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Many people would really like the opportunity to earn a traditional law degree online. While this is technically possible, it may not be practical for most students. There are several issues with trying to get your law degree online the most important being that none of the online law schools are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). In order to get a license to practice law, 49 of the 50 states require an ABA accredited degree. The only State with more relaxed laws is California. It makes sense then that we focus on how to earn an online law degree in California (the only State where you would be able to practice law with your online degree).

We can’t state enough that you will either need to be residing in California or able and willing to practice law in California before you should proceed with getting an online law degree (at least initially). After you practice law for a few years in California, it may be possible for you to apply to be accepted to practice law in other States, but this is not guaranteed, it’s just a possibility.

There are several steps required to be able to sit for the bar exam in California, let’s cover those first.

Step 1: You need to complete a degree program from an online law school (taking at least 60 college credits that requires at least 864 total hours of study) recognized by the State of California.  So far the following schools are registered (listed in alphabetical order):

• Abraham Lincoln University School of Law
• American Heritage University School of Law
• California School of Law
• Concord School of Law
• Esquire College
• MD Kirk School of Law
• Newport University
• Northwestern California University
• Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy
• Southern California University for Professional Studies
• University of Honolulu
• West Coast School of Law, Inc.
• West Haven University
• William Howard Taft University

Step 2: You have to register as a law student with the California State Bar Association.  You can do that here.

Step 3: You have to take a student examination after the first year of studying online (the test covers contracts, criminal law, and torts).  The exam is given in June and October every year.  You can register for the exam here.

Step 4: You have to provide the California Bar Association with proof of your moral character by turning over your fingerprints, some references, and filling out some other forms.  This review of your moral character can take four to six months so don’t forget to plan accordingly.  You can find out more here.

Step 5: You have to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility exam.  There are 60 multiple choice questions on this test covering questions regarding representation, privilege, contempt, and other related issues

Step 6: Assuming you cleared all of those hurdles, you need to sit for and pass the Bar Exam.  It is offered in February and July every year and you can apply to sit for the exam here.

After you practice law in the State of California for a few years, you can apply to sit for the Bar Exam in other other States.  In many cases, they will approve that request and you will finally get a chance to practice law in a State other than California.

From our perspective, it is important for you to know going into pursuing an online law degree, that it comes with some challenges.  It won’t be easy but it can be a viable and good alternative for a lot of people.  Especially, if you need a lot of flexibility in completing the classes.

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