Many aspiring lawyers wonder if they can take the California Bar Exam without actually going to law school. The short answer is yes, they can.Yes. California is one of four U.S. states that will allow you to sit for a bar exam without a law degree. You can have a JD without attending law school physically. Applicants don't have to be United States citizens to practice law in California. In California, students can take the bar exam if they meet state requirements. Before you can apply to take the California Bar Exam, you must first register as a law student with the State Bar's Office of Admissions. Bar reciprocity in the United States is a concept that allows attorneys to practice law in a state other than the one in which they're licensed. The investigation does not have to be complete in order for an applicant to take the examination. Florida has not adopted the UBE.