Given the price tag for a law school education (an average of around $217,000 ), it makes you wonder if you can take the bar without attending law school. Well, the short answer is not really. This article dispels some myths and breaks down the biggest things you need to know about this topic.
Bar Exam Without Attending Law School
Currently, there are four states that allow you to take the bar without attending or completing law school: California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. But before you race to enroll in a bar prep program, there are some conditions that apply. Below is the breakdown of provisions by state.
California
Rule 4.29 of The State Bar of California provides the following prerequisite for taking the bar without attending law school: You must have completed at least 2 years of college and “studied law in a law office or judge’s chambers during regular business hours for at least 18 hours each week for a minimum of 48 weeks to receive credit for one year of study.” There are also reporting requirements that the judge or law office must abide by, as well.
Vermont
Vermont allows a Law Office Study (LOS) program to satisfy requirements for taking the bar exam. Specifically, Rule 7 of the Rules of Admission to the Bar of the Vermont Supreme Court permits bachelor’s degree holders to apprentice for four years with a judge or attorney in a LOS program consisting of not less than 25 hours per 7-day week within a calendar year of no fewer than 44 weeks.
Virginia State Bar
The Law Reader Program gives potential lawyers in the state of Virginia an alternative to law school. According to the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, if you hold a bachelor’s degree and study law under the supervision of an attorney for three years, consisting of 25 hours per week and 40 weeks per year, you can qualify to take the bar.
Washington
The Law Clerk Program is Washington’s alternative to law school. It’s a four-year program that combines study and work experience with a judge or attorney. Upon completion, you can take the Washington State Bar exam. You must have a bachelor’s degree to enter the program.
Attorney or Judge
Whether you work for an attorney in a law office or clerk for a judge, both options can give you a solid legal education with strong work experience. Beyond that, there could be substantial savings when you compare the cost of tuition and fees at a traditional ABA-accredited law school.
Law Clerk Program
There are several law clerk programs that may be available near you. But most programs require completion of at least two years of law school. And some programs are even available within the U.S. government. For example, if you’re interested in constitutional law, there is a law clerk program with the American Law Division that sometimes offers stipends or academic credit.
Law Office Study Program
Different states may offer a variation of what is known as a law office study program. In essence, it is an alternative path to a traditional law school education that helps you prepare for the bar exam. Keep in mind that there may be fees associated with these programs, in addition to educational prerequisites.
Law Reader Program
A Law Reader Program is like law office study in that it provides a different way to become an attorney. You learn through work experience at a law office or with a judge. Prerequisites and fees may apply. Of course, completing a law reader program will not reward you with a J.D.
Sit for the Bar
Regardless of the state you are in (or wish to practice law in), the bar exam is the rite of passage to obtain a legal license. To sit for the bar means you have completed the required legal education (as defined by your state) in order to take the test, plus you will need to pass a background and moral character review.
Passing the Bar Exam
According to The Bar Examiner, there is a wide fluctuation in success rates when it comes passing the bar. The data based on type of education is compelling. For the year 2024, here are the passing rates:
| Source of Legal Education | Percent Passing |
|---|---|
| ABA-approved law school | 67% pass rate |
| Non-ABA law school | 23% pass rate |
| Law office study | 28% pass rate |
There are several popular bar prep courses you can take, including Barbri, Quimbee, and Themis Law Review. Of course, many ABA-accredited schools also offer bar prep courses.
ABA Accredited Law School
The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved 197 law schools with its accreditation. These schools have met a high standard for legal education and have demonstrated success in graduating individuals who are well prepared to take the bar exam. As demonstrated in the table above, the bar exam passing rate amongst students who attended an ABA-approved law school is nearly 3 times higher than those who did not attend an ABA-approved school.
Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship programs give you real world experience. Even if you attend law school, there are now minimum requirements (usually 6 course credits of experiential learning) to satisfy before graduating. If you go through a LOS or Law Reader program, this is the equivalent of an apprenticeship.
Legal Education
Whether you choose to take an unconventional route to becoming an attorney is a personal choice. Since a traditional legal education (i.e. law school) is not necessarily the only path to take and pass the bar, you have a lot more to consider. In addition to the four states that do not require any formal law school education to sit for the bar, there are some states (like New York and Maine) that allow partial law school education to qualify. In other words, you may have to complete one or two years of law school coupled with study in a law office or with a judge.
Take your time to thoroughly research your legal education options based on location, overall costs, and number of years of commitment.
