In summary, graduates of state-approved law schools may be admitted to the bar in other states, either through the bar exam, or by practicing law in California for a number of years, or both. However, in many other states, a state-accredited degree will never qualify anyone to practice law, so a degree from a state-accredited law school can limit geographic freedom. Prospective students should seriously consider where their lives might take them in the future and should be aware of the geographic doors they close by choosing a state-approved law school instead of an ABA-accredited school. The choice is safest for those with close ties to California and a realistic expectation of staying there for the rest of their lives — or at least for the years it will take to qualify them for bar admission in the few states that allow graduates of state-accredited law schools to practice law. Non-accredited schools with permanent facilities are similar to correspondence and distance schools in their admission procedures: some require LSAT, others do not, but all require at least 60 university credits. Among the schools that need the LSAT, some follow the Aristotle University model mentioned above – students must pass the LSAT, but they can do so up to a year after enrollment. Most schools with permanent facilities require a personal declaration. In general, the rules that govern the eligibility of state-accredited graduates from law school to practice law in other states also apply to graduates of non-accredited schools. However, while state-approved schools are timid in promoting career opportunities, non-accredited schools are positively negligent. Most schools don`t refer to a career services office, and many don`t even dedicate a single page to discussing job opportunities. It should be noted that none of these states allows graduates of law schools recognized by the state of another state to take their bar exams immediately after graduation. Wisconsin, a state known for its relaxed admission procedures for lawyers (graduates of one of Wisconsin`s two law schools are automatically admitted to the bar), allows graduates of state-accredited law schools to take the Wisconsin bar exam instead of waiting three years to apply for admission, but it requires them to pass the bar association first and in the state, in which the establishment is located. Thus, a graduate would have to go through the California bar to be able to sit in the Wisconsin bar.
Exercising the law outside of California, on the other hand, may not be as easy. As the website of any state-accredited school warns, a degree from one of the state-accredited schools does not qualify anyone to take the bar exam in most other states. Prospective students who may wish to practice law outside of California should make sure to familiarize themselves with the rules for admission to the bar in the states where they plan to practice. Most states have reciprocal agreements with other states: lawyers who have been practicing in one state for a number of years can be admitted to the bar of a second state ”upon request,” meaning they do not have to take the second state bar exam. However, you must meet the other bar admission requirements, which in most states include a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school. Two of California`s neighbors, such as Arizona and Oregon, say out-of-state attorneys who wish to be admitted upon request must have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited institution. (California`s third neighbor, Nevada, has no reciprocal agreement with any state; all candidates must take the bar exam.) Once you have successfully completed the LSAT, you are ready to apply to law school. LSAC can help you with this, and some ABA-accredited law schools require you to use the services provided by LSAC when applying.
This list will show you what services are needed or recommended by ABA-accredited law schools. .