the bar exam?

The best way to get accommodations for the bar exam is to meet your legal burden by providing as much clear documentation as possible.

The California Bar Exam administers examinations in compliance with the ADA and FEHA, federal and state-specific laws that prevent entities from discriminating against people who have disabilities.

To assert your rights under these laws, you must first show that you are a member of the class the legislation is designed to protect. 

Think of petitioning for accommodations as you would think about a case you are trying to win. 

• What evidence do you need to establish your impairment?
• How does your impairment limit you in a way that an average member of the population is not limited?
• Can you show a direct relationship between your impairment and your difficulty taking exams in a standardized fashion?
• What facts support your contention that you need accommodations? 
• Is there evidence establishing all the facts that you need to show?

A jury could not make a decision based on facts not in evidence.  Neither can a person deciding accommodations.  All evidence must be entered into the record for the Committee to make an informed decision.

A friend with the same disability I have received accommodations for the bar.  Will I get the same accommodations?

You may or may not receive the same accommodations as another person with your disability.  The Committee must consider each person’s individual limitations and needs. 

Two people with the same disability can have very different needs.  Even if two people have very similar needs, one person may be granted her requested accommodations because she has extensive and clear documentation, while another may be denied due to poor documentation.  Again, it is vital for your petition to be as clear and specific as possible.

I have an obvious disability.  Why do I need documentation?

Although the bar considers each accommodation petition separately, the petition process itself must be the same for every applicant.  That means that every person with a disability must establish that he or she needs the nonstandard accommodations to level the playing field.

My disability is undiagnosed.  Can I still get accommodations?

It is not a requirement that your disability have a diagnosis as a specific medical condition, provided that you can establish that you have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.  However, your physician must be able to explain your condition and its functional limitations with sufficient detail for the Committee to make a decision.

Remember, all applicants must meet their burden of proof.  While a concrete diagnosis is helpful in that regard, lack of concrete diagnosis will not excuse a vague, incomplete or untimely accommodations request.  If you have symptoms of a disabling condition, apply for the accommodations as soon as you are aware of your impairment and how it affects you. 

Will the accommodations I received in law school be available on the bar exam?

Your history of testing accommodations should give you a clear idea of what assists you in taking exams.  This is useful because it helps identify what you will petition for on the bar exam.  However, the bar is a new petition and may require that you provide more documentation than you needed in law school.

The bar and its consultants may have a difference of opinion with the law school regarding your accommodation needs.  Finally, some testing accommodations options available in law school may not be offered by the bar.  For these reasons, your bar accommodations, if granted, could differ somewhat to substantially from your law school accommodations.

I had accommodations assessments before I attended law school. Why do I need to do it again?

The documentation and assessments must be current so that the decisions about accommodations are based on your current needs. If your condition or impairment is something that can change over time, your accommodation needs may change as well.

Even if you have a condition that does not require a frequent assessment, both the bar and the MPRE require documentation no older than five years.  The assessments you used for law school may be older than that.  If so, you will need to update your documentation.  If there is any doubt about whether your documentation is current (within 5 years of the filing deadline for the bar exam) update your documentation.

If I request accommodations for the MPRE, can I reuse the documentation for the bar exam?

Some information gathered for the MPRE may be submitted to the bar exam as well.  Your letter to the MPRE explaining your disability and need for accommodations may be also sent to the bar as an addendum.  Similarly, historical documents such as old exam scores, which are required by the MPRE, can be sent to the bar.  This is all useful information that could support your petition.  It is not, however, a replacement for materials requested by the bar. All bar applicants must still complete the forms required for the petition for accommodations. 

Your doctor or diagnostician may be able to complete documentation for both the MPRE and the bar exam in one visit.  This option depends on the nature of your disability and timing of your applications.

For permanent disabilities or disabilities that do not change much over time, such as learning disabilities, the documentation must be within the past five years of the time you submit the petition.  If you update your documentation while in law school it will be current for both exams.

For disabilities that can change over time, such as mental health disabilities or physical impairments that fluctuate in severity, the MPRE and the bar require the information to be updated within 12 months of the time you submit the petition.  If you have such a condition, time your appointment so that both petitions are completed within 12 months of your visit.  This may mean taking the MPRE during November of your last year of law school and the bar exam the following July.

I want to take a bar review program.  Do bar review programs offer accommodations?

Yes, bar review programs must comply with the ADA.  Applicants have several bar review options. The most well-known are BAR/BRI and PMBR.

BAR/BRI

BAR/BRI is a condensed course that reviews all subjects covered on state bar. The program blends lectures, substantive outlines and practice exams. 

BAR/BRI offers several types of accommodations for students with disabilities.  For instance:

• Students with mobility impairments may have reserved seating.
• Students with writing impairments may be provided with electronic notes or notetakers if electronic notes are not available.
• Students who are blind or low vision can take BAR/BRI’s IPOD course.  If this is an accommodation, the licensing fee associated with the IPOD program is waived, although a refundable equipment deposit is required.
• Deaf or hearing impaired students can have access to written notes or transcripts, depending on whether the notes are sufficient.

To apply for accommodations, call your local BAR/BRI office or call 800.621.0498 for an accommodation form.  Requests must be made in writing at least 90 days before the start of the course to ensure timely receipt.

The form can also be found online here.

For more information contact the California ADA coordinator for BAR/BRI:

Alicia Stoner
3280 Motor Avenue, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310.287.2360
800.995.5227
alicia.stoner@barbrigroup.com

PMBR 

PMBR is a short course that focuses on reviewing for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the multiple choice portion of the bar.  Students can sign up for either a three-day or six- day review.  PMBR also offers complete bar review courses in a handful of states, including California.

PMBR offers the several types of accommodations for students with disabilities.  For example:

• Students who are low vision may be provided with enlarged text.
• Visually impaired students who prefer audio can take advantage of the online component audio portion of the program.
• Deaf students or hearing impaired students can read a verbatim transcription of the course, which is mailed students enrolled in the six-day and three-day review sessions who demonstrate a need for this accommodation.

ASL interpreters, translators and note takers are not available through PMBR. To apply for accommodations, call 800.523.0777 and ask for an "ADA" form. Requests must be made in writing at least 90 days before the start of the course to ensure timely receipt.