A student in the LOS Program must complete four years of study in a law office under the supervision of a licensed California attorney. I became a lawyer without going to law school.California is one of four states which permit aspiring lawyers to take the bar exam without attending law school and obtain their license to practice law. Yes. California is one of four U.S. states that will allow you to sit for a bar exam without a law degree. In 2017, Yassi passed the California bar exam without going to law school and wants to let others know that they can do it too. Can You Take the California Bar Exam Without Going to Law School? According to The Washington Post, California does not require a law degree as a prerequisite for taking the bar exam. In Virginia, Vermont, Washington and California, aspiring lawyers can study for the bar without ever setting foot into or paying a law school. It is possible, therefore, to be admitted to the California bar without graduating from a law school, id. In California, this test is required to practice, but can be taken anytime after the first year of law school.