Applicants with Disabilities

The UBE is a timed, in-person examination administered over two days in four, three-hour sessions. The UBE consists of the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). There is a one-hour scheduled lunch break each day between the morning and afternoon portion of the exam. The bar exam is administered twice each year, in February and July.

A qualified applicant with a disability who is otherwise eligible to take the bar examination, but who cannot demonstrate under standard testing conditions that they possess the knowledge and skills to be admitted to the Ohio bar, may request reasonable test accommodations.

Applicants must submit their request for accommodations with their bar exam application on the forms prescribed by the Ohio Board of Bar Examiners.  All documentation must be uploaded to the Bar Admissions Portal.

The Ohio Board of Bar Examiners reviews requests for accommodations and determines: (1) if an applicant qualifies for accommodations; and (2) what type of reasonable accommodation the applicant should receive.

1. The Office of Bar Admissions will review your submission and determine if your request is complete. If the request is not complete, we will communicate with you and provide you with an opportunity to submit additional documents to complete the request.
2. Once the Office determines the request is complete, the request is then forwarded to one of the Board’s testing accommodations consultants.
3. The consultant will review the request and make a recommendation to the Board.
4. The Board will review the request and the consultant’s recommendation and make a decision.
5. The Office of Bar Admissions will send you the Board’s decision via email.

1. A complete and signed Statement of Applicant Statement of Applicant for Testing Accommodations (ohio.gov)
2. A complete and signed Certificate of Medical/Psychological Authority, including a curriculum vitae (CV) and relevant medical documentation to support the applicant’s request. Certificate of Medical or Psychological Authority (ohio.gov)
3. If applicable, a complete and signed Certificate of Accommodations confirming accommodations received in undergrad, law school, or employment. Certificate of Accommodations (ohio.gov)
4. Any other relevant documentation, including a transcript showing performance pre and post accommodations, confirmation of accommodations on any standardized tests (i.e., MPRE, LSAT), or accommodations on previous bar examinations.

A reasonable accommodation means an adjustment or modification to the standard test conditions that does not alter the nature of the bar examination, impose an undue burden on the Ohio Board of Bar Examiners or staff administering the exam, or affect the integrity or security of the examination.

If you are granted:

1. No extended time, break time only, or 20%, 25% or 33% additional testing time - you will test over two days (Tuesday and Wednesday).
2. 50% additional time – typically, you will test over three days (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
3. 75% and 100% additional time – you will test over four days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).

A semi-private/reduced distraction testing space is a room with a limited number of other similarly granted accommodated applicants who may be separated by a partition or divider.   This testing room will be monitored by a proctor.

There are a few items that are permitted in a testing room.  These items include: a plastic, clear water bottle; car keys; prescription medication; glasses; permitted writing utensils; and other preapproved items.  If you need to bring an item that is not permitted, you will need to include that item in your request.

Your request for accommodations must accompany your bar exam application.  For a February exam, the timely deadline for bar exam applications and accompanying requests for accommodations is November 1.  The final late deadline for the February exam is December 10.  For a July exam, the timely deadline for bar exam applications and accompanying requests for accommodations is April 1.  The final late deadline for the July exam is May 10.

You can submit an emergency request for testing accommodations if, at the time you filed your bar exam application, you did not have a disability or your condition has worsened.  Emergency requests must be submitted to the Office of Bar Admissions no later than one week before the scheduled exam.  Before the Board decides the merits of the emergency request, they will first determine whether the request qualifies as an emergency request under the Policy.

If you are requesting the same accommodations as previously granted, you will need to submit the Statement of Applicant.  You should indicate in the statement that you are requesting the same accommodations and you are relying on the documentation previously provided.  If you are requesting different accommodations, you will need to submit a full request for accommodations, including a new Certificate of Medical or Psychological Authority with the accompanying CV and medical records to support your request.

Applicants granted testing accommodations will not test at the main testing hall.  For accommodated applicants, your testing location will be assigned to you approximately two weeks before the exam.  Accommodated applicants will test at a location in Columbus.

All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  There is no one normal set of accommodations.  Requests typically consist of requesting additional testing time, a semi-private or private testing room, larger font for test materials, permission to bring certain prohibited items, etc.  Please be specific regarding what accommodations you are requesting.