On July 30, 2025, during the New York State Bar Exam at Hofstra University, a candidate suffered cardiac arrest in the exam room. Instead of pausing the test to allow paramedics immediate access and to afford dignity and basic decency to all present, proctors insisted examinees continue testing—as life-saving CPR and defibrillation were performed just feet away.

This is not just unacceptable; it is inhumane.

No person should be forced to ignore a life-or-death crisis, nor should proctors feel compelled to choose “procedure” over people. Our profession demands higher moral standards.

We, the undersigned, demand immediate action from the New York State Board of Law Examiners (NY BOLE):

 1. Pause All Exams During Medical Emergencies: Suspend all testing and timers in the affected room for any on-site serious medical crisis until first responders clear the area.

 2. Unobstructed Emergency Response: Require the immediate clearing of space for paramedics, without hesitation or bureaucratic delay.

 3. Transparent Reporting: Commit to public disclosure of all medical incidents during the bar exam and actions taken in response, to rebuild trust.

 4. Mental Health Support and Retesting: Offer counseling services and, where justified, allow any present examinees to opt to retake the exam without penalty or additional cost.

 5. Consult Stakeholders: Involve law students, proctors, health professionals, and disability advocates in rewriting emergency protocols.

The bar exam is a test of knowledge and ethics—never of our willingness to ignore human suffering in the name of rules.

By adding your name, you demand a legal profession that values life and humanity above all else. Together, we can ensure that no future test-taker or proctor has to endure such horror or be forced to participate in such moral compromise.

Sign and share to call for immediate, compassionate reform.

Share this campaign with the hashtags:
#BarExamSafety #PauseTheTest #JusticeForTestTakers #NYBarReform

Let this tragedy be the catalyst for real, lasting change. The time for humane policy is now.