Written by AI from public information on 2026-10-26. Fees and rules change and vary by province — confirm with the official body before relying on anything here.
Typical cost
about CA$5,000 to CA$10,000
an estimate in Canadian dollars
Time to earn it
about 1 to 2 years
Issued by Provincial and territorial law societies (Federation of Law Societies of Canada)
Required to start: Lawyers cannot practise in a province or territory without being called to its bar by the law society.
About
In Canada, each province and territory has its own law society. The law society decides who may practise law in that jurisdiction. When you meet all its requirements, you are called to the bar. This is the licence that lets you give legal advice, appear in court and use the title of lawyer.
You cannot practise law without this licence. That applies whether you want to work in a law firm, in a company, in government or in a community legal clinic. The work you do afterwards can be very different, from family law and immigration to corporate law, aviation and climate policy. The licence is the same starting point for all of them.
The law societies work together through the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The Federation helps set shared standards, such as the national requirements for law degrees. It also supports the rules that let lawyers move between provinces.
How to get it
Earn a law degree
Complete a law degree from a Canadian law school, or have a foreign degree assessed for equivalency. Most students first finish a university undergraduate degree before applying to law school.
Apply to your law society
Choose the province or territory where you want to be licensed. Register with its law society and submit your transcripts, character information and other required documents.
Complete the licensing process
Most law societies require a period of practical training, often called articling or an approved alternative. During this time you learn the day-to-day work of a lawyer under supervision.
Pass the licensing exams
You must pass the written exams set by your law society. These test your knowledge of the law and of professional ethics.
Be called to the bar
Once you have met every requirement, you attend a ceremony and take an oath. You are then called to the bar and may practise law in that province or territory.
The exam
Most law societies require candidates to pass written licensing exams. These cover areas such as ethics, professional responsibility and the practical side of legal work. Many are open-book and take place over a few sittings. Some provinces use different formats, so check the rules of the law society you plan to join.
Licensed by each province
Each province and territory issues this itself, under its own rules. Each province and territory licenses its own lawyers, so the exact steps, training and exams differ from place to place. National mobility rules make it easier for a lawyer who is licensed in one province to practise in another. You may still need to apply to the second law society and meet some of its conditions. Always check with the law society where you want to work.
Keeping it
Your licence must be renewed every year. You pay an annual fee and confirm that you are in good standing. Law societies also expect you to keep learning through continuing professional development. Lawyers must follow the society's rules of conduct and may face discipline if they do not.