Why is Kim Kardashian trying to pass the bar exam?

Asked by: Khalil Hessel II  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (58 votes)

Kim Kardashian is pursuing the bar exam to become a lawyer, motivated by her late father Robert Kardashian's legal career and a desire to champion criminal justice reform, especially for those wrongly convicted, after successfully helping free Alice Marie Johnson; she aims to use her platform for advocacy and eventually open a firm for formerly incarcerated people, viewing her bar exam struggles as fuel for continued effort, not failure.

Why did Kim Kardashian take the bar exam?

“I just felt like I wanted to be able to fight for people who have paid their dues to society,” Kardashian told The Guardian. Kardashian began an apprenticeship with a San Francisco law firm in 2019, People magazine previously reported.

How can Kim be a lawyer without going to law school?

Kim Kardashian is becoming a lawyer through California's Law Office Study Program — a legal loophole that lets you skip traditional law school by studying under a practicing attorney for 4 years 👩‍⚖️📚. To qualify, you have to pass the Baby Bar first 🧠✍️, and then the California Bar Exam — but it's 100% legit ✅.

How many times has Kim Kardashian failed the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian failed the California "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) three times before passing it in December 2021, and has failed the main California Bar Exam once as of November 2025, vowing to retake it again in 2026. Her failures, particularly with the baby bar, were public, but she persevered to pass that first hurdle on her fourth attempt. 

Why does Kim Kardashian want to be a lawyer?

She was inspired by her late father, Robert Kardashian Sr., to pursue the degree. By using her platform and education, she wants to help people in need. Appearing in an interview recently for the promotion of her upcoming series called All's Fair, Kardashian noted that she wants to switch her career paths soon.

Watch Kim Kardashian Learn She Failed the Bar Exam

27 related questions found

Did Kim actually get a law degree?

No, Kim Kardashian did not graduate from a traditional law school; she completed a legal apprenticeship through California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP), a non-traditional route for aspiring lawyers, and while she completed the program requirements in May 2025, she still needs to pass the actual California Bar Exam to become a licensed attorney.
 

Is Kim Kardashian a legitimate lawyer?

No, Kim Kardashian is not a licensed lawyer yet; she completed a rigorous legal apprenticeship in California and passed the baby bar exam, but still needs to pass the main California Bar Exam to become a certified attorney and practice law, a goal she is actively pursuing for criminal justice reform. 

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.
 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady. 

Does passing the baby bar make you a lawyer?

No, passing the California "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination or FYLSE) does not make you a lawyer; it's a hurdle for non-traditional law students to continue their studies, allowing them to sit for the actual California Bar Exam, which, along with character and fitness, is required to become a licensed attorney. You must pass the full California Bar Exam, which tests more subjects, and meet other requirements before you can practice law and call yourself a lawyer. 

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

To earn $500,000 a year as a lawyer, you need a strategic combination of specializing in high-paying fields (like corporate, IP, or plaintiff-side personal injury/class action), mastering business development through robust lead generation (SEO, PPC, referrals), and potentially moving into leadership roles like Big Law equity partner or becoming a renowned expert/mediator in a niche, leveraging strong marketing and scalable firm operations rather than just billable hours. 

Has anyone ever 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. 

Do any of the Kardashians have a degree?

Yes, several Kardashians went to college: Kourtney graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Theater Arts and Spanish, Rob graduated from USC with a business degree, and while Kim didn't finish a traditional bachelor's degree, she recently completed a legal apprenticeship and passed the baby bar. Khloé did not attend college, and Kylie and Kendall focused on their careers after high school. 

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

What does passing the baby bar mean?

Passing the Baby Bar is required for certain law students in California to continue their legal studies and receive credit for their first year. Those who fail must retake it to advance. The exam is mandatory for: Students at unaccredited law schools registered with the California State Bar.

Why can you only take the baby bar three times?

If you do not pass in the first three administrations, then you will only receive credit for the first year of your law school study. Passing the baby bar is something that all law students need to take seriously.

Did Joe Biden pass a bar exam?

Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com. 

How many times did JFK Jr. fail his bar exam?

John F. Kennedy Jr. failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third attempt in July 1990, after first failing in November 1989 and February 1990. He had to pass on his third try to keep his job as a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office. 

What was Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

Is Kendall a billionaire or a millionaire?

Kendall Jenner is a millionaire, with her net worth estimated around $60 million as of late 2025/early 2026, making her the world's highest-paid model but not a billionaire like her sisters Kim and Kylie. Her wealth comes from lucrative modeling contracts, reality TV, and her 818 Tequila brand, while Kim and Kylie have reached billionaire status through their businesses.
 

Who is richer, Beyoncé or Kylie Jenner?

Beyoncé, worth $780 million, grew 4% from her Renaissance tour. Other notables include Selena Gomez ($700 million) and Kylie Jenner ($670 million), whose cosmetic businesses made them successful entrepreneurs.

What degree does Kim K have?

Kim Kardashian—who graduated from her law program in May after six years—shared the results of her California Bar Exam, the final step in her process to becoming a licensed lawyer.

What happened to Kim Kardashian's law degree?

Rather than attending law school — Kardashian didn't graduate from college — she planned to do a four-year apprenticeship with a law firm in San Francisco and then take the bar in 2022. That's allowed under California law, but the COVID pandemic stretched out the timeline.

How is Kim Kardashian able to take the bar?

Kim never went to college or law school. Trying to shortcut everything with her apprenticeship certificate, which is only allowed in 4 states. But...she still has to pass the state bar exam. Good luck with that!