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.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. I became a lawyer without going to law school. You can have a JD without attending law school physically. Yes. California is one of four U.S. states that will allow you to sit for a bar exam without a law degree. Complete the required pre-legal education. Learn the step-by-step process of becoming a lawyer in California, including education requirements, bar exam preparation, and licensure. Oregon and Washington states do not longer requires to take the bar exam to become an attorney!! TJSL is a private, non-profit California law school.