In California, a foreign lawyer must complete an additional 20 credits of study in an LL.M. Program, including instruction in bar-tested subjects. If you received your legal education outside of the United States, you must also successfully complete thirty credit hours at an ABA- approved law school.Most states do require a J.D. degree for a US law school in order to sit for the bar exam. In California, a foreign lawyer must complete an additional 20 credits of study in an LLM Program, including instruction in bar tested subjects. You still have some other requirements to fulfill, but your foreign license is a shortcut in the application process. Currently, 34 states and one jurisdiction that allow foreign attorneys to sit for the bar exam if they have earned LL.M. degrees in the United States. Bar Exam Eligibility, Deadlines, and Fees. ABA-Approved Law School J.D. Required. Yes. Note 7: This application is described as being "late? M. candidates with a first law degree from a foreign university or from a non-ABA-approved law school must complete 12 courses (30 credits) of work. LL.M.