# A motivated, self-taught, person passes state bar exam. Is a law degree required to practice law? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2018, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248 "2018-07-20T01:27:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/1 "2018-07-20T01:27:29Z")
It’s my understanding lawyers like Abe Lincoln and Andrew Jackson were largely self-taught. They used law books that other lawyers had in their offices. Is that still possible in any US state? For example, there are accelerated, cram courses designed to prep people for state bar exams. Former law students might loan textbooks to a friend that can’t afford to attend law school. Is it possible to practice law without a formal degree? Does it matter if it’s civil or criminal law? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/2 "2018-07-20T01:45:59Z")
In Virginia there is a sort of apprentice program, in which one can study law while working for a “Supervising attorney.” You have to have at least a Bachelor’s degree, and the supervisor has to meet strict criteria. > **[VBBE - Law Reader Program - Rules & Regulations](https://barexam.virginia.gov/reader/readerrules.html)** > > VBBE - Law Reader Program - Rules & Regulations ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/3 "2018-07-20T02:00:33Z")
The states differ. Reading the law is allowed in some states. I don’t know if it’s changed but in New York anyone could take a bar exam. I don’t know if passing that automatically got you a license. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/4 "2018-07-20T04:56:33Z")
California, Virginia, Vermont and Washington are the only states that have apprentice pathways that allow you to be admitted to the bar without any formal law school. You still have to study under another attorney for a certain amount of time, though. In addition, you can do law school online. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/5 "2018-07-20T06:10:58Z")
I have an old (1984) copy of [Bears’ Guide to Earning Degrees Nontraditionally](https://www.amazon.com/Earning-Degrees-Nontraditionally-Distance-Learning/dp/0962931241) by ( You guessed it ) [Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bear). In it he talks about studying under a local judge or attorney to become a lawyer without the time or expense of law school. That was 34 years ago and the link I provided was to a copy 20 years ago. So things may have certainly changed. But it could be worth your while to find out what one is still able to do sans law school. I got my Masters Degree from a school (Regents college, University of the State of New York) that I learned about in his book. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/6 "2018-07-20T12:06:58Z")
I realize it would require a lot of study to learn a complex field without attending a graduate school. It is interesting that it’s still possible in a few states. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/7 "2018-07-20T13:20:05Z")
[Frank Abagnale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Abagnale#Attorney) claimed to have passed the Louisiana bar exam on the third try but he had a forged transcript from Harvard Law School so I don’t know if it counts. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/8 "2018-07-20T16:05:29Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > In addition, you can do law school online. Like the _University of American Samoa_. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/9 "2018-07-20T17:31:40Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > In addition, you can do law school online. Online law school only counts in California. All other states require a JD/LLB from an ABA-accredited law school to sit for their bar exams (except in some cases where a lawyer already licensed in another state may do so, and the four which permit reading the law). [Standard 306](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/misc/legal_education/Standards/2017-2018ABAStandardsforApprovalofLawSchools/2017_2018_standards_chapter3.authcheckdam.pdf) of the ABA accreditation guidelines permit law schools to count a maximum of 12 credit hours of distance learning toward a law degree (out of a minimum requirement of 90). ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/10 "2018-07-20T17:59:43Z")
Here’s an article from Slate from 2014 discussing taking the bar exam without graduating from law school in several states. > **[How to Become a Lawyer Without a Law Degree](https://slate.com/business/2014/08/states-that-allow-bar-exams-without-law-degrees-require-apprenticeships-instead-of-law-school.html)** > > This story originally appeared in Business Insider. I thought that California allowed anyone to just jump in and take the law exam but even they have higher standards. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/11 "2018-07-20T18:21:54Z")
In the states in which I am familiar (Florida and Colorado), you have to be cleared to sit for the bar exam. You cannot be cleared unless you have a law degree. So, I am not sure that the premise - taking and passing the bar but not going to law school - is even possible in some places. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-motivated-self-taught-person-passes-state-bar-exam-is-a-law-degree-required-to-practice-law/818248/12 "2018-07-20T18:45:29Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Like the _University of American Samoa_. Go Land Crabs!