The first step to become a lawyer is obtaining a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years. The major is not important, but law schools look for a high grade-point average.
Achieving an excellent score on the Law School Admissions Test is the next step. Because of the importance of this test, many people take an LSAT prep course to prepare for the exam.
Law school requires a minimum of three years to graduate if attending full time. Some part-time programs are offered as well, often as a four-year option.
Many law school graduates take a bar review course to increase their chances of passing the bar exam for the state in which they wish to practice.
Not everyone passes the bar exam the first time, and there is a six-month wait to take it again. During this time, the law school graduate will need to study extensively to be sure of passing the next time around.