California: lawyer (attorney admission) pathway
Scope
- Degree recognition
A first law degree from outside the US must be shown equivalent to an ABA-approved or California-accredited JD, or to meet the educational requirements for practice in the country where it was obtained.
“Meets the educational requirements for admission to practice law in the foreign state or country in which it was obtained.”
- Program approval or accreditation
Eligibility requires a JD from an ABA-approved or Committee-accredited law school, or four years of study at a Committee-registered law school or in the Law Office Study Program, or meeting the foreign education rules.
“Receiving a Juris Doctor degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE)”
- Additional education or training
Foreign first-degree holders must also complete a year of law study at an ABA-approved or California-accredited law school.
“You must also successfully complete a year of law study at an ABA-approved law school or a California-accredited law school”
- Examination requirements
Applicants fully admitted to practice in any US or foreign jurisdiction may take the California Bar Examination without additional legal education.
“you are qualified to take the California Bar Examination without additional legal education”
- Supervised practice
Four years of diligent study in a registered law school or through the Law Office Study Program is an alternative route.
“Studying law diligently and in good faith for at least four years in a law school registered with the CBE or through the Law Office Study Program”
- Foreign qualification assessment
A State Bar-approved credential evaluation agency must provide a course-by-course report with a Foreign Law Study Evaluation Summary form.
“A detailed, course-by-course evaluation report is required.”
- Residency or other restrictions
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
- Online study
Not confirmed. Professional eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
Regulator: State Bar of California - Committee of Bar Examiners / Office of Admissions · official source for this record · last checked 1 November 2026.