Announcements

Illinois Bar Examination Religious Attire and Religious Items Policy

Religious Attire and Religious Items

The Board respects the sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of all applicants and will provide reasonable religious accommodations consistent with the security and administration of the bar examination.

Applicants may wear religious attire and religious head coverings during the examination, including, but not limited to, hijabs, yarmulkes, turbans, habits, and similar religious garments. Such items may be subject to a visual inspection by examination staff to ensure compliance with examination security procedures.

Except as approved as a reasonable religious accommodation in advance, applicants may not bring religious objects or devotional items into the testing room if those items are otherwise prohibited under the Board's examination security policies. This includes, but is not limited to, rosaries, prayer beads, religious texts, devotional books, and other similar items.

An applicant who believes that possession of a religious object during the examination is required as part of a sincerely held religious practice should contact the Board in advance of the examination to request a religious accommodation. Requests will be evaluated on an individualized basis, taking into account the applicant's religious needs and the Board's obligation to maintain the integrity, security, and orderly administration of the examination.