Paralegal Studies Certification
Most employers do not require that paralegals attain a certification in paralegal studies; however, some paralegals may choose to pursue certification regardless. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals may obtain certification through various organizations including the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc (AAPI) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Certification requirements vary based on the group through which choose to certify yourself.
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General Requirements
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You may attain a paralegal certification through either a national or local organization, although national certifications may better benefit you across the country. Certification requirements for paralegals generally include some form of educational and/or experience component. Many certifications also require that you take and pass a certification exam. Certifications also require fees, which you must pay when you submit your application.
The National Association of Legal Assistants
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NALA issues the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. To receive this credential, you must pass a certification exam that covers communication, ethics, legal research, judgment and analytical ability, and substantive law. Questions may be multiple-choice, true/false or matching, according to NALA. Along with passing the test, you must meet eligibility requirements, which include education experience requirements, depending on the eligibility path you choose. For one path, you must be a graduate of a paralegal studies program, while for another you must have a baccalaureate in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal.
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American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc
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To be eligible for American Alliance's certification program, you must have minimally have a baccalaureate, an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a certificate from a paralegal program. You must have a minimum of five years of paralegal experience. Along with submitting an application, you must send an official transcript from your university or program, documentation of your paralegal experience and a processing fee, according to American Alliance. As of June 2010, no certification test exists for the credential. After receiving approval for the certification, you may use the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential.
National Federation of Paralegal Associations
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NFPA issues the the Registered Paralegal (RP) credential for those who complete its certification program. Eligibility for this credential also requires a combination of experience and education. Generally, the more education you have, the less experience you need. According to NFPA, the test for the RP credential covers the administration and development of client legal matters, legal research, legal writing and office administration.
Certification Renewal
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Most paralegal certifications require that you maintain your credential through a renewal process. NFPA's credential costs $25 and requires you to renew it every two years. NALA's certification costs $70 and requires you to renew it every five years. Both of these certifications require you to attain continuing education credits to remain eligible for renewal, according to NFPA. The American Alliance credential requires renewal every two years and also includes continuing education credits.
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References
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