Requirements For Paralegal Certification

Paralegals are an important part of the legal world.  Paralegals, or legal assistants, play a key role in assisting lawyers on a daily basis.  Many are employed at law firms, while other find work with government agencies.  The demand for certified paralegals is  high and people choosing to work in this field will find this a very rewarding career.  In order to be successful, a person must first obtain paralegal certification.

Paralegal Certification

People wishing to obtain paralegal certification must first go through training and complete educational and work requirements. They must be enrolled in an approved program and obtain a passing grade on the examination.  The training and program has to a recognized association or agency.

While obtaining paralegal certification is not mandatory upon completing this course of study, it has many benefits.  It will be easier to apply for a job with it.

Type of Certificate

There are 4 main organizations that handle paralegal certification – NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations, NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants, NALS (National Association for Legal Professionals) and AAPI (American Alliance of Paralegals).  There are differences in each type of certification.

The NFPA has an exam that is referred to as PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination).  Upon successful completion, paralegals are designated as RPs or PACE-Registered.

People taking and passing NALA sponsored exams receive the designation of CLA or Certified Legal Assistant.  They may also be referred to as CP or Certified Paralegal.

NALS offers exam takers 3 types of certification.  They represent different levels of experience and training.  The individual exams are known as ALS, PP and PLS.  The difference in the type of certification is dependent on the amount of studies and experience with the ALS being the most basic.  The PP is for those wanting to acquire a paralegal certification and the PLS exam is individuals who have more training and experience.

The AAPI does not have an exam for applicants to take.  Instead, all that is needed is the ability to provide proof of having taken an approved program and  having a number of years experience in related work.

Eligibility

There is a standard qualification requirement for those looking to obtain paralegal certification.  Some of the basic requirements are:

• Associate’s Degree from an approved institution as a paralegal.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any course of study may be accepted if there is sufficient paralegal related studies.
• In lieu of a degree, eligibility may be met by having completed high school or equivalent with relevant work experience.
• This work experience is as a paralegal or legal assistant working a minimum of 7 years with a licensed attorney.
• You must also have completed at least 20 hours of related courses within two years before taking the exam for certification.

Continuing Education and Training

Once certification is awarded, individuals must undergo regular training or continuing education every 2 to 5 years to keep their certificate in good standing.  This keeps a paralegal up to date and makes sure that they have the necessary skills to perform their job correctly.

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