Kim Kardashian is keeping her legal ambitions front and center — and she’s setting the record straight about where she stands with the California State Bar Exam. The reality star and All’s Fair actress, who has become a prominent voice in criminal justice reform, confirmed she is still on the journey to becoming a lawyer after falling short on her most recent attempt.
In November 2025, Kardashian addressed fan assumptions that she had already cleared the bar. “Well…I’m not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV,” she wrote on Instagram Stories, adding that she’s six years into her law journey and not slowing down: “No shortcuts, no giving up – just more studying and even more determination.”
She framed the setback as motivation. “Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far,” she continued. “[Falling] short isn’t failure – it’s fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivated me even more. Let’s go!”
Kim Kardashian Confirms She Isn’t A Lawyer Yet
Kardashian’s candid update followed growing confusion online about her legal status. While she has been highly visible in advocacy work and has documented her studies across social media and television, she has not yet passed the California State Bar Exam — the final step to becoming a licensed attorney in the state.
The clarification aligns with her methodical and public approach to legal education. Kardashian began studying law in 2018 through California’s law office study program, an apprenticeship track that allows aspiring lawyers to train under practicing attorneys instead of attending a traditional, accredited law school. She completed her law program in May 2025.
Her interest in the law is deeply personal. She has credited her late father, Robert Kardashian Sr., a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team, as an early influence, and has since used her platform to advocate for clemency and criminal justice reform in high-profile cases.
Baby Bar vs. California Bar: What She’s Taken
A major source of confusion stems from the difference between the “baby bar” and the official bar exam. Kardashian has passed the baby bar — formally called the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSE) — which is required for first-year law students studying at unaccredited California programs, including apprenticeships like hers.
The FYLSE is a one-day exam featuring multiple-choice questions and four essays. Kardashian publicly documented her attempts and, in 2021, announced she passed on her fourth try, writing, “OMFGGGG I PASSED THE BABY BAR EXAM!!!!” She emphasized at the time that the milestone was hard-earned and not “handed” to her.
The California State Bar Exam is a different — and significantly more rigorous — hurdle. Administered over two days every February and July, the exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions, five essays, and a 90-minute performance test. In California, passing requires a minimum scaled score of 1390.
When She Took The Official California Bar Exam
Kardashian sat for the official California bar in July 2025. She did not pass on that attempt, but her update notes she came close. California does not cap the number of times a candidate can sit for the exam, and Kardashian plans to take another shot in February 2026.
Her outlook remains focused and pragmatic. By openly sharing the result and thanking supporters, she underscored a message that has defined her legal journey: resilience. For an exam with notoriously tough pass rates, closing the gap is a meaningful sign of progress.
Kardashian’s strategy has mirrored that of many repeat test-takers — recalibrating study schedules, drilling performance tests, and refining essay organization — but she’s doing it while balancing an active media career and ongoing advocacy projects.
Why Kim’s Path Looks Different
Unlike most aspiring attorneys, Kardashian did not attend a traditional law school. California is one of the few states that allows candidates to become lawyers through apprenticeship. That path adds unique checkpoints, including the FYLSE, but ultimately culminates in the same bar exam required of law school graduates.
In addition to bypassing law school, Kardashian also does not hold a bachelor’s degree. She briefly attended Pierce College in Los Angeles before pursuing the apprenticeship route. While unconventional, her path is fully compliant with California’s rules for legal training and licensure.
Her case has also brought renewed attention to the accessibility — and difficulty — of alternative legal education tracks. The apprenticeship model can be cost-effective and hands-on, but it requires sustained discipline and mentorship. Kardashian has consistently credited her mentors and legal team for helping her navigate the program.
For observers tracking her progress, the timeline is straightforward: she passed the baby bar in 2021, completed her law program in May 2025, took the official bar in July 2025, and plans to retake it in February 2026. Until she clears the 1390 cut score, she won’t be admitted to practice — and she’s been unequivocal about that fact.
As she doubles down on preparation, Kardashian’s message is aimed at demystifying the process and normalizing setbacks. In a profession where persistence is often the differentiator, she’s leaning into the grind — and letting the results speak when they arrive.
