Government Shutdown Chaos: DC Delays Bar Exam Registration Indefinitely, Maryland Caps Spots at 400 – Law Grads Scramble
By Mark Smith
Aspiring lawyers in the nation’s capital are facing a nightmare twist amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. With registration for the February 2026 DC bar exam postponed indefinitely, and neighboring Maryland slamming the door on extra takers by limiting spots to just 400, the path to practicing law just got a lot rockier.
The D.C. Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions announced the delay last week, citing the shutdown’s funding freeze that has crippled court operations since October 1, 2025. What was set to open on October 6 now hangs in limbo, forcing hundreds of applicants to pivot fast. Across the Potomac, Maryland’s Supreme Court issued an administrative order on October 27, capping February 2026 Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) registrations at 400 – with priority going to retesters – because they lack space to handle an influx from D.C.
This double whammy stems directly from the federal standoff in Congress, now in its second month. Non-essential government functions, including parts of the D.C. court system, ground to a halt, delaying everything from result releases to application processing. The July 2025 bar exam scores, for instance, are still slated for release today, October 31, but under shutdown protocols that could mean spotty access.
Law school deans and bar prep experts are sounding alarms. “This isn’t just bureaucratic red tape – it’s a career killer for grads already buried in debt,” says Elena Vasquez, a professor at Georgetown Law. She points out that many candidates planned their moves around these dates, from job offers to relocation. On social media, X posts from stressed-out J.D.s echo the frustration: one viral thread from a recent Howard Law alum reads, “Shutdown hits feds, now it hits future lawyers? Congress, fix this!”
Public reaction has been swift and heated, especially in the D.C. metro area where over 1,000 applicants typically flood the February exam. Forums like Reddit’s r/barexam are buzzing with advice on alternatives, from New York’s unlimited spots to virtual options in other states. Unions representing federal workers, many of whom are parents to these very students, have piled on, urging bipartisan action to end the impasse.
For U.S. readers, the ripple effects hit close to home. In a job market where legal roles in government and policy are gold for new attorneys, this bar exam delay could stall hires across agencies, exacerbating the economic pinch from the shutdown. Think delayed contracts for Beltway firms or empty desks at nonprofits waiting on licensed talent. Lifestyle-wise, it’s wedding postponements and family strains for grads eyeing stability post-law school. Politically, it underscores the human cost of gridlock, fueling calls for reform in how shutdowns sideline essential services like judicial access.
Maryland’s move adds insult to injury. Registration kicks off November 1 in two phases: first for retakers, then a lottery for newbies. But with D.C.’s crowd spilling over, odds look slim. Officials urge applicants to scout spots in Virginia or Delaware, where exams run smoother sans shutdown drama.
As the federal government shutdown drags on, D.C. bar exam postponement and Maryland’s strict caps are amplifying law student stress nationwide. Trending searches for bar exam delay, federal government shutdown impacts, and February 2026 UBE options are spiking, signaling widespread worry. The D.C. Courts promise updates as funding resumes, but for now, candidates must adapt – or risk waiting until July 2026.
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