Law Schools Accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California
Bar Admission Resources

Resources

The State Bar of California

Protecting the public & enhancing the administration of justice.

Working as an administrative arm of the California Supreme Court, the State Bar oversees all activities required for admitting attorneys to the practice of law in the nation’s most populous state. California offers more pathways to licensure than any other state.  

Practicing lawyers in California must be licensed by the State Bar. The State Bar’s admission requirements are set by the California Business and Professions Code.

Admissions Requirements

You begin the California State Bar admissions process by first enrolling in a law school and then by registering with the State Bar of California as a law student.

Law Student Registration Portal

In addition to the links below, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) publishes a comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements that is updated annually.  Besides checking the NCBE guide for eligibility requirements, be sure to check with the bar organizations of the states where you may wish to practice law since eligibility requirements are comprehensive and can change at any time.

For Law School Graduates
Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is the act of certifying an educational institution and its programs following a routine process involving verification of compliance with standards related to integrity, financial stability, facilities, curriculum, student achievement, educational quality, etc.

How are law schools accredited in California?

Law schools in California are either accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) of the State Bar of California or they are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and deemed accredited by the CBE.

Where can graduates of law schools take the bar examination and practice law?

Graduates of California Accredited Law Schools (CALS) are eligible to take the bar examination of California to become licensed attorneys in the state, and may be eligible for licensure as attorneys in a number of other states.

Those who graduate from ABA approved law schools are eligible to take the bar examination of any state to become licensed attorneys.

How can I determine if I would be eligible to take the bar examination and practice law in a particular state?

You should contact the state or states where you wish to practice law to make inquiries to determine all pertinent details related to bar examination and bar licensure eligibility.

The mailing address for the State Bar of California is: 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Additional information is available on the Contact Us webpage.