The ABA and the JD
U.S. law schools are accredited by the American Bar Association — specifically its Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, which the U.S. Department of Education recognizes as the accreditor for professional (JD) law programs. Around 200 law schools hold ABA accreditation.
Why ABA accreditation is close to mandatory
- Bar eligibilityThe dominant requirement — an ABA-accredited JD qualifies you to sit for the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction.
- PortabilityAn ABA JD lets you seek admission across states; non-ABA degrees are usually limited to the state that approved them.
- Employers & clerkshipsMost large firms, government roles, and judicial clerkships expect an ABA-accredited JD.
California and limited-exception states
A few states allow paths outside ABA accreditation. California is the notable one: it recognizes California-accredited and even registered (unaccredited) law schools, and offers a Law Office Study Program (a modern apprenticeship) as a route to the California bar. A handful of other states have narrow provisions. These paths are generally state-bound — they qualify you for that state’s bar, not others.
The ABA standards in flux
Law-school accreditation is part of the 2025-26 federal scrutiny of accreditors. The ABA paused enforcement of its diversity-and-inclusion standard in 2025 amid new federal guidance, and Executive Order 14279 named accreditor DEI requirements specifically. The ABA remains the recognized law-school accreditor; watch its standards for further change. See the recognition page for the wider context.
Verify a law school
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
- Who accredits law schools? The American Bar Association, through its Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for professional JD programs.
- Do I need an ABA-accredited law school to take the bar? In most states, yes. An ABA-accredited JD qualifies you to sit for the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction. California and a few states allow limited non-ABA paths, usually bound to that state.
- What is the California exception? California recognizes California-accredited and registered (unaccredited) law schools and offers a Law Office Study Program (apprenticeship) as a route to the California bar — but generally only for California.
- Is ABA accreditation recognized by CHEA? The ABA law-school accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its focus is federal recognition and bar eligibility rather than CHEA quality recognition.
- Can I practice in other states with a non-ABA degree? Usually not without extra steps. Non-ABA degrees are typically limited to the state that approved the school; an ABA JD is what provides multi-state mobility.
- Are the ABA's standards changing? Yes. In 2025 the ABA paused enforcement of its diversity standard amid federal guidance, and accreditor DEI requirements were named in Executive Order 14279. The ABA remains the recognized law accreditor.
- How many ABA-accredited law schools are there? Around 200 in the United States.
- How do I verify a law school's accreditation? Check the ABA's list of approved law schools and confirm bar-eligibility rules with the bar admissions office in your intended state.