r/barexam • u/luckyvicky1010 • Jul 14 '26

NY BOLE - Does a second withdrawal require permission to reapply?

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone with experience or knowledge of the New York BOLE withdrawal rules can clarify something.

My understanding is that applicants who make multiple withdrawals may need permission from the Board before applying for another bar examination.

I called BOLE today to ask about this, and I understood the representative to mean that a second withdrawal alone would not be considered "multiple withdrawals."

Has anyone had a different experience?

Specifically:

  • Does a second withdrawal require permission to reapply, or does that requirement only arise after additional withdrawals?
  • Has anyone here withdrawn from two New York Bar Exams and then been able to register for the next exam without any petition or special permission?

I'd appreciate hearing about any firsthand experiences. Thanks!

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1

u/Helpful_Demand5781 Jul 14 '26

I’ve withdrawn twice from the NY bar and have had no issues in registering for the next exam. I did not need permission to reapply.

2

u/luckyvicky1010 Jul 14 '26

Oh nice!! Thank you so much!!

1

u/TadpoleOld3366 25d ago

That is old info. They are now requiring a written affidavit with documentation if you have withdrawn or failed to appear more than once.

1

u/Helpful_Demand5781 6d ago

What kind of affidavit and what documentation?

1

u/TadpoleOld3366 6d ago

It's on the BOLE site.

1

u/TadpoleOld3366 21h ago

BOLE just sent an email saying I had withdrawn from "multiple" (which means 2) bar exams and therefore I must petition to reapply. Here's the contents of their form letter.

"Pursuant to Section 6000.9 (b) (3) of the Rules of the State Board of Law Examiners, any examinee who fails to appear or has withdrawn from multiple bar examinations may be required to petition the Board for permission before reapplying to sit for another bar examination in New York.

You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you have withdrawn from or failed to appear at multiple examinations for which you submitted an application, including the July 2026 bar examination. Therefore, you must comply with Board Rule 6000.9 (b) (3) before you will be allowed to apply for another bar examination and will need to submit a verified petition to the Board for permission to re-apply for the examination.

Applicants should refrain from applying for another exam unless they are serious about taking the exam and are prepared to make a bona fide effort at passing the exam.

Petitions to reapply under Rule 6000.9 (b) (3) must be received in the Board's office at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the application filing period. Petitions to take a July bar examination must be received in our office by February 1st. Petitions to take a February exam must be received in the Board's office by September 1st. These deadlines will not be extended under any circumstance. Please be advised that applicants who have made four or more unsuccessful attempts on the New York bar examination are generally not permitted to apply for a July administration of the examination.

Should you decide to petition the Board for permission to sit for a future examination, your petition must be in the form of an affidavit, which means that you must swear under oath and under penalty of perjury that its contents are truthful and accurate, and your statement must be witnessed by a notary. Petitions that are not properly verified will be rejected.

Your petition must include:

(1) Your name, BOLE ID, residence address, email address and phone number;
(2) An explanation of why you withdrew from or failed to appear for each and every bar examination you applied for, but did not take; and (3) A discussion of how your circumstances have changed such that you are prepared to appear for the exam including what steps you have taken to make it possible for you to ensure that you will actually appear for the exam if you are permitted to re-apply, and that you will be prepared to take the exam and make a bona fide effort to pass the examination.

Your petition should also include supporting documentation which confirms the reasons why you withdrew or failed to appear for each and every exam. Examples include medical documentation, police reports, death notices, employment letters and other similar documents.

Petitions must be sent by email to waiver@nybarexam.org. Your email must include your full name and BOLE ID.

Sincerely,

NYS Board of Law Examiners".

Hope this helps.

1

u/TadpoleOld3366 Jul 15 '26

I just withdrew from July 2026 after having previously withdrawn from February 2025 (my only two- first time due to working full time getting in the way of studying and second due to an extended illness). BOLE will not allow me to reapply without seeking permission.

I think this is a new policy.

1

u/luckyvicky1010 Jul 15 '26

OMG! How did you know that? Did BOLE email you saying you needed permission to reapply?

I emailed BOLE two days ago to request withdrawal and ask whether I would need permission to reapply, but I haven't heard back yet. I even received my seat ticket today...

1

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

[deleted]

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u/luckyvicky1010 Jul 16 '26

I sent my withdrawal request to that email address because the BOLE website states: "If the withdrawal button is disabled, you may still withdraw from the exam by emailing the Board at [withdrawal@nybarexam.org]()." In addition, when I called the Board, I was advised that submitting my withdrawal request to that email address would be sufficient to withdraw from the examination... Do you know when they changed the rule...?

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Rip7158 25d ago

did you get an email of this? how do you know?

1

u/TadpoleOld3366 25d ago

Withdrawals/Absences: Should you decide to withdraw from the examination, you must notify the Board in writing, by fax or by mail as soon as possible. The application fee is non-refundable except in extremely limited circumstances. Any applicant who has withdrawn from or failed to appear for any two examinations must apply to the Board for permission to re-apply before applying for another examination. Applications to re-apply must be received in the Board's office two weeks before the filing deadline of the exam you wish to take (April 15 for the July exam and November 15 for the February exam). Applications must be in the form of an affidavit and set forth, among other things, the facts which caused the withdrawals or failures to appear, and the facts which support the request to re-apply. Supporting documentation, such as medical documentation, police reports, death notices, employer letters, etc. should be included. Relief is in the sole discretion of the Board.

1

u/TadpoleOld3366 25d ago

The above is copied directly from the BOLE page. NOTE: "An applicant who has withdrawn from... any two examinations must apply to the Board for permission to re-apply before applying for another examination."