Can anyone write the bar exam in Canada?
Asked by: Colleen White | Last update: February 2, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (44 votes)
No, not anyone can write the Canadian bar exam; you must first meet specific educational requirements, typically a J.D. or LL.B. from a recognized law school, and for internationally trained lawyers, complete an assessment and potential further education through the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA), then register with a provincial law society for their specific licensing process. The path involves graduating from law school, potentially completing NCA requirements, articling/experiential training, and passing provincial bar exams (barrister and solicitor).
Can a foreigner be a lawyer in Canada?
Foreign-trained lawyers must undergo a series of exams, which may include multiple subjects depending on their education and professional background. The NCA evaluates foreign degrees to determine their equivalency to Canadian law degrees.
Can a person take the bar exam without a law degree?
In most states, attending law school is a prerequisite for taking the bar exam. However, there are exceptions. California, Virginia, and Washington offer an alternative route through structured apprenticeship programs.
Can anyone take the CA bar exam?
California is one of the few states that allows aspiring lawyers to take the bar exam without going to law school. They can do this by instead completing a four-year law office study program to become a legal professional. However, this path is not an easy alternative to skipping law school that many may think it is.
Can you take the bar exam in Canada?
Assuming you've graduated from a law school in Canada, you article, take PLTC, and write the bar exam. Articling is 9 months of being essentially an apprentice at a firm or other legal workplace. PLTC is a course put on by the Law Society that's 10 weeks long. Then there are two exams.
Here's What Taking the Bar Exam Is Really Like
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
How difficult is the Canadian bar exam?
In this phase of lawyer training, the bar exam can be one of the biggest challenges. The Canadian bar exam is open-book, but this does not mean it's easy. Candidates are given thousands of pages of study materials, and the challenge lies in navigating them quickly under strict time limits.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Has anyone passed the bar without going to law school?
Yes, people have passed the bar without going to law school, but it's only possible in a few states (like California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) through rigorous law office study/apprenticeship programs. While it's an affordable, hands-on alternative, apprentices face lower pass rates, significant self-discipline requirements, and potential limitations in practicing in other states, with historical figures like Abraham Lincoln famously using this path.
How many times did JFK Jr. take the bar?
Kennedy, Jr. failed the New York bar exam twice before passing it on his third try.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Can I become a lawyer without going to law school in Canada?
Most lawyers in Canada first complete a bachelor's degree before attending law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD). After that, they must complete their province's bar admission process, which involves a combination of licensing exams and a period of articling, before becoming fully licensed to practise law.
Is the bar exam harder than law school?
Generally, the bar exam is considered harder than the LSAT. The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law.
Are Canadian lawyers paid well?
When it comes to earning potential, the legal profession in Canada is as diverse as it is competitive. While the average lawyer in Canada takes home roughly $145,000 per year (or about $74.43 per hour according to Talent.com), certain specialties command significantly higher salaries.
What is the quickest law degree to get?
The fastest ways to get a law degree involve accelerated Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs, like two-year J.D.s (e.g., Southwestern Law's SCALE) or combined 3+3 programs with undergrads, letting you finish in as little as 3-6 years total (including undergrad), while specialized, non-traditional routes in California might technically offer faster paths but are difficult. For a quicker master's in law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs can be completed in about 12 months, but these don't qualify you to be a practicing lawyer.
Can a US lawyer move to Canada?
To practice Canadian law in Canada, US-trained lawyers must apply for a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). The Certificate of Qualification confirms that you have education and training equivalent to graduates from an approved Canadian law school.
Which states let you skip law school for the bar?
States That Allow You to Take the Bar Without Law School
In California, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, you can skip law school and still qualify for the bar exam. Each state has specific rules about supervision, study hours, and reporting requirements before you may sit for the bar.
Are there any law schools that do not require the LSAT in Canada?
Almost all faculties of law outside Quebec (with the exception of the Civil Law program at the University of Ottawa and the French Common Law programs at the University of Moncton and the University of Ottawa) require the LSAT.
Can I call myself a lawyer after passing the bar?
Yes. In most states, calling yourself a “lawyer” requires graduation from an accredited law school, passing a state bar exam, and meeting ethical standards; using the title without meeting these criteria can constitute the unauthorized practice of law.
How many times can you fail the bar exam?
You can usually fail the bar exam an unlimited number of times, as most states have no cap, but some have limits (e.g., 3-6 attempts) that can sometimes be extended with special permission, while a few have strict "hard limits," so checking your specific jurisdiction's rules is crucial.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
Is the baby bar harder than the bar?
The Baby Bar (FYLSE) often has a lower pass rate (around 20-25%) than the main California Bar Exam (around 40-50%), leading many to say it feels harder, though the difficulty is debated and often attributed to the different test-taker pool (non-ABA students vs. all law grads) and lack of full law school training, making it a significant hurdle for those on an alternative path like Kim Kardashian. While the main bar tests many subjects over two days, the baby bar is shorter (one day, three subjects) but incredibly challenging due to its low success rate and specific focus on first-year law topics for non-traditional students.
Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?
The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao (college entrance), India's IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering), and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam (government jobs), due to their extreme competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences, though other candidates like the All Souls Prize or Master Sommelier Diploma are also noted for extreme difficulty. These exams demand immense knowledge, analytical skills, and endurance, with failure often meaning significant setbacks, making them notoriously difficult.
What do the top 1% of lawyers make?
The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M.
Is CPA harder than the bar?
While both are notoriously difficult, many people who've taken both find the CPA exam harder due to its marathon nature (four parts over 18 months) and broad technical scope, compared to the Bar's sprint (one multi-day test) focusing on legal application, though difficulty is subjective and depends on individual strengths in accounting vs. law. The CPA often has lower overall pass rates and requires passing four distinct sections, whereas the Bar tests a single, comprehensive body of legal knowledge, making the CPA feel more like a prolonged, demanding endurance test.