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The Law Office Study Program (LOSP) is the official name of California Bar Association's legal apprenticeship program. More information is available here.  

For the specific requirements, Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards (refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29)

100% of your donation will go towards programming that offers personalized learning support, mentorship, and coaching, to help marginalized women of color build a more diverse and justice-centered legal profession.

You can learn more about the women in our program by reading their first-hand narratives of entering the legal profession.

Legal apprenticeship offers a debt-free pathway to the law for low-income women of color who have been historically excluded from the profession. Women of color make up over half of all people living in poverty. For those seeking a legal career, law school–and the tens of thousands of dollars of debt that comes with it–just isn’t a viable option. For those who must balance work and higher education with caregiving duties, as Black women in particular are more likely to do, law school–and the strenuous, full-time requirements that come with it–just isn’t a viable option.

No, law apprenticeship programs are available in 4 states in the United States. Although each program differs depending on the state and the corresponding Bar Associations that design and oversee the program.

These states offer legal apprenticeship as a complete alternative to law school: Washington state, Vermont, and Virginia. If you are interested in learning more about legal apprenticeship outside of California, please see this guide from our community partner, The Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC).

If you are interested in Esq. Apprentice's support fellowship, it is currently only available in the greater Bay Area (based out of Oakland, CA).

Some basic information about states’ rules for bar admission for apprentices. Please see each state’s bar admissions rules for additional details and information on how to register as an apprentice.

• California: California’s complete bar admission rules are at this link. Requires 4 years of study in a law office, at least 18 hours per week, 5 hours of direct supervision, monthly exams, bi-annual progress reports to the CA State Bar. Supervising attorney must have 5 years of active law practice in the state.
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• Vermont: Vermont’s Law Office Study Program rules are at this link. The program requires 4 years of supervision by a judge or attorney. Supervising attorney must have 3 years of experience.
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• Virginia: Virginia’s complete Law Reader Program rules are at this link. Requires 3 years of law office study, 40 weeks per year, 25 hours per week, with 3 hours per week of direct supervision by attorney. Supervising attorney must have at least 10 years of experience. Note that the apprentice may not be employed by or compensated by the supervising attorney.
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• Washington: Washington’s complete bar admission rules are at this link. Requires 4 years of employment in a law office, an average of 32 hours of work/study per week, 3 hours per week of direct attorney supervision. Supervising attorney must have 10 years of experience. Apprentices must pay an annual fee of $1,500. Note that the apprentice must be employed by the attorney.

For up-to-date information regarding CA Bar's Law Office Study Program requirements and regulations, visit https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admi....

For more information, the requirements for admission and parameters for completing CA Bar's LOSP to practice law in California are contained in the Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 4 - Admissions and Educational Standards. For the specific requirements, refer to Title 4, Division 1, Chapter 3, Rule 4.29.

Once educational requirements are met, California LOSP apprentices are responsible for finding a supervising attorney, pay the $158 registration fee and submit with their supervising attorney, a Notice of Intent to study Law in a Law Office or Judge’s Chamber to the CA Bar’s office of admission by the start date of their apprenticeship.

Apprentices must follow the curriculum submitted by the supervising attorney in the Notice of Intent under the supervising attorney’s supervision for at least 18 hours a week, for 4 years over a 48 consecutive weeks per year.

The supervising attorney must give written examinations at least once a month and submit a semiannual (every 6 months from admission) report to the bar noting topics covered and materials used, along with $105 submission fee, and the questions and answers of the monthly test.

• All reports must include the Law Office Study Report cover sheet and must be submitted by certified mail with return receipt requested or delivered in person to either Los Angeles or San Francisco Office of Admissions.

After the first year participants must pass the “Baby Bar” or the California First Year Law students (CAFYLS) examination, usually administered in JUNE and OCTOBER.

• Those who pass within the first 3 administered test cycles get credit for all study up to that point.
• If takes more than 3 tries to pass the CAFYLS, they earn credit for only 1 year of study.

After 3 more years of consistent reporting and good standing with the CA Bar's LOSP, the apprentice then qualifies to sit for the California Bar examination, which is given in July and February. During this final year the apprentice will also need to submit other qualifying documentation that once they pass the Bar Exam they become eligible to become a licenced attorney in California!