Rules and Protocol (applicable to in-person licensing examinations)

(Revised May 2023)
1. Introduction 
2. Definitions  
3. General Confidentiality and Security  
4. Format and Timing of the Examination Sitting
    A. Licensing Examination Format
    B. Registration, Screening, and Admission
    C. Licensing Examination Timing and Proctoring
    D. Procedures for the Conclusion of the Examination Sitting
    E. Leaving the Testing Area
    F. Disruptions or Interruptions
5. Permitted Items
6. Mandatory Actions
7. Prohibited Actions
8. Prohibited Items
9. Breach of these Rules and Protocol  
10. Accessibility and Accommodation  
11. COVID-19 Protocols
 

1. Introduction

The Law Society has established these Rules and Protocol pursuant to the Law Society’s Lawyer Licensing Process Policies and Paralegal Licensing Process Policies. All candidates registered in the lawyer licensing process or the paralegal licensing process must comply with these Rules and Protocol, which apply equally (with any necessary modifications) to candidates in either licensing process.

Where these Rules and Protocol appear inconsistent with other information or instructions published or provided by the Law Society relating to Licensing Examinations, these Rules and Protocol apply unless such information or instructions specifically state that they take priority over contrary provisions in these Rules and Protocol.

2. Definitions

“Examination Content” means all information and material (including partial, partially inaccurate, and partially erroneous information and material) related to any Licensing Examination that is not disclosed publicly by the Law Society on its website, including all of the following to the extent that they are not disclosed publicly by the Law Society on its website: any topic, item, question, scenario, fact pattern, case, correct answer, and incorrect answer on a Licensing Examination; the format, structure, organization, process, and evaluation of a Licensing Examination; the types of questions and answers that appear on Licensing Examinations; and all materials that may be provided by the Law Society to candidates in connection with a Licensing Examination during a Licensing Examination (including the Licensing Examination booklet containing questions and answers (correct and incorrect) as well as the Scantron answer sheet), but excluding the Law Society Study Materials.

“Examination Site” means the location of the testing facility for a Licensing Examination designated by the Law Society.

“Examination Sitting” means the writing of a particular Licensing Examination at a time, date, and Examination Site established by the Law Society.

“Law Society” means the Law Society of Ontario.

“Law Society ID Card” means the photo identification card issued by the Law Society to a candidate registered in the lawyer licensing process or paralegal licensing process.

“Law Society Study Materials” means the Licensing Examination study materials provided to candidates by the Law Society.

“Lead Proctor” means (i) an individual designated by the Law Society to manage an Examination Site and the execution of an Examination Sitting and to perform other duties as assigned by the Law Society and (ii) an individual designated by the Law Society to manage a room where a Licensing Examination with accommodations is being held.

“Licensing Examination” means a licensing examination administered by the Law Society.

“Permitted Item” means an item set out below under the heading Permitted Items.

“Policies” means the Licensing Process Policies posted on the Law Society’s website.

“Proctor” means (i) a Lead Proctor and (ii) an individual designated by the Law Society (including a Law Society employee or an independent contractor) to supervise an Examination Site or candidates or to perform related duties, including screening procedures.

“Prohibited Action” means an action set out below under the heading Prohibited Actions.

“Prohibited Item” means an item set out below under the heading Prohibited Items.

“Proper Identification” means a Law Society ID Card (including an expired card) or, with
respect to a candidate who has not been issued a Law Society ID Card, a valid and current
government-issued photo identification that confirms the candidate’s full legal name as it is on
file with the Law Society.

“Religious Attire” means head coverings, facial coverings, or other clothing or accessories worn by a candidate in accordance with a candidate’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practice, or observance. 

“Storage Bag” means a single, re-sealable, clear, plastic storage bag (such as a Ziploc bag) that is no larger than 26.8 cm X 27.3 cm in size.

“Testing Area” means a secure area within an Examination Site that is designated by the Law Society for an Examination Sitting.

“Unauthorized Source” means any source containing Examination Content.

3. General Confidentiality and Security

The Law Society requires that candidates maintain the strict confidentiality and security of the Examination Content.

Stringent protocols and security measures have been put in place to seek to ensure that the integrity of the Licensing Examinations and confidentiality of the Examination Content are maintained. These measures are designed to eliminate any potential unfair advantage among candidates and to avoid the high cost of replacing the Examination Content in the event of a security breach. These protocols and measures have been implemented at all phases of the process to develop and deliver Licensing Examinations, including question development, review, and translation; Licensing Examination booklet printing, transportation, and storage; implementation of the Licensing Examination security protocols; and disposal of Licensing Examination booklets following an Examination Sitting. 

All Examination Content is the exclusive property of the Law Society and is protected by copyright to the greatest extent permitted by law.

In order to preserve the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the Licensing Examinations, candidates are strictly prohibited at all times from receiving from or disclosing to any person or organization (other than the Law Society), retaining, reproducing (through memorization or by any other means), or publishing any Examination Content.

The Law Society may photograph, audio-record, video-record, or audio- and video-record the screening areas, a Testing Area, or a candidate for all reasonable purposes. Such purposes include purposes related to Licensing Examination security and integrity (including quality assurance), as well as assessments of candidates’ integrity, honesty, and good character. The Law Society may use and disclose such recordings for all reasonable purposes.

If the Law Society has reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate may be in breach of these Rules and Protocol, the Law Society may either refuse to grant access to the Testing Area or may grant access subject to conditions.

Where a Proctor is unable to ascertain whether an item is an Unauthorized Source (e.g., because some or all of the content in the item cannot be understood or is not known by the Proctor), the Law Society will endeavour to locate someone able to assist the Proctor. If this cannot be done prior to the start of the Examination Sitting, the Law Society will take such steps as are consistent with the provisions of these Rules and Protocol and appropriate in the circumstances.

At any time, the Law Society may review, retain, destroy, or use in a proceeding

• any item that a candidate seeks to bring, or brings, into the Testing Area that may be a Prohibited Item or that may not be a Permitted Item; and
• any item that a candidate seeks to remove from the Testing Area that is not permitted to be removed from the Testing Area.

The Law Society provides information to Proctors and service providers to facilitate the delivery of Licensing Examinations and the processing of results.

Candidates must bring all print materials (including the Law Society Study Materials, other study materials, dictionaries, books, texts, and notes) on which they wish to rely while writing a Licensing Examination into the Testing Area prior to the start of the Examination Sitting.

4. Format and Timing of the Examination Sitting

A. Licensing Examination Format

Licensing Examinations may be written in either French or English. At the Examination Site, announcements will be made in both languages unless, as of ten business days prior to the Examination Sitting, there are no candidates at that Examination Site who have registered to write the Licensing Examination in one of the languages or who have indicated that their language of correspondence is one of the languages (in which case announcements will not be made in that language).

The total length of each Licensing Examination is 4 hours and 30 minutes. Each Licensing Examination contains 160 questions. There is no scheduled break, and the amount of time allotted for the Licensing Examination contemplates that candidates may need to use some of the allotted time to visit the restroom. Security protocols will be in place for all visits to the restroom.

Candidates are not permitted to use the restroom (i) during the announcements that are made before the Examination Sitting, (ii) during the announcements that are made at the end of the Examination Sitting, and (iii) during dismissal procedures. Candidates are permitted to use the restroom during the time period when the Licensing Examination itself is being written.

Candidates are not permitted to leave the Testing Area during the final 30 minutes of the allotted time for the Licensing Examination, even if they have completed writing their Licensing Examination.

Candidates must mark their answers on the Scantron answer sheet provided. Answers marked within the Licensing Examination booklet will not be reviewed or scored. The Scantron answer sheet has more numbers than the number of questions on the Licensing Examination. Candidates should periodically check to ensure that the answer bubbles they are filling in on the Scantron answer sheet correspond correctly to the respective question number they are answering.

B. Registration, Screening, and Admission

Candidates who have registered for an Examination Sitting must arrive at the Examination Site at least 90 minutes before the scheduled start time for the Examination Sitting.

Candidates must store any outerwear items brought into the Examination Site, including coats, ponchos, hats and other headgear, and gloves, with the complimentary coat check service provided at the Examination Site.

The Law Society is not responsible for lost, stolen, broken, or misplaced property. The Law Society strongly recommends that candidates not bring the following items to the Examination Site:

• items that are valuable;
• items that have sentimental value;
• items that are difficult to replace; and
• items not related to the Licensing Examination.

 

Following arrival at an Examination Site and the checking of outerwear with the coat check service, candidates must, in order to be eligible to write the Licensing Examination, first report to the registration desk to sign the registration sheet in the presence of a Proctor. Candidates must present their Proper Identification at that time, for confirmation of their identity. Candidates without Proper Identification will not be admitted into the Testing Area.

The Law Society ID Card follows protocols established by Citizenship and Immigration Canada with respect to photograph specifications. Hats and head coverings must not be worn, unless they are worn daily as a result of religious beliefs or for medical reasons. In every case, a candidate’s full face must be clearly visible and any head covering must not cast any shadows on the candidate’s face. At the time of registration or security screening, a candidate may be asked to remove any Religious Attire or head covering worn for medical reasons, or any part thereof, if necessary to establish the candidate’s identity or for security or Licensing Examination integrity purposes. If the Law Society requires this, the Law Society will take measures to respect the dignity of the candidate. When removal is requested, the candidate is encouraged to provide the requestor with information regarding any restrictions on the method or manner by which the candidate’s religious beliefs or medical condition permit the candidate to remove the Religious Attire or head covering worn for medical reasons, and the Law Society will ensure that the candidate’s dignity is respected.

After a candidate has signed the registration sheet, a Proctor at the registration desk will issue the candidate a registration wristband that indicates the candidate’s pre-assigned seat number. The Proctor will immediately secure the registration wristband to the candidate’s right wrist. The candidate must wear the registration wristband for the duration of the Examination Sitting.

Candidates are not permitted to enter the Testing Area without their registration wristband.

Following registration, candidates must proceed to the designated screening area and submit to an inspection by Proctors of all personal items. Candidates will be required to proceed through a screening area upon entry to and exit from the Testing Area. Proctors will be closely monitoring candidates as well as candidates’ belongings, clothing, eyeglasses, pockets, buttons, etc. for any items that are not Permitted Items (including Prohibited Items).

Candidates must comply with all Proctor instructions directed at facilitating Licensing Examination security and respond honestly to all Proctor questions. If candidates have any concerns about a specific request or question, they should immediately request to speak with a Law Society staff member.

Candidates are discouraged from having others accompany them into the Examination Site. People (including children, friends, spouses, etc.) who accompany a candidate into the Examination Site are not permitted access to the areas designated for candidates (e.g., coat check area, registration area, screening area, Testing Area) and are not permitted to contact a candidate when the candidate is in the Testing Area. Candidates must ensure that those who accompany them into the Examination Site abide by all Law Society requirements and Proctor instructions.

Candidates should advise those who may need to contact the candidate on an urgent basis during the Licensing Examination (e.g., as a result of an emergency) to contact the Licensing and Accreditation department at the Law Society, which will, if possible, relay a message to the candidate.

To ensure the security of the Testing Area, Prohibited Items are not permitted inside the Testing Area. Candidates should pay close attention to the list of Prohibited Items.

Candidates are strongly encouraged not to seek to bring into the Testing Area paper materials that contain a combination of content that constitutes a Prohibited Item and content that is not prohibited. Once they are in the screening area, candidates may not be permitted to separate out content that constitutes a Prohibited Item (e.g., examination questions and answers) from content that is not prohibited. The entirety of the paper materials may be taken by the Law Society for investigation or destruction.

Candidates must be seated in their assigned seats within the Testing Area by no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the Examination Sitting. Upon entering the Testing Area, candidates must proceed directly to their assigned seat. Candidates are not permitted to leave the Testing Area after they have entered the Testing Area unless they have completed their Licensing Examination (in which case they must follow the required procedures). Candidates should confirm that they have arrived at their assigned seat by checking that the seat number identified on their desk matches the seat number listed on their registration wristband.

Candidates who fail to arrive at the Examination Site in sufficient time to complete all screening protocols prior to the start of the Licensing Examination will not be permitted entry into the Testing Area until they have completed screening protocols and will not be granted additional time to complete the Licensing Examination.

No candidate will be permitted entry into the Testing Area after the first hour of the Licensing Examination has elapsed. Candidates who are denied entry because they arrived at the Examination Site more than one hour late or did not complete the required screening protocols will be deemed to have failed to attend the Examination Sitting.

Candidates who do not write a Licensing Examination as scheduled and fail to provide sufficient evidence of an unexpected emergency or a medical concern will receive an official result of “Unexcused Absence” for the Licensing Examination. 

A candidate who opens the sealed Licensing Examination package is deemed to have attempted the Licensing Examination. The candidate’s Scantron answer sheet will be marked and an official result given, whether or not the candidate completes the Licensing Examination.

The temperature of the Examination Site and Testing Area may be different from what is most comfortable for each individual candidate. Candidates are encouraged to dress appropriately.

Candidates should be prepared for minor distractions and temperature variations in the Testing Area.    

C. Licensing Examination Timing and Proctoring 

Time is kept by a digital timer and a clock visible to all candidates. The Lead Proctor will start and stop the timer and instruct candidates when to start and stop writing the Licensing Examination.

No verbal time cues will be provided during the writing of the Examination. Candidates may make use of the projected digital timer and clock to track their progress through the Licensing Examination.

Proctors will monitor and observe all candidates during the Examination Sitting.

D. Procedures for the Conclusion of the Examination Sitting

When the Lead Proctor makes the announcement that the allotted time for the Examination Sitting is over, all candidates must immediately stop writing, put down pencils and erasers, and close their Licensing Examination booklet. Candidates who fail to abide by an instruction to stop will receive an official result of “Fail” for the Licensing Examination.

At the conclusion of the Examination Sitting, all candidates must remain seated until Proctors have collected all materials required to be collected by the Proctors and advised candidates that they may leave their seats. Restroom breaks are not permitted during this time. 

Proctors will collect the Scantron answer sheets and Licensing Examination booklets.

The Lead Proctor will provide instructions for dismissal from the Testing Area. The dismissal process involves a security screening and can take up to 30 minutes.

Candidates must demonstrate to the Proctor that they do not possess any paper materials (including tissues, wrapping, and receipts), except for their coat check tickets, when leaving the Testing Area. The Proctor will thereafter check for any paper materials. Should any paper materials be found, the candidate may be deemed to have breached these Rules and Protocol and the Law Society may take all reasonable action.

The candidate must leave all paper-based, paper, and print materials, including the Law Society Study Materials, other study materials, dictionaries, books, texts, tissues, and notes that the candidate brought into the Testing Area, as well as binders, the disposable bag used to carry print materials into the Testing Area, and all other items that the candidate brought into the Testing Area (other than clothing, eyeglasses, a wallet, medication, keys, beverages, and non-paper items that are permitted by these Rules and Protocol to be in the Storage Bag), in the Testing Area at the candidate’s desk when the candidate leaves the Testing Area. After the Examination Sitting, the Law Society will arrange for the shredding, disposal, or destruction of such materials. 

Candidates may use metal binder rings instead of binders or cerlox binding to hold their materials together if they wish to avoid having to leave bindings behind for destruction. Metal binder rings are permitted to be removed from the Testing Area.

E. Leaving the Testing Area

Candidates are not permitted to leave the Testing Area until at least one hour has elapsed after the start of the Examination Sitting. Candidates who exit the Testing Area once the Licensing Examination has started will not be permitted re-entry.

Candidates who determine that they have completed the Licensing Examination more than 30 minutes prior to the end of the allotted time must raise their hand and remain seated until a Proctor has attended their desk.

In order not to disturb candidates who are still writing, candidates who exit the Testing Area prior to the allotted time must do so quietly and must not gather with other candidates in any area adjacent to the Testing Area. Upon exiting the Testing Area, candidates must collect their personal belongings and exit the Examination Site immediately.

As indicated above, candidates who determine that they have completed the Licensing Examination during the final 30 minutes of the allotted time are not permitted to leave the Testing Area early and must remain seated in the Testing Area until the announcement is made for all candidates to stop writing.

In order for a candidate to depart the Testing Area, the candidate must receive an Exit Pass from a Proctor. Before a candidate receives an Exit Pass, a Proctor will review the candidate’s Licensing Examination booklet and Scantron answer sheet and collect all Licensing Examination materials. Candidates are not permitted to leave the Testing Area without an Exit Pass.

F. Disruptions or Interruptions

If there is a disruption during the Examination Sitting, instructions will be provided orally or projected on a screen at the front of the Testing Area.

Candidates must comply with any instructions from the Law Society, including to stop writing if the Licensing Examination clock is stopped. The Law Society may elect not to provide any instructions or take any action if the disruption is brief or minor.

Unforeseen circumstances may cause the Examination Sitting to end later than the scheduled end time. Candidates must therefore ensure they are available until at least 60 minutes after the scheduled end time of each Examination Sitting for which they are registered. Candidates are encouraged to allow for more than this amount of time, as candidates will not be permitted to continue their Licensing Examination at another time or on another day even if they must leave, and no fees will be refunded.

5. Permitted Items

Candidates must not bring any items into the Testing Area that are not Permitted Items. The following are the only Permitted Items.

1.     The following items provided by the Law Society on the day of the candidate’s Licensing Examination: Licensing Examination booklet with questions, Scantron answer sheet, two pencils, a highlighter, a calculator, and an eraser.

2.     Paper-based, paper, and print materials prepared for the purpose of assisting the candidate in writing the examination, including Law Society Study Materials, other study materials, dictionaries, books, texts, and notes, any of which may be bound or loose but none of which may contain Examination Content or be a Prohibited Item.

3.     Binder rings, cerlox bindings, or binders for print materials.

4.     A disposable bag that must not be luggage and that does not contain any internal pockets, used to carry print materials into the Testing Area.

5.     A single sweater, blazer, cardigan, wrap, or hooded sweatshirt (in addition to clothing or eyeglasses being worn by a candidate that do not contain any Prohibited Items).

6.     Non-alcoholic beverages in containers that are completely transparent, resealable, and plastic.

7.     A single Storage Bag.

8.     The following items, but only if they are secured within the one permitted Storage Bag:

(a)   Proper Identification;

(b)   food in its original wrapping/container or re-covered in a clear wrapping (e.g., plastic wrap); 

(c)   hygiene products;

(d)   medication in clear containers or clear packaging (and not in non-clear pillboxes, organizers, or cases);

(e)   tissues (loose or in a clear wrapping);

(f)   a wallet containing no paper items other than money;

(g)   keys;

(h)   foam earplugs, subject to screening and approval by a Proctor; and

(i)   unused or extra sticky notes and notepaper.

6. Mandatory Actions

Candidates must do all of the following with respect to a Licensing Examination:

1. arrive at the Examination Site in sufficient time to complete all screening protocols before Licensing Examination announcements commence (note that candidates will not receive additional time to complete the Licensing Examination if they start writing their Licensing Examination after the Licensing Examination has started);
2. comply with all registration and screening procedures;
3. in the Testing Area, be seated and ready to listen to all announcements by 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the Licensing Examination;
4. display their Proper Identification at the top right corner of their desk (or whichever corner is closest to the aisle) in the Testing Area at all times during the Examination Sitting;
5. in the Testing Area, keep any garment that is a Permitted Item beneath their seat when not being worn;
6. remove all paper other than money (e.g., proof of insurance form, paper forms of identification, lottery tickets, travel documents, photos) from any wallet brought into the Testing Area before entering the Testing Area (as with all paper, even if such papers were inadvertently left in a wallet, they are not permitted to be removed from the Testing Area once they have been brought in);
7. at the Examination Site, remove Religious Attire or head coverings worn for medical reasons, or any part thereof, upon the request of a Proctor or the Law Society, as necessary to establish identity or to meet security protocols; 
8. comply with the Policies and these Rules and Protocol;
9. at the Examination Site, comply with all requests or instructions made by a Proctor before, during, or after an Examination Sitting, including a request to leave the Testing Area;
10. at the Examination Site, treat Proctors and other candidates appropriately and with respect;
11. at the Examination Site, respond honestly to all Proctor questions;
12. at the Examination Site, at any time upon the reasonable request of a Proctor or the Law Society, allow the Proctor or the Law Society to inspect their personal property for Prohibited Items;
13. keep their Storage Bag directly under their chair at all times during the writing of the Licensing Examination, except as otherwise specifically permitted by a Proctor;
14. raise their hand if they require an item from their Storage Bag, require a garment from below their seat, or require the use of the restroom during the Licensing Examination and in all cases wait for a Proctor to attend and assist them (in the case of a restroom visit, a Proctor will collect Licensing Examination materials and escort candidates to and from the restroom); and
15. mark their answers on the Scantron answer sheet provided by the Law Society.

Candidates must advise the Law Society in writing immediately should they become aware of the existence of an Unauthorized Source that is outside the care and control of the Law Society, the use of same by another candidate, or the promotion or distribution of same by any entity or person (with the exception that a candidate may use the Licensing Examination booklet provided to the candidate directly by the Law Society for the sole purpose of completing the candidate’s Licensing Examination, honestly and with integrity, on the candidate’s scheduled Licensing Examination date and at the candidate’s scheduled Licensing Examination time).

7. Prohibited Actions

Candidates must not engage in any of the following, each of which is a Prohibited Action:

1. falsifying or misrepresenting information required for admission to the Testing Area;
2. allowing themselves to be impersonated at any time in the licensing process;
3. impersonating any other candidate;
4. having or attempting to have another person write a Licensing Examination on their behalf;
5. writing or attempting to write a Licensing Examination on behalf of another person;
6. breaching or attempting to breach the security of the Examination Content by any means (including seeking to make, transmit, or retain a copy or imperfect copy of any portion thereof);
7. photographing, audio-recording, video-recording, or audio- and video-recording inside the Examination Site on the days of an Examination Sitting;
8. communicating or attempting to communicate with any person about the Examination Content;
9. obtaining from any other person or entity any Examination Content (including information related to a question or answer on a Licensing Examination, such as a portion of a question or answer or the general content of a question or answer), with the exception that candidates will receive the Licensing Examination booklet directly from the Law Society for the sole purpose of completing their Licensing Examination, honestly and with integrity, on their scheduled Licensing Examination date and at their scheduled Licensing Examination time;
10. providing to any other person or entity any Examination Content (including information related to a question or answer on a Licensing Examination, such as a portion of a question or answer or the general content of a question or answer);
11. being in possession of, using, relying on, or consulting an Unauthorized Source or information obtained therefrom at any time, whether before, during, or after a Licensing Examination, with the exception that candidates will possess, use, rely on, and consult the content of the Licensing Examination booklet provided to them directly by the Law Society for the sole purpose of completing their Licensing Examination, honestly and with integrity, on their scheduled Licensing Examination date and at their scheduled Licensing Examination time;
12. engaging in any form of dishonesty, fraud, cheating, misrepresentation, or other misconduct in respect of a Licensing Examination;
13. having access to, accessing, or using a Permitted Item for any purpose other than to complete the Licensing Examination honestly and with integrity;
14. having access to, accessing, seeking to access, or using any electronic, communication, recording, or similar device during an Examination Sitting or while in possession of a Licensing Examination booklet or related Scantron answer sheet;
15. making any recording or sending or streaming any information during an Examination Sitting or while in possession of a Licensing Examination booklet or related Scantron answer sheet;
16. copying another candidate’s answer to a question on a Licensing Examination;
17. receiving an answer to a question on a Licensing Examination from another person or entity;
18. obtaining any information from, or giving any information to, any other candidate during an Examination Sitting;
19. opening the sealed Licensing Examination booklet prior to being instructed to do so by the Lead Proctor;
20. sharing any materials or items with any other candidate during an Examination Sitting;
21. looking at any other candidate’s print materials (including the Scantron answer sheet and Licensing Examination booklet) during an Examination Sitting;
22. allowing another candidate to look at their print materials (including the Scantron answer sheet and Licensing Examination booklet) during an Examination Sitting;
23. communicating through any means (by gesture, speech, writing, etc.) with anyone during an Examination Sitting (including in the restroom, on the way to or from the restroom, or during the dismissal procedures), other than to request assistance from a Proctor;
24. removing anything from another candidate’s desk;
25. using anything other than the pencils provided by the Law Society to fill in the Scantron answer sheet;
26. at the Examination Site, failing to abide by the instructions and directions of a Proctor;
27. at the Examination Site, being physically or verbally abusive towards any candidate or Proctor;
28. at the Examination Site, behaving inappropriately (including by disrupting the Examination Sitting);
29. selecting any answers prior to an announcement to start writing the Licensing Examination;
30. writing, erasing, or otherwise altering anything on the Scantron answer sheet or anywhere else while in the Testing Area after an announcement to stop writing the Licensing Examination;
31. creating any continuing distraction by sound, movement, or odour that could disrupt the concentration of other candidates in the Testing Area; 
32. consuming food in the Testing Area that is noisy, distracting, or has a strong scent (e.g., uncut apples, raw carrots, unpeeled oranges, fish);
33. at the Examination Site, ​wearing or applying strongly scented products, other than required medicines or as required to meet medical needs;
34. accessing their Storage Bag during the writing of the Licensing Examination except with the approval, and under the direct supervision, of a Proctor;
35. having anything in their pockets in the Testing Area;
36. at the Examination Site, refusing to cooperate with a Proctor or to satisfy requests made by the Proctor;
37. in the Testing Area, failing to remain seated until a Proctor permits them to get up;
38. having anything other than Permitted Items in the Testing Area;
39. accessing anything other than a Permitted Item in the Testing Area;
40. bringing into the Testing Area any unauthorized materials, including a Prohibited Item;
41. wearing a watch in the Testing Area;
42. carrying a cellphone into the Testing Area;
43. bringing a wallet into the Testing Area that has any paper products other than money in it;
44. in the Testing Area, wearing the hood of a hoodie or a scarf, wrap, or similar article of clothing (other than Religious Attire) over their head or covering the sides of their head;
45. at the Examination Site, obscuring the hood on a hoodie in such a way that it cannot be seen (e.g., tucking it inside the hoodie);
46. removing any paper, paper-based, and print items from the Testing Area (note that the Law Society Study Materials, other study materials, dictionaries, books, texts, and notes must be left in the Testing Area, so candidates should ensure they have copies of all paper-based items before entering the Examination Site);
47. removing anything from the Testing Area other than items specifically permitted by these Rules and Protocol to be removed;
48. permitting anything to occur that could reasonably be expected to negatively impact the security or integrity of the Licensing Examination, or failing to take measures to prevent such occurrence where such failure could reasonably be expected to negatively impact the security or integrity of the Licensing Examination;
49. performing any action that could reasonably be expected to negatively impact the security or integrity of the Licensing Examination; and
50. assisting a person to carry out any of the above activities.

Reminder: All paper, paper-based, and print materials (including books, study materials, or insurance slips or lottery tickets left in a wallet) and various other items (e.g., binders, cerlox bindings, disposable bag) must be left in the Testing Area and will not be returned to candidates under any circumstances.

8. Prohibited Items

The Permitted Items set out above are the only items permitted inside the Testing Area. For additional specificity, please note that the following are Prohibited Items. Candidates must not bring Prohibited Items into, or have Prohibited Items in, the Testing Area.

1. Devices or technologies that can photograph, receive, transmit, or record any information (including video, audio, still, and motion).
2. Mechanical, electric, electronic, and similar devices, including computers, USB keys, tablets, cell phones, pagers, calculators (other than the calculator provided by the Law Society for the Examination Sitting), e-readers, electronic paging devices, recording or filming devices, cameras, tape recorders, earphones, earbuds, headsets, MP3 players, and radios.
3. Watches, stopwatches, or electronic bracelets of any kind.
4. Luggage, including book bags, backpacks, handbags, tote bags, purses, suitcases, and briefcases.
5. Writing and marking supplies (e.g., pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters), other than those supplied by the Law Society for the Examination Sitting.
6. Unauthorized Sources (excluding the Licensing Examination booklet provided to the specific candidate directly by the Law Society for the sole purpose of that candidate completing that candidate’s Licensing Examination, honestly and with integrity, on that candidate’s scheduled Licensing Examination date and at that candidate’s scheduled Licensing Examination time).
7. Documents containing content that may appear to a Proctor to be an Unauthorized Source.
8. Documents containing what appear to be examination questions, answers, or questions and answers, including those marked as “practice,” those created by a candidate, those created by a third party, and those that are mere lists of numbers and letters (but excluding the pre-printed content of the Law Society Study Materials as published by the Law Society).
9. Props, such as copyholders or clipboards or rulers.
10. Food, unless contained within the Storage Bag.
11. Glass containers.
12. Weapons of any kind, including sharp objects, firearms, explosive devices, razor blades, non-plastic cutlery, box cutters, and knives.
13. Outerwear, including coats, ponchos, hats, toques, headgear, and gloves, except for Religious Attire.

9. Breach of these Rules and Protocol

A breach or suspected breach of these Rules and Protocol may result in one or more of the following:

1. the confiscation of candidate property by the Law Society following inspection, where the Law Society has reason to believe that the property was, is being, or may be used to compromise Licensing Examination security;
2. a candidate being refused entry to the Testing Area;
3. a candidate being obligated to leave the Testing Area;
4. a “Fail” result on the Licensing Examination;
5. a voiding of the result given on the Licensing Examination;
6. the preparation of a written report on the conduct of the candidate and its provision to the Professional Regulation Department for investigation;
7. discipline and removal from the licensing process pursuant to the Policies;
8. the initiation of legal proceedings by the Law Society against the candidate;
9. a report to the police;
10. the sharing of information related to the breach with other regulatory or licensing bodies; and
11. the pursuit by the Law Society of any other legal remedies available to it. 

10. Accessibility and Accommodation

Notwithstanding any provision or requirement contained in these Rules and Protocol, a candidate who requires accommodation may request accommodation in accordance with the Policies, and the Law Society will provide accommodation to the candidate in accordance with the Policy and Procedures for Accommodations for Candidates in the Lawyer and Paralegal Licensing Processes. For further information regarding accommodations, please see the Law Society's Accommodations page.

Without limiting the information set out elsewhere in these Rules and Protocol, candidates should be mindful that an approved accommodation plan from the Law Society is required in order to bring a pillow, back support, wrist/arm support, glucose monitoring device, etc. into a Testing Area, as these are not Permitted Items. Candidates should be mindful that, in many cases, a candidate who receives an accommodation must write the Licensing Examination at an Examination Site designated for the provision of accommodations.

Candidates who use a rollator, walker, wheelchair, or similar mobility assistive device do not require an approved accommodation plan if there is no need for an accommodation other than to bring the mobility assistive device into the Testing Area. Mobility assistive devices, like everything else brought into the Testing Area, are subject to security screening. Candidates who use a mobility assistive device are strongly encouraged to contact the Law Society in advance to receive information regarding accessible entrances, adjusted seating arrangements (to ensure safety protocols regarding aisles are maintained), and screening protocols.

Candidates are prohibited from disclosing any accommodation granted to them by the Law Society, or information related thereto, to any person other than

1.  a medical professional, such disclosure being permitted
(a) only for the strict purpose of the medical professional advising or evaluating the candidate with respect to the writing of the Licensing Examinations; and
(b) only to the extent necessary to meet such purpose; and

2.  the candidate’s family, friend, or service provider, such disclosure being permitted
(a) only for the strict purpose of receiving support with the implementation of an accommodation (e.g., to drop off or pick up the candidate from the Examination Site or a medical appointment); and 
(b) only to the extent necessary to meet such purpose. 

For clarity, candidates are not prohibited from discussing their feelings or mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety) arising from the Licensing Examinations.

11. COVID-19 Protocols

1. Candidates may elect to wear a mask while at the Examination Site; however, candidates must pull down or remove their mask when required to do so by a Proctor for identification and security purposes.
2. Proof of vaccination is not required to sit the Licensing Examinations.

These Rules and Protocol may be updated. Candidates should regularly check the Licensing Examinations webpage and their online accounts for the most current information about the Licensing Examinations. The Law Society provides information about specific Examination Sittings prior to the dates of those Examination Sittings.