How To Become A Judge in 5 Steps (2025)

A judge must be fair, knowledgeable, and just. While a career as a judge will take quite a bit of time and hard work to achieve, it is an incredibly rewarding profession. Let's break this career path down into five steps, so you can see exactly what you need to focus on to succeed.

5 Steps To Become a Judge

The path to judgeship requires years of study, law school, passing the state bar, and meeting any relevant training requirements. At the end of all this, career hopefuls must remember that judges are appointed and there are a limited number vacancies to be filled.

All that being said, a career as a judge is achievable. It starts with a bachelor's degree, and ends with making the right connections, running for office, or applying for a judgeship. Take a look at where to begin the path to becoming a judge.

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The first step to becoming a judge is to complete your bachelor's degree. This can be in a relevant subject, like political science or criminal justice, but other subjects like history or psychology will also provide relevant skills. Whatever you study, remember that a grade point average between a 3.0 and a 3.5 is required to get into many law schools.

2. Take the LSAT and Apply for Law School

When you take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) depends on when you plan to enroll in law school. The test is given four times per year, in February, June, October (sometimes late September) and December. If you plan to enroll in the fall, it's best to take the exam in June or September of the previous year.

Since many law schools weigh your LSAT score as high or higher than your GPA, some students take a year off after graduating to study and prep. The average LSAT score is a 150, but some schools may require a score of at least 165. If you plan to defer enrolling, bear in mind that LSAT scores are good for five years.

3. Obtain Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

Once you are accepted to an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, you can begin work on your Juris Doctorate. A full-time student usually completes this in three years, while a part-time student will take four years. Many schools offered accelerated JD programs as well.

Now is the time to learn all you can about how to practice law, from torts to the finer details of state laws. You may also be able to take classes in more specialized fields, like family law.

4. Take Bar Exam and Gain Work Experience

The next step in the path to judgeship is passing the bar exam and getting to work as a prosecutor. Make sure you take the bar exam in the same state that you plan to practice law and eventually work as a judge. You'll want to get several years of experience practicing law at a law firm, working as a public defender, or getting a clerkship before you are ready to become a judge.

5. Meet Judgeship Training Requirements

Once you've been appointed or elected to judgeship, you will likely still have to take training courses or attend lectures by organizations like the ABA. In order to stay up-to-date on current and changing laws, you may also have to take continuing education courses throughout your career.

Role of a Judge and Career Path Outlook

Judges are leaders in the court system, presiding over the court proceedings and eventually passing judgment. Federal judges are responsible for upholding the Constitution of the United States. Whether you work in an appellate court, district court, or federal court, a judge's job description will vary depending on what types of cases you want to work with.

Judges presiding over criminal cases will pass jail sentences and fines, while those responsible for civil cases will decide on monetary compensation. Judges work closely with lawyers, litigants, juries, and court personnel and must have a thorough understanding of the law.

There are five possible routes to becoming a state judge:

• merit selection
• appointment by governor
• partisan election
• nonpartisan election
• legislative election

To become a federal judge like a Supreme Court justice, you will have to be nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. This role is a lifetime appointment.

Because many judgeships are elected positions-or at the federal level, lifetime appointments-it can be hard to find a vacancy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates this career to grow 3%, with about 1,600 openings per year on average.

Skills Needed To Become a Judge

Whether you work in a court of appeals or a state court, every judge must have strong communication and critical thinking skills, display empathy, and have a firm understanding of the law. High school students interested in one day becoming judges can join their school's debate team to learn how to research a case and argue their position.

Even with a strong focus on justice and law, this job is people-focused above all. Those interested in becoming judges should be willing to not just grow their legal career but leave a good impression with every person they encounter.

FAQs About Pursuing a Career as a Court Judge

There's a lot to navigate as you begin your legal career and work to become a court judge. We've broken down some of the most common questions about this career path to make it as easy as possible for you to jumpstart your education.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Judge in the U.S.?

It can take decades to become a judge in the U.S. Most people take seven years to become a licensed attorney and begin their law career. After gaining several years of experience, you can pursue a nomination to judgeship, but the more experience and connections you have, the better.

Can You Be a Judge Without Going To Law School?

You do not have to complete law school to be a judge, but you do have to pass the bar exam and practice law in the state in which you hope to become a judge. There are 24 states where you can become a judge and preside over some cases without prior legal experience.

What Are the Qualifications for Becoming a Federal Judge?

There are no specific qualifications for becoming a federal judge, but it's best to have a thorough understanding of the law and a proven track record. Since federal judges are appointed by the President, senators or sometimes members of the House of Representatives will recommend potential nominees. If you want to become a federal magistrate, you must meet specific requirements and be vetted by a panel before being appointed.

Explore Accredited Law Degrees Today

Ready to start your journey to judgeship? Take a look at the many exciting options for accredited law degree programs offered by Learn.org and see which one is right for you. It may be a long path to becoming a judge, but with hard work and the right education, you'll be grabbing your gavel in no time.