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Some online and hybrid JD programs admit without the LSAT, but the categories differ sharply. ABA-accredited hybrid JD programs let you practice in most states, yet many still require the LSAT or GRE. Non-ABA online law schools may skip the LSAT but often limit you to one state's bar. see the linked source (see the linked source).
By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Figures on this page were verified in August 2026 or point readers to the current source.
Sometimes, but accreditation shapes everything. A small number of ABA-accredited law schools now run hybrid JD programs that mix online study with limited in-person sessions, and some accept the GRE in place of the LSAT. Separately, several non-ABA online law schools admit without any admissions test, but a degree from them usually qualifies you for only one state's bar. The phrase online law school with no LSAT covers both, so read the fine print. see the linked source (see the linked source).
The table separates the two families of online JD options by accreditation, test requirement, and where the degree lets you sit the bar, the factor that most affects your career.
The current ranking is best read directly from the source. See the U.S. News Best Law Schools list for the up-to-date order, and each school's ABA Standard 509 report for its median LSAT, GPA, and acceptance rate.
A JD from an ABA-accredited program qualifies you to sit the bar in essentially every state, while a degree from a non-ABA online school typically limits you to the state that accredits it. Skipping the LSAT saves one exam, but choosing a program that restricts where you can practice can shape your whole career. Weigh accreditation and bar eligibility ahead of the convenience of avoiding a test. see the linked source (see the linked source).
Start by deciding where you want to practice, then confirm which programs let you sit that state's bar. Among ABA-accredited hybrid options, look for those accepting the GRE if you want to skip the LSAT while keeping national mobility. Verify a program's accreditation directly with the ABA or the state bar rather than trusting marketing language. see the linked source (see the linked source).
A broad group of ABA-accredited law schools accepts the GRE, and some of them also run hybrid or partly online JD programs, which is the best way to combine flexibility with national bar eligibility. Check ETS's roster and each school's program page to confirm both GRE acceptance and the online format. about 196 ABA-approved law schools.
Yes. Online and hybrid routes without the LSAT exist, but they split between ABA hybrid programs, many of which still want the GRE, and non-ABA online schools that skip the test while limiting bar eligibility. Confirm accreditation before you treat any no-LSAT online program as equivalent. a test under ABA Standard 503, though a November 2024 variance now lets schools admit applicants without one.
Neither is easier for everyone, but for online JD applicants the GRE has a practical edge: it keeps you eligible for ABA-accredited hybrid programs that preserve national mobility. The GRE tests math and vocabulary while the LSAT tests logic and reading, so compare your percentiles on each. two scored Logical Reasoning sections, one scored Reading Comprehension section, and one unscored variable section.
Verified August 2026.
August 21, 2026
August 21, 2026