How to Get a Paralegal Certificate From an ABA Program

The American Bar Association (ABA) does not provide training courses directly to paralegal students. Instead, the ABA serves as an accrediting institution for approximately 260 paralegal programs. In addition, the ABA does not grant paralegal certifications. While California is the only state that requires paralegal certification to work in the field, the ABA does recommend paralegal certification to its membership.

Things You'll Need

• Directory of accredited schools
• Training from an accredited ABA program
• National exam

Instructions

1. Access the ABA directory of accredited training programs. You can search for programs by state or alphabetically. The schools are not rated by the ABA. Included in the list of accredited institutions are programs such as the Southeastern Career Institute, a division of Kaplan, that offer much of the coursework online.

2. Register for an online or campus-based certificate program, which consists of 24 hours of study in areas such as introduction to the law, torts, research, criminal and employment law, and legal document presentation. ABA-accredited schools include community colleges, universities, proprietary training centers and trade schools. None of the accredited programs are strictly online schools, though most programs offer Internet-based courses.

3. Take the paralegal certification examination from the National Association of Legal Assistants to receive the Certified Legal Assistant designation. The other national exam that is recognized by the ABA is the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam sponsored by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

4. Look for a paralegal program that partners with a local law firm or government body. Find job openings or internships through the ABA website and local chapter meetings

5. Stay updated about news and directives that change and shape the legal industry through the many newsletters and publications put out by the ABA. Learn how legal firms are employing paralegals to make their practice more successful, how paralegal training is evolving and how paralegals can build a freelance business.

6. Participate in seminars and conferences for paralegals through the ABA and other trade groups such as the American Association for Paralegal Education. Attend ABA functions to gain continuing education credits for seminars that are provided at annual meetings and conventions.

Tips & Warnings

• Join the ABA to get access to a variety of networking opportunities and seminars to advance your career.

• Do not represent yourself as an ABA certificate graduate. On your resume, you may include the fact that the program from which you graduated is ABA approved.

Resources

• Directory of ABA-accredited training programs for paralegals