Bluebook Citation 101 -- Academic Format

Bluebook

R. 14 of The Bluebook (22nd ed. 2025) covers the citation of administrative and executive materials.

Federal

Elements for Codified Rules 

• Give the name of the rule/regulation only if commonly cited that way
• Title of CFR
• Code of Federal Regulations abbreviation
• Section (or part)
• Year (cite the most recent edition unless citing a historical version)

Example for Codified Rules

8 C.F.R. § 238.1 (2025).

8 C.F.R. pt.103 (2025).

Elements for Proposed Rules, Notices, or Comments

• Give the name of the rule/regulation only if commonly cited that way
• Volume of Federal Register
• Federal Register abbreviation
• page number (if pinpoint citing give the page the rule/notice/comment begins on and the pinpoint page)
• Date (full date should be used)
• Parenthetical if needed (usually a to be codified parenthetical)

Example for a Proposed Rule

Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employee, 80 Fed. Reg. 38516 (proposed July 6, 2015) (to be codified at 29 C.F.R. pt. 541).

State - R. 14.4

Citation to state administrative materials will follow the same general format. Use T.1 to determine the state's code or register and use small cap font for it.

Example of an Ohio Administrative Code Citation

Ohio Admin. Code 5160-9-01 (2025).

Adjudications

Rule 14.3 is specific regarding administrative adjudications and arbitrations.  Generally, they should conform to Rule 10 for cases but apply Rule 14.3  exceptions. Also look at T.1.

Example

Sisko, 25 M.S.P.R. 258 (1984).

Executive Orders & Proclamations

See T.1. Generally you will cite to Title 3 of the CFR when available. The citation elements consist of:

• Exec. Order abbreviation or Proclamation
• No. followed by the order or proclamation number
• Title 3
• C.F.R.
• Page number
• Year of the CFR edition where it first appeared (because material in Title 3 is not reprinted each year)

Exec. Order No. 13827, 3 C.F.R. 794 (2019).