1. is there a procedure other than exams to be an attorney?

In the United States, I know of no jurisdiction that allows applications to the Bar without a degree in Law from an American Bar Association accredited school.

When the application is accepted, that means the individual may take the exam, which must be passed.

Following an individual passing the test is a review of the individual's character and fitness to practice law. Passage does not guarantee a license, but since the majority of people taking it are too young to have gotten into any serious trouble, most of the people passing are immediately sworn in.

While it might be a good idea to have an apprenticeship system to become a lawyer, that is not the system now. It's Law School and an exam.

Actually, a long time ago there was something of an apprentice program (post undergrad) that resembled what you are talking about, but given the advances in our litigious society that type of preparation is no longer sufficient. If you have a foreign education and practiced law abroad, and now you want ot practice in the US your best bet is applying for an LLM at any major law school to get a firm background on the local laws and pass the bar.

You're right not to believe that person.

It requires a law degree, as well as passing the bar exam, both of which require an undergraduate college education.

Don't belive him.