Admission to the California bar is required to practice law in California. All applicants for admission to the Bar must pass the Bar examination and a character examination. A graduate of a foreign law school may become eligible to take the Bar examination upon petition to the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of California, P.O. Box 7908, San Francisco, CA 94120 USA.

In response to the petition, the Committee of Bar Examiners will indicate what additional education, if any, is necessary to qualify for the California Bar. Each applicant interested in admission to the Bar is responsible for contacting the Committee of Bar Examiners and making the appropriate arrangements.

State Bar of California

Admission to Practice Law in New York

Some students holding law degrees from foreign universities may qualify to sit for the New York State Bar Exam after a period of additional study at an American law school.

For more information on eligibility to take the New York State Bar Examination, please contact:
New York State Board of Law Examiners
7 Executive Center Drive
Albany, NY  12203-5195
Phone:  518-452-8700
Website:  www.nybarexam.org

Please note that determinations for eligibility to sit for the New York State Bar Examination are made by the Board of Law Examiners.  You should familiarize yourself with Board policies and appeal procedures. In addition, the Board generally takes several months to evaluate an application and to issue its determination.  Please plan accordingly.