What to Bring to the Bar Exam: The Complete Exam Day Checklist
July 16, 2026
The July 2026 bar exam runs July 28-29, which means you have less than two weeks to handle every practical detail. Deciding what to bring to the bar exam feels like a small task, but it's the one thing that can wreck your morning if you get it wrong. Nobody wants to be arguing with a proctor about a smartwatch at 7:45 a.m.
This is the complete packing list, with the current details that actually trip people up. Knock it out in one afternoon this week and you never have to think about it again. Lock the logistics now, and your brain stays free for the things that earn points.
First: Check Your Jurisdiction's Official Rules
Before you pack a single item, pull up your jurisdiction's exam day instructions. Every board publishes them, and they override anything you read on a blog. Including this one.
Permitted items vary more than you'd expect. Some boards hand out foam earplugs, others ban them. Some allow analog watches, others prohibit all timepieces and rely on room clocks. Clear plastic bags are required in some rooms and forbidden in others. Because those specifics change from state to state, this post sticks to the patterns most boards follow. Your admission ticket and the official security policy are the final word.
Do this today:
- Find your board of bar examiners' exam day notice and security policy (they often arrive with your seat assignment)
- Read the permitted and prohibited items lists twice
- Write down the report time, which is usually well before the actual start time
- Note any upload or software deadlines, which can fall days before the exam
If anything below conflicts with your state's rules, your state wins. Every time.
The Laptop and Exam Software: Get This Right First
If you're typing, your laptop is the single most important thing in the bag, and the software is where people lose sleep the night before. Handle it now.
Confirm which software your state uses. Most jurisdictions run ExamSoft's Examplify, but some use ILG's Exam360, and a few are handwrite-only. These are not interchangeable, and the setup steps differ. Find out which one your board requires before you download anything.
Meet the system requirements. According to ExamSoft's official minimum system requirements page (examsoft.com), current Examplify needs, at the time of writing:
- A 64-bit version of Windows 11 (recent builds such as 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2 are the certified ones), or macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, or Tahoe
- 4GB of RAM at a minimum (8GB or more recommended if your exam uses ExamID or ExamMonitor)
- At least 4GB of free hard drive space
- A screen resolution of at least 1280 x 768, with display scaling set to 100 percent
- An administrator-level account on the computer, so the software can install and lock down properly
- A working USB port, which is used for on-site support and answer-file backup
One important wrinkle: the bar exam build is not always the same as the standard Examplify download, and the version your board requires may be a specific one. Download the exact version your jurisdiction tells you to, not whatever the app suggests.
Take the mock exam. Boards require a practice or mock exam to confirm your machine works, and ExamSoft recommends taking your real exam on the same operating system you passed a recent mock on. Do this early in the week, not the night before, so there's time to fix a failure.
Watch the upload deadline. Boards set hard deadlines for installing the software and uploading your trial exam, and they can fall several days before exam day. Miss it in some jurisdictions and you lose your laptop privilege and handwrite the whole exam. Put that deadline in your calendar right now.
Charge and pack smart. Charge to 100 percent the night before and bring the charger anyway, because outlets aren't always available at your seat. In UBE and NextGen states, day one (July 28) is typically the written day, so this all matters most for that morning.
Can You Bring Your Own Scratch Paper?
Generally, no. This surprises people every year. Most boards do not let you bring your own scratch or scrap paper into the exam room, and bringing it can be treated as a security issue.
What's provided instead varies. Many boards give you scratch paper or a laminated note board for the multiple-choice (MBE) session, and the exam software usually includes a virtual scratch-paper or highlighting feature for outlining. Some boards collect all scratch materials at the end of each session. The rule you can count on is simple: plan to use what the board hands you, not what you packed. Confirm the specifics in your admission notice.
What to Wear: Dress for a Room You Can't Control
Attire is mostly common sense, with a few rules worth checking.
Layers, always. Exam venues run cold, hot, or both before lunch. Wear a t-shirt under a sweater or light jacket you can add or shed without a fuss.
Skip the hood and hat. Many boards prohibit hats, caps, hoods, and other headgear (religious apparel excepted), and some will make you keep a hoodie's hood down the entire time so your ears stay visible to proctors. Wear something that won't get flagged.
Comfortable and plain. Some boards restrict clothing with writing on it and ask you to empty your pockets at check-in, so leave the slogan tee and the zipper-heavy cargo pants at home. Comfortable, quiet shoes help too, since squeaky soles in a silent room are a special kind of embarrassment.
Bags: Assume Clear Plastic or Nothing
Bag policies are strict and they vary. The common pattern: many jurisdictions require you to carry your permitted items in a single clear, resealable plastic bag, often with a size limit like one gallon, and they prohibit backpacks, purses, tote bags, and briefcases. A few don't allow bags at all and expect items loose or in your pockets.
Because this is one of the most-enforced rules, read your admission notice's bag section carefully and pack accordingly. Showing up with a backpack when the rule says one-gallon zip bag means repacking in the parking lot, or worse.
Watches, Earplugs, and Medication
These three items vary the most, so treat the patterns below as a starting point and verify against your own rules.
Watches. Where timepieces are allowed at all, it's usually a basic silent analog watch, sometimes with a size limit. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are banned essentially everywhere. A number of boards prohibit all watches and rely on room clocks and proctor announcements, so don't assume you can wear one.
Earplugs. A room full of typing laptops is genuinely loud. Some boards let you bring simple foam or silicone earplugs without cords, some hand out approved earplugs at check-in, and some don't allow your own. If yours are allowed, practice with them during timed writing so they don't feel strange on the day.
Medication. Many boards let you keep routine medication with your stored belongings and take it at the breaks without notice, but anything you need inside the exam room often requires advance approval, sometimes a week or more ahead, with a note from your provider. Keep prescriptions in their original labeled containers, and put over-the-counter basics like ibuprofen or allergy pills where the rules allow them.
Snacks and Water for the Breaks
Usually you can't bring food or drink into the exam room itself. Most boards make you leave them outside or in a designated area you reach during the lunch break, though some allow a clear water bottle at your seat.
Pack for the breaks anyway:
- A clear water bottle (allowed at the seat in a few places, at the break in most)
- A simple lunch that won't upset your stomach: nothing new, nothing heavy
- Quick snacks with some protein: nuts, a protein bar, a banana
Eat what you've been eating during practice. Exam day is not the moment to try a new energy drink.
How Do You Get There? Parking, Transit, and Hotels
Settle your travel plan this week, not the night before.
If you're driving: pick your parking garage now, check the rates and hours, and choose a backup. Everyone arrives in the same narrow window and lots fill up. Plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your report time.
If you're taking transit: check the schedule for that exact weekday morning, load your fare card in advance, and know a backup route.
If you're staying in a hotel: book walking distance from the venue if you can, confirm the reservation this week, and pack from the printed checklist before you leave home, not from memory at 10 p.m. Set two alarms, and make one of them not your phone.
Whatever your plan, do a dry run if you can. Driving the route on a Tuesday morning shows you what traffic will actually look like on July 28.
The Printable Bar Exam Day Checklist
Print this, tape it to your door, and check it off the night before each exam day.
Documents
- Admission ticket, printed, plus a backup copy in a different bag
- Government-issued photo ID (name matches your registration)
- Your jurisdiction's exam day instructions and security policy, reviewed twice
Tech
- Laptop, fully charged, correct exam software installed and mock-tested
- Laptop charger
- Software upload deadline met (done days ago, not tonight)
- Analog watch, if permitted
Body
- Medications, in original containers, pre-approved if needed inside the room
- Earplugs, if permitted
- Layers: sweater or light jacket, no hood or hat
- Clear water bottle, lunch, and snacks for the breaks
Logistics
- Permitted items in a clear plastic bag per your board's rule
- Parking spot or transit route confirmed, plus a backup
- Hotel confirmed, two alarms set
- Report time written down (not just the start time)
- Prohibited items out: phone stored per your state's rules, smartwatch off your wrist
Exact Rules for Your State
Everything above covers the patterns most boards follow. Below are quick answers for the biggest July 2026 jurisdictions, researched from each board's official instructions. Tap your state to expand it, and see the full state guide for the complete list.
California
Can I bring earplugs to the California bar exam?
Yes, but only foam earplugs that are not connected to each other. Silicone earplugs, wax earplugs, and any earplugs with electronic components are prohibited. Headphones are also not allowed. Keep your foam earplugs loose in your clear one-gallon bag so proctors can inspect them quickly during check-in at your test center.
Does California provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
For the written session, yes. You get hard-copy question books and physical scratch paper handed out before each session, and you can raise your hand for more. For the MBE session on Day 2, no scratch paper is provided at all. You may only take notes in the multiple-choice question book itself. Bring your own #2 pencils either way.
Can I bring water to the California bar exam?
Yes. You may bring one unlabeled clear water bottle or cup with a lid, no larger than 40 ounces, water only. No labels, no writing, no powder mixes, and no other drinks. Water is not provided in the exam room, so bring your own. Tissues are provided inside the room, so leave yours at home.
District of Columbia
Can I bring earplugs to the District of Columbia bar exam?
Yes. You can bring your own earplugs to the District of Columbia bar exam, but they must be foam or silicone with no cords attached. The board does not provide earplugs, so pack your own. Corded earplugs and any headphones, headsets, or earmuffs are prohibited, so leave those at home.
Does the District of Columbia provide scratch paper?
DC allows limited physical scratch paper for the MPT portion, but the exact number of sheets isn't nailed down in the current published materials. Treat any figure as approximate and confirm it on your July 2026 admission ticket. You get a secure phone pouch at check-in, but you still bring your own pens and pencils.
What software does the District of Columbia bar exam use?
The District of Columbia uses ILG360 software for the written MEE and MPT sections, not Examplify or ExamSoft. You install it on your own laptop, pay a $150 licensing fee, and register directly with ILG360 during the June 17-26, 2026 window. Complete the trial exam through the download portal before the deadline.
Florida
Can I bring earplugs to the Florida bar exam?
Yes, but only foam earplugs without wires. They are on the official permitted-items list and are optional. Wired earplugs and headphones are prohibited. Keep your earplugs in your clear, quart-sized bag so security can inspect them quickly at the metal detectors. Anything with a cord or electronic component will not make it into the exam room.
Does Florida provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Yes. The Board of Bar Examiners provides pencils, pens, and scratch paper for the essay portion. Extra blank pages are built into the essay test booklets to use as scratch paper. You may also write in your multiple-choice booklets, but final answers must be marked on the answer sheets. Do not bring your own pens, pencils, or highlighters.
Can I wear a watch during the Florida bar exam?
No. All watches are banned, including analog watches, Apple Watches, Fitbits, and any timekeeping device. Smart rings like Oura are also prohibited. Large clocks are placed throughout the exam room so you can track time. Getting caught with a smartwatch after the exam starts means removal from the room and an ungraded exam.
Georgia
Can I bring earplugs to the Georgia bar exam?
No, you cannot bring your own earplugs or headphones into the exam room. The Georgia Board of Bar Examiners provides foam ear plugs for you, and those are the only ones allowed. This is one of the more surprising rules, so don't pack your favorite pair. If you rely on sound blocking to focus, plan on the board's foam plugs and get used to them during practice.
Does Georgia provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Yes, but only for the afternoon Georgia essay session on Tuesday, when scratch paper is provided along with the essay questions. In the Tuesday morning MPT session, you may write notes directly in your MPT booklet instead. You cannot bring your own paper or written materials of any kind into the exam room, so rely on what the board hands out.
Do I need to print an admission ticket for the Georgia bar exam?
No. Georgia does not issue printable admission tickets. If you registered on time, you'll see a homepage confirmation that reads 'successfully registered for the July 2026 Bar Examination,' and logistical details post to your homepage during the week of July 6. What you must physically bring is your official government photo ID, with a name that matches your application.
Illinois
Can I bring earplugs to the Illinois bar exam?
You can't bring your own. Personal earplugs, earmuffs, and headphones are prohibited in the test room. The Board provides disposable foam earplugs on request instead, so ask a proctor if you want a pair. Plan around this rule rather than packing your favorite noise blockers, because they'll be sent to storage or tossed at check-in.
Does Illinois provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
The official July 28-29, 2026 instructions don't mention Board-provided scratch paper or note boards, so plan to work inside the paper test booklets and your answer booklets. Since the notice lists only what's provided and doesn't include scratch paper, don't count on extra sheets. Per the most recent official notice, confirm the details on your admission ticket and instructions.
What laptop software does the Illinois bar exam use?
Illinois uses ILG Exam360 by ILG Technologies, not Examplify or ExamSoft. Registration runs June 4-18, 2026 with a $135 fee, and you must install the software and submit the mandatory mock exam by the June 18, 2026 deadline or your account is deactivated and you'll handwrite. Bring one fully charged, registered laptop plus its power cord.
Massachusetts
Can I bring earplugs to the Massachusetts bar exam?
No. You cannot bring your own earplugs. The Board of Bar Examiners provides earplugs at the test site, so you do not need to pack a set. This is one of the easier rules to overlook, since most exams let you bring your own. In Massachusetts, plan on using the ones handed out and leave yours at home.
Does Massachusetts provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Partly. The Board provides scrap paper for the MEE and MPT sessions on Tuesday only. During the MBE on Wednesday, scrap paper is not permitted and you cannot bring your own. So you get scratch paper for the written day but must work entirely inside the MBE materials on the multiple-choice day.
Can I bring a watch to the Massachusetts bar exam?
No. Watches, clocks, and timers of any kind are prohibited, including analog watches. There is no analog exception, so do not count on wearing a simple watch to pace yourself. Leave every watch, smartwatch, fitness tracker, and timer at home or in your car so you are not stopped at check-in and asked to remove it.
Michigan
Can I bring earplugs to the Michigan bar exam?
Yes, but only the right kind. Michigan's UBE Security Policy allows foam or silicone earplugs with no wires inside your clear one-gallon bag. Wired earplugs, earbuds, headphones, and headsets are all prohibited. Your ears also have to stay uncovered and visible to proctors the whole time, so plan to show them if asked during check-in.
Does Michigan provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Not that the board confirms. Bringing your own scratch paper is expressly prohibited, which suggests scratch work stays inside your answer or exam booklets. The board has not published that it supplies loose scratch paper, note boards, or pencils for July 2026. Treat this as unconfirmed and check your admission certificate instructions, which are mailed the first week of July 2026.
Can I use a mechanical pencil on the Michigan bar exam?
It depends on the day. On the Tuesday MEE and MPT essay day, mechanical pencils, mechanical erasers, and highlighters are permitted. On the Wednesday MBE day, they are barred, and you need standard wood pencils and regular erasers for the scantron. Pack both types so you are covered for each session.
New Jersey
Can I bring earplugs to the New Jersey bar exam?
No. Headphones and ear plugs are on New Jersey's prohibited list, but only because the Board provides them at the test site. So you don't need to bring your own, and you shouldn't. If noise sensitivity is a concern, plan to use the ear plugs the Board hands out rather than packing a pair that could get you flagged at check-in.
Does New Jersey provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
No. The current official instructions do not list scratch paper, note boards, or pencils among items the Board provides. In fact, scratch paper and paper of any kind are prohibited. You bring your own writing tools (ink pens and highlighters for the MPT and MEE, and non-mechanical #2 pencils with a small manual sharpener for the MBE day).
Can I bring a watch to the New Jersey bar exam?
No. The current New Jersey instructions ban watches, timers, and fitness trackers of any kind, including non-digital wristwatches that were allowed under older rules. Test sites may not have wall clocks, so plan to rely on the proctors' time announcements. Leave every wearable, including analog watches, at home or in your car.
New York
Can I bring earplugs to the New York bar exam?
Yes. Ordinary foam, silicone, or gel earplugs are permitted, but they cannot have any cords or strings attached. Wired or wireless headphones, headsets, and earbuds are all prohibited. Bring your earplugs loose in your clear plastic food storage bag so proctors can see them clearly at the security checkpoint before you enter the exam room.
Does New York provide scratch paper at the bar exam?
The security policy does not mention the Board providing scratch paper or note boards. It only confirms that examination materials (question booklets and the MBE answer sheet) are supplied and that clocks are posted at every site. You must bring your own No. 2 pencils, erasers, a small sharpener, and blue or black pens for the written day. Confirm current specifics on your admission ticket.
What kind of bag can I bring to the New York bar exam?
Everything you carry into the exam room must fit inside one clear, re-sealable plastic food storage (zip-top) bag. Plastic grocery bags, backpacks, purses, briefcases, and laptop bags are not allowed in the room. The policy does not state a required size. Coats, jackets, phones, and other prohibited items go in the Personal Belongings Room at your own risk.
North Carolina
Can I bring earplugs to the North Carolina bar exam?
You don't need to. The North Carolina Board of Law Examiners furnishes ear plugs to every applicant, along with pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, and scratch paper. Since your own supplies aren't allowed inside the room, plan to use what the board hands out. If you have a hearing-related need, contact the board ahead of time about a testing accommodation.
Does North Carolina provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Yes. The board furnishes scratch paper as part of the materials it provides on exam day, so leave your own notepads and legal pads at home. The board also supplies pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, ear plugs, a USB-C adapter, and your Applicant Name Badge. Clocks are in every examination room, so you don't need a watch either.
Can I bring a water bottle to the North Carolina bar exam?
Yes, one water bottle or container per session. It can be any color or size, but it must be completely clear with no design, writing, or label of any kind, removable or otherwise. You may also bring one container of hand sanitizer per session in its original manufacturer container. Everything else goes in your one-quart clear zip-top bag.
Ohio
Can I bring earplugs to the Ohio bar exam?
No. Personal earplugs and headphones are on the prohibited list. The board provides a set of earplugs to each examinee at the exam, so you don't need to bring your own. If you rely on noise reduction to focus, plan to use the pair you're given at your seat rather than packing anything.
Does Ohio provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Yes. Ohio provides scrap paper at the exam, along with tissues, hand sanitizer, and earplugs. You cannot bring paper of any kind yourself, since paper is expressly prohibited. Use only the scrap paper handed out at your seat, and leave any personal notes, scratch pads, or printouts at home.
Can I wear a watch during the Ohio bar exam?
No. Watches and clocks are on the prohibited list, and that includes analog watches, not just smartwatches. There will be a clock in the testing room or proctors will track time for you. Leave every watch at home or in your car so you don't risk an issue during check-in and the bag inspection.
Pennsylvania
Can I bring earplugs to the Pennsylvania bar exam?
No. Pennsylvania does not allow you to bring your own earplugs. The Board provides a set of earplugs to each applicant on each day of testing, so you'll get a pair when you sit down. If you rely on earplugs to focus, plan around the Board-issued ones rather than packing your favorite brand, since your own will not be permitted in the exam room.
Does Pennsylvania provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Yes, but only on Tuesday. On the essay day (MEE and MPT), the Board provides scratch paper booklets at your seat. Scratch paper is prohibited during the MBE on Wednesday. You cannot bring your own scratch paper either day. Anything you need to jot down on the multiple-choice day has to go in the margins of your test materials instead.
Can I bring my own pens and pencils to the Pennsylvania bar exam?
Yes, and you must. The Board does not hand out pens and pencils by default, though proctors can provide writing implements on request. Bring black ballpoint or roller pens and sharpened No. 1 or No. 2 pencils. Mechanical pencils, felt-tip pens, erasable-ink pens, detachable erasers, and personal pencil sharpeners are all prohibited, so pack a few pre-sharpened pencils.
Texas
Can I bring earplugs to the Texas bar exam?
No, you can't bring your own earplugs or any sound-suppression device. The Board of Law Examiners provides foam earplugs at each test site, along with tissue and cough drops. Headphones and any noise-canceling gear are prohibited too. So leave your earplugs at home and grab the free foam pair at the test site if you want them.
Does Texas provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
No. Texas does not provide or allow scratch paper. You can only make notes inside the exam question book itself. There are no separate note boards or blank sheets. Plan your MEE and MPT outlines in the margins and open space of the question booklet, since that's the only writing surface you'll have besides your laptop or answer sheet.
Can I bring mechanical pencils to the Texas bar exam?
No. Only No. 2 non-mechanical pencils are permitted, since the MBE is machine-scored on paper. Mechanical pencils and pencil sharpeners are both prohibited, and no sharpener is provided at the site. Bring several pre-sharpened standard wooden No. 2 pencils and plain erasers with no sleeves, casing, or packaging.
Virginia
Can I bring earplugs to the Virginia bar exam?
Yes. Soft foam earplugs are on Virginia's allowed-items list for both days, but they must be unpackaged and carried in your clear plastic bag so Board staff can inspect them. Corded or electronic noise-canceling earbuds are not permitted. If quiet matters to you, foam plugs are the only option, so bring a fresh unpackaged pair for each testing day.
Does Virginia provide scratch paper?
No, not in the usual sense. During the essay portion, the only scratch space you get is the margins of your essay questions. No additional paper is handed out unless your laptop fails and you have to switch to handwriting. The MBE day is answered on paper answer sheets, so plan your outlines around those question margins on Day One.
Does Virginia provide pencils for the MBE?
No. The Board does not supply pencils, pens, erasers, or sharpeners. For the MBE on Day Two you must bring your own, up to six sharpened #2 pencils with erasers, plus one extra eraser and a manual pencil sharpener if you want them. Mechanical pencils are prohibited, so bring standard wood #2 pencils and sharpen them before you arrive.
Washington
Can I bring earplugs to the Washington bar exam?
You cannot bring your own. The WSBA provides free foam ear plugs in the exam room, and those are the only ones allowed. Personal ear plugs of any other kind are prohibited, as are headphones, earbuds, and headsets. If you rely on sound blocking to focus, plan to use the foam plugs provided onsite rather than packing your own.
Does Washington provide scratch paper for the bar exam?
Yes. The WSBA provides scratch paper for note-taking, and you may bring sharpened wooden pencils to write on it. The NCBE secure testing browser also has a built-in on-screen notepad, though anything you type there is not graded. Do not bring your own paper of any kind. The only paper permitted in the exam room is your WSBA-issued seating card.
Does the Washington bar exam use Examplify or ExamSoft?
No. July 2026 is Washington's first NextGen UBE, delivered through NCBE's own secure testing browser rather than Examplify or ExamSoft. You install it on the exact laptop you will bring. You also complete a candidate agreement, a $149 technology fee, and a system compatibility check no later than 72 hours before exam day, so leave time for those steps.
If your state isn't listed, your board of bar examiners' website has the official exam-day notice, and your admission ticket is always the final word.
What Should You Do With the Last 12 Days?
Once the bag is packed and the route is planned, logistics stop taking up space in your head. That's the whole point of doing this early. The days you just freed up belong to practice, and right now the highest-value practice is writing essays under timed conditions and getting real feedback on them.
Rereading outlines feels productive, but it can't tell you what your own writing is missing. Graded practice can. BarScore grades your practice essays in seconds: paste in an essay from any prep course (Barbri, Themis, UWorld, whatever you're using) and it shows you the rules you missed, where your analysis is thin, and specific ways to earn more points from graders. It handles MEE and state-specific essays for any U.S. jurisdiction, and there's a free trial on subscriptions, so you can run tonight's practice essay through it. If you're wondering why feedback matters this much in the final stretch, this breakdown covers it.
One heads-up: BarScore scores on the harsh side on purpose, so a conservative number twelve days out isn't a reason to panic. The specific feedback is the value. Fix what it flags, and repeat.
Pack the bag this week, then spend the days you saved putting a few more essays through BarScore, so both your bag and your writing are ready when the doors open on July 28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the bar exam?
In most jurisdictions, no. Phones are typically banned from the exam room and must be left in your car, a sealed bag, or a storage area, depending on the board. Since your admission ticket may live on your phone, print a paper copy. Check your jurisdiction's official exam day instructions for the exact phone policy, because storage procedures and penalties vary widely.
What are the computer requirements for the bar exam?
Most boards use ExamSoft's Examplify, and its current minimums are a 64-bit Windows 11 or recent macOS machine, 4GB of RAM, 4GB of free storage, a 1280 x 768 screen at 100 percent scaling, administrator access, and a working USB port. Some states use different software or handwrite only, so confirm which your board requires and check examsoft.com.
Can you bring your own scratch paper to the bar exam?
Generally no. Most boards prohibit bringing your own scratch or scrap paper and instead provide scratch paper or a laminated note board for the multiple-choice session, plus a virtual scratch-paper feature in the exam software. What's provided varies by jurisdiction, and some boards collect it at the end. Plan to use what the board hands you, and confirm the rule in your admission notice.
What ID do you need for the bar exam?
You need a current government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, along with your admission ticket. The name on your ID must match the name you registered under. If they don't match, for example after a name change, contact your board of bar examiners before exam day. Bring a printed admission ticket, since phones usually aren't allowed inside.
Can you bring snacks and water into the bar exam room?
Usually not into the exam room itself. Most jurisdictions require food and drinks to stay outside or in a designated area you can reach during the lunch break, though some allow a clear water bottle at your seat. Pack a simple lunch and familiar snacks for the breaks, and confirm the details in your state's official rules before exam day.
Can I bring earplugs to the California bar exam?
Yes, but only foam earplugs that are not connected to each other. Silicone earplugs, wax earplugs, and any earplugs with electronic components are prohibited. Headphones are also not allowed. Keep your foam earplugs loose in your clear one-gallon bag so proctors can inspect them quickly during check-in at your test center.
Can I bring earplugs to the District of Columbia bar exam?
Yes. You can bring your own earplugs to the District of Columbia bar exam, but they must be foam or silicone with no cords attached. The board does not provide earplugs, so pack your own. Corded earplugs and any headphones, headsets, or earmuffs are prohibited, so leave those at home.
Can I bring earplugs to the Florida bar exam?
Yes, but only foam earplugs without wires. They are on the official permitted-items list and are optional. Wired earplugs and headphones are prohibited. Keep your earplugs in your clear, quart-sized bag so security can inspect them quickly at the metal detectors. Anything with a cord or electronic component will not make it into the exam room.
Can I bring earplugs to the Georgia bar exam?
No, you cannot bring your own earplugs or headphones into the exam room. The Georgia Board of Bar Examiners provides foam ear plugs for you, and those are the only ones allowed. This is one of the more surprising rules, so don't pack your favorite pair. If you rely on sound blocking to focus, plan on the board's foam plugs and get used to them during practice.
Can I bring earplugs to the Illinois bar exam?
You can't bring your own. Personal earplugs, earmuffs, and headphones are prohibited in the test room. The Board provides disposable foam earplugs on request instead, so ask a proctor if you want a pair. Plan around this rule rather than packing your favorite noise blockers, because they'll be sent to storage or tossed at check-in.
Can I bring earplugs to the Massachusetts bar exam?
No. You cannot bring your own earplugs. The Board of Bar Examiners provides earplugs at the test site, so you do not need to pack a set. This is one of the easier rules to overlook, since most exams let you bring your own. In Massachusetts, plan on using the ones handed out and leave yours at home.
Can I bring earplugs to the Michigan bar exam?
Yes, but only the right kind. Michigan's UBE Security Policy allows foam or silicone earplugs with no wires inside your clear one-gallon bag. Wired earplugs, earbuds, headphones, and headsets are all prohibited. Your ears also have to stay uncovered and visible to proctors the whole time, so plan to show them if asked during check-in.
Can I bring earplugs to the New Jersey bar exam?
No. Headphones and ear plugs are on New Jersey's prohibited list, but only because the Board provides them at the test site. So you don't need to bring your own, and you shouldn't. If noise sensitivity is a concern, plan to use the ear plugs the Board hands out rather than packing a pair that could get you flagged at check-in.
Can I bring earplugs to the New York bar exam?
Yes. Ordinary foam, silicone, or gel earplugs are permitted, but they cannot have any cords or strings attached. Wired or wireless headphones, headsets, and earbuds are all prohibited. Bring your earplugs loose in your clear plastic food storage bag so proctors can see them clearly at the security checkpoint before you enter the exam room.
Can I bring earplugs to the North Carolina bar exam?
You don't need to. The North Carolina Board of Law Examiners furnishes ear plugs to every applicant, along with pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, and scratch paper. Since your own supplies aren't allowed inside the room, plan to use what the board hands out. If you have a hearing-related need, contact the board ahead of time about a testing accommodation.
Can I bring earplugs to the Ohio bar exam?
No. Personal earplugs and headphones are on the prohibited list. The board provides a set of earplugs to each examinee at the exam, so you don't need to bring your own. If you rely on noise reduction to focus, plan to use the pair you're given at your seat rather than packing anything.
Can I bring earplugs to the Pennsylvania bar exam?
No. Pennsylvania does not allow you to bring your own earplugs. The Board provides a set of earplugs to each applicant on each day of testing, so you'll get a pair when you sit down. If you rely on earplugs to focus, plan around the Board-issued ones rather than packing your favorite brand, since your own will not be permitted in the exam room.
Can I bring earplugs to the Texas bar exam?
No, you can't bring your own earplugs or any sound-suppression device. The Board of Law Examiners provides foam earplugs at each test site, along with tissue and cough drops. Headphones and any noise-canceling gear are prohibited too. So leave your earplugs at home and grab the free foam pair at the test site if you want them.
Can I bring earplugs to the Virginia bar exam?
Yes. Soft foam earplugs are on Virginia's allowed-items list for both days, but they must be unpackaged and carried in your clear plastic bag so Board staff can inspect them. Corded or electronic noise-canceling earbuds are not permitted. If quiet matters to you, foam plugs are the only option, so bring a fresh unpackaged pair for each testing day.
Can I bring earplugs to the Washington bar exam?
You cannot bring your own. The WSBA provides free foam ear plugs in the exam room, and those are the only ones allowed. Personal ear plugs of any other kind are prohibited, as are headphones, earbuds, and headsets. If you rely on sound blocking to focus, plan to use the foam plugs provided onsite rather than packing your own.
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