A lack of funding stemming from the federal government’s shutdown has forced Maryland and the District of Columbia to place restrictions on registration for the February 2026 bar exam, leaving candidates scrambling.

The Maryland Supreme Court has issued an administrative order limiting the number of test-takers in February to 400. This follows an order by the neighboring District of Columbia Court of Appeals that indefinitely postpones registration of its February administration, originally scheduled to start October 6th.

“Applicants are encouraged to consider and seek alternative testing arrangements,” the announcement on the Washington, D.C. court’s website states.

The Georgetown University Law Center is providing its students “maximum support in light of the distressing developments,” wrote Joshua C. Teitelbaum, the law school’s Interim Dean.

Faculty are encouraging candidates to consider taking the test in another jurisdiction that’s administering the Uniform Bar Examination, consult with their employers regarding options, and apply for the limited seats in Maryland, he says.

Additionally, Georgetown Law administrators intend to “proactively work” with the D.C. Court of Appeals “to implement a solution to the serious negative impact that this situation will have on law graduates who have relied upon the orderly administration of the bar examination,” he says.

The federal government shutdown began earlier this month, making it the second-longest shutdown in history—compared to the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019 during the first Trump administration.

Maryland typically tests far fewer than 400 candidates during February administrations, but limitations on space and financial resources might make it hard to handle the candidates who were poised to take the D.C. test and now have to find alternative exam arrangements, according to the state’s order.

The D.C. Court of Appeals’ website does not say when February registration will open.

You can read more about this matter  here.

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