Earn a Law Degree Online in California

The ABA Standards for the Approval of Law Schools will not currently approve a JD program from a law school that is fully online. However, the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California accredits law schools independently of the ABA. California’s accreditation rules do permit accreditation of fully online law schools. Purdue Global Law School is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, and its Juris Doctor graduates are eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam upon graduation.

A traditional, in-person Juris Doctor (JD) program takes 3 years to complete for a full-time student and 4 years to complete as a part-time student. At Purdue Global Law School, the part-time JD program typically takes 4 years to complete.

Purdue Global Law School has its own online admissions exam and does not require applicants to take the LSAT (unless they were previously academically dismissed from a law school). Most campus-based ABA law schools require the LSAT, although in recent years, some traditional schools have begun to accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as well.

Learn more about the requirements to get into law school.

There are four basic requirements to become a lawyer in California:

1. Complete your JD degree at a law school approved by the ABA or State Bar of California.

2. Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE)

3. Pass the California Bar Exam

4. Pass California’s moral character and fitness screening.

As of 2022, California has the highest number of lawyers in the United States. That figure is projected to grow by 8.1% by the year 2028, producing an annual average of 6,150 job openings.

See Notes and Conditions section below for important information.

About 71% of lawyers in California work in the private sector. Among those working in the private sector, most work for a law firm, and others work as solo practitioners or as in-house counsel. For those working at a law firm, about 63% work at a relatively small firm (between 2 and 50 attorneys), and 26% work at very large firms (200+ attorneys).

Thirteen percent of California lawyers work in government, with the highest number working for county governments. There are also paths in federal and state government as well as city government and other roles. This breakdown between public and private lawyers in California is similar to the difference at the national level.

See Notes and Conditions section below for important information.

In-person administration of the California Bar Exam resumed in February 2022. California is exploring possible modifications to the bar exam, and it is possible that an online option may become available in the future.

There are a number of specializations for lawyers to pursue in California. The California State Bar Board of Legal Specializations certifies lawyers in the following areas of specialization:

• Admiralty and maritime law

• Appellate law

• Bankruptcy law

• Criminal law

• Estate planning, trust, and probate law

• Family law

• Franchise and distribution law

• Immigration and nationality law

• Legal malpractice law

• Taxation law

• Workers' compensation law

Lawyers may also choose to pursue specialization from a California Board of Legal Specialization certified organization. These organizations certify lawyers in the following areas:

• Business bankruptcy law

• Consumer bankruptcy law

• Creditors' rights law

• Civil trial advocacy

• Criminal trial advocacy

• Family law trial advocacy

• Social security disability law

• Legal malpractice

• Medical malpractice

• Elder law

• Juvenile law (child welfare)

See Notes and Conditions section below for important information.