What law(s) makes being a law school graduate a prerequisite for taking the state bar exam?

Like someone has already said, there are NO LAWS mandating someone have a JD to sit for the bar. The field of law is regulated by each state's supreme court - the legislature has nothing to do with it. I'm licensed in two states. In both states, the process of becoming licensed was overseen by a board, the members of which were appointed by that state's supreme court. The field is regulated, not legislated. It's the judiciary that decides the requirements for being licensed.

Some state judiciaries decided that reading into the law is sufficient to sit for the bar. But like someone else said, it is a sucky way to learn the law, and people who do it have a high likelihood of not passing the bar. In the 19th century, dentists were trained by watching other dentists, and then practicing on their patients. I think it's a good thing that my dentist was required to get a degree in dentistry before he was allowed to drill my teeth.

the laws vary by state. I believe that California's laws are the most liberal, as they allow those with online law degrees to sit for the bar, while most states require that people have a degree from a 'brick and mortar school'.

one reason for the restriction is that law schools teach you more than just the laws, but also legal writing skills, arguing skills, and how to apply the law. if you just read the law books, you won't have the skills to be a lawyer.

word of advice in case you are thinking of getting a law degree, don't go to an online school, the degree will be practically worthless since it's not accredited by the ABA.

Laws passed by state legislatures which are composed of lawyers. To decrease the number of people taking the bar exam and lessen the competition in the practice of law, the legislature requires a law school degree to sit for the exam.

A few states still allow a "reading for the bar," but this is limited to people like current and former members of the legislature.

There is not a "law" that says it. But the State Bar associations have made the requirement. If you want to take their test to be licensed you must have a JD. The reasoning is probably that people without JD's fail the bar exam at a far higher rate than those with the degrees. Maybe they felt like they were ripping people off.

It's not a law everywhere. Some US states still allow one to take the bar exam without attending school, although it almost NEVER happens.

Where it was instituted, it was at the behest of the law (bar) associations, who sought to limit the number of applicants, as well as ensure a greater likelihood that they would pass the exams. It's a way to limit entry into the field.

CA does this, shadow under lawyer, OR just do it online (yep, online)

you can be a Dr of Pharmacy or Psychology that way too.............fun