Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 2020-22
In recognition of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, in light of current and anticipated pandemic-related restrictions, and in consultation with the Board of Law Examiners (Board), the Court orders, pursuant to the Court's constitutional and statutory authority to supervise and regulate the practice of law, 1963 Const, Art VI, Sec 5, and MCL 600.904, that the February 2021 Michigan bar examination be conducted online. The examination will be administered on February 23 and 24, 2021, and will follow the traditional format, consisting of an essay portion and the full 200 question Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).
The Board will inform applicants of the specific instructions for completing the online examination no later than February 1, 2021. Any applicant receiving accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act that would preclude remote testing will be allowed to test in person at a location to be determined, assuming that federal and state restrictions permit such examination. Any applicant who did not register to use a laptop to complete the examination must contact the Board if the applicant is unable to use a computer to do so.
Applicants who complete the test in person will be required to adhere to federal and state health recommendations and requirements. Such requirements will, at a minimum, likely require the applicant to answer health-related screening questions, undergo a temperature check, use personal protective equipment, and comply with staggered test times to ensure social distancing mandates.
For applicants who do not wish to test in February 2021, applications to sit for the February 2021 bar examination will automatically be transferred to the July 2021 bar examination. In addition, applicants who wish to transfer their application to the next available examination should notify the Board of that decision no later than February 1, 2021, by email at BLE-Info@courts.mi.gov. Transfer fees will not be charged. Applicants who wish to withdraw from the process and notify the Board of that withdrawal by email, no later than February 1, 2021, will have their examination fees refunded by the Board and their character and fitness fees refunded by the State Bar of Michigan.
Applicants have the affirmative obligation to frequently check the Board's website, where updates, instructions, and other vital information will be provided.
Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 2020-22