Kardashian Results: Can You Take the Bar Without Going to Law School

Kardashian Results: Can You Take the Bar Without Going to Law School

By Sophia Vance, Legal Education Reporter | March 16, 2026 | Legal Apprenticeship Licensing Pathways

LOS ANGELES — "We are proud of the hard work that goes into this non-traditional path," State Bar Trustee Brandon Stallings said Wednesday. His comment followed Kim Kardashian's announcement of her California Bar Exam results, highlighting interest in can you take the bar without going to law school in the state, according to Entertainment Tonight.

Kardashian's completion of her six-year legal study program has brought national attention to alternative pathways to the legal profession. These non-traditional programs remain a controversial but viable option for independent candidates.

California Non-Traditional Apprenticeship Program Guidelines

California's Law Office Study Program, regulated under Rule 4.29 of the State Bar Rules, permits applicants to qualify for the bar exam by working in a law office. The program requires 18 hours of study each week for four consecutive years under the supervision of an attorney with five years of active practice.

This framework allows candidates to bypass the high tuition costs associated with traditional law schools, making the legal profession more accessible to diverse applicants. However, apprentices must manage their own curriculum and study schedules without the guidance of professors.

Licensing Results: Can You Take the Bar Without Going to Law School

While California is famous for allowing this pathway, many legal scholars ask: can you take the bar without going to law school in other jurisdictions? Currently, only four states—California, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington—fully allow legal apprenticeships as an alternative to a Juris Doctor degree.

These programs require rigorous documentation, including monthly reports detailing the specific legal topics covered and examinations administered by the supervising attorney. The lack of standard coursework makes it difficult for many apprentices to pass the multi-state portions of the bar exam.

Trustee Brandon Stallings Explains Board Standards

State Bar of California trustees maintain that alternative paths must meet the same rigorous evaluation standards as traditional academic legal programs. The general bar exam serves as an objective, blind-graded assessment to protect the public.

Candidates looking to enter this field often analyze apprenticeship program success rates in California to evaluate their options. The data shows that while the program offers a low-cost entry, the actual completion and pass rates remain exceptionally low.

Pass Rate Statistics for Apprentices vs. Traditional Graduates

According to statistics from the Committee of Bar Examiners, the cumulative pass rate for Law Office Study Program candidates is under 10 percent. In comparison, graduates from ABA-accredited law schools in California achieve an average first-time pass rate of over 70 percent.

This wide disparity highlights the challenges of self-directed study, as apprentices often struggle to master complex subjects like constitutional law and civil procedure without structured academic support. Many rely heavily on commercial bar prep courses to bridge the gap.

Administrative Standards for California Legal Interns

To maintain compliance with state regulations, apprentices must submit regular portfolios of their work to the state bar for review. These portfolios must contain writing samples, research memos, and proof of supervised legal practice hours.

These strict administrative requirements ensure that the Law Office Study Program remains a rigorous educational experience rather than a shortcut to licensing. For dedicated candidates, the pathway provides a unique opportunity to gain practical, hands-on legal experience while working toward their license.

Frequently Asked Questions

What states allow you to take the bar exam without going to law school?

Four states—California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington—allow candidates to qualify for the bar exam through a legal apprenticeship program. Maine and New York allow a combination of law school study and law office experience, but do not permit purely office-based study.

How many years of study are required for the California Law Office Study Program?

California's program requires four years of study, consisting of at least 18 hours of study and work per week for 48 weeks each year. Apprentices must study under the direct supervision of an attorney in good standing with the State Bar of California for at least five years.

Can an apprentice licensed in California practice law in other states?

Most states require a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school to secure a legal license. An attorney who qualified via apprenticeship in California may find it difficult to transfer their license to another state without practicing for several years first.