1. My certification expires in 60 days. I have 30 hours of credit and I live in an area where continuing education is not offered with any frequency, nor is there a legal assistant program or law school anywhere close to me. HELP!
Don't despair! Attending seminars is not the only way to earn CLE credit. Many options are available to you. NALA offers a variety of courses online at NALACampus.com. Each course provides 10 hours of CLE credit upon completion. CLE credit is also available through of NALA Campus LIVE! programs. One to two hours of CLE credit is generally available per course. Further information on the NALACampus and NALACampus Live! programs is available from NALA’s web site at: www.nalacampus.com.
In addition, credit may be recorded for watching or listening to video or audio tape presentations on relevant subjects. Writing an article on a substantive area in a legal publication or in your state bar publication may qualify. If you have access to the Internet, there are a number of sources for online continuing legal education programs. You may also receive credit for attending classes at a college or university or by taking classes offered by experts in a field, e.g., taxes. Remember, too, that successful completion of an Advanced Paralegal Certification course is an automatic 20 hours of credit.
Finally, there is an automatic provision for a one-year extension of your certification before your certification lapses. Hopefully, during the next year you can earn the remaining 20 hours of credit. Remember that going into the additional one-year extension period will not extend your next five-year certification period. If six years are required to obtain the required hours (five years + one additional year extension), the next certification period will only be four years (+ one additional year extension if you need it.)
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2. There is a legal assistant association in my area that conducts monthly luncheon meetings with speakers. Will my attending these functions qualify for CLE credit?
Yes, provided that the meetings feature at least one hour of continuing education. The Certifying Board will not accept requests for continuing legal education credit for educational programs of less than 50 minutes.
Also remember that in order for the Certifying Board to consider credit, a program must meet the following guidelines:
Subjects must be relevant to the work of legal assistants/paralegals. Sessions covering such topics as federal or state rules, ethics, substantive areas of the law (e.g., torts, estate planning, family law, etc.) and procedures may qualify.
Topics such as law office management, computer training, and other law-related topics would be considered under the non-substantive category, which is limited to 10 hours per five-year certification period.
Seminar programs which require analysis and interpretation of the law must feature an attorney as the presenter or one of the team of presenters.
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3. Are CLE credits awarded to those who serve on the Certifying Board?
No. Although service on the board requires substantial research in the various areas of the law covered by the CLA/CP examination, service on the Certifying Board is by appointment of the NALA President and CLE credit is not allowed since the opportunity is not available to all CLA/CPs.
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4. My firm has ordered video and audio tapes of various legal education programs. Can I get credit for watching or listening to these tapes?
Yes. Audio or video taped programs may be considered for CLE credit provided they meet the Certifying Board's guidelines.
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5. I have read several articles dealing with recent Supreme Court cases. Does this qualify for credit?
Sorry, but no. Credit is not available for self-study.
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6. I have been asked to present a session at a seminar on trial notebook preparation. Will this qualify for credit?
Yes, this may be considered for CLE credit. In addition to your attendance, credit may also be availalble for preparation time for your session.
The Certifying Board will allow up to three (3) hours preparation time for each hour of presentation. The Certifying Baord will need to see a copy of your outline for the session in addition to a certificate of attendance in order to consider credit.
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7. I audited a college course on real property law. Would this qualify for credit?
Yes. Auditing a relevant course consisting of a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours at an accredited institution would qualify for a maximum of 10 hours of CLE credit.
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8. I teach a litigation course at our local college as part of the paralegal program. Would this qualify?
Yes, under the special experience category (Category D), but the Certifying Board can only consider credit one-time during each five-year certification period if you teach the same course for several semesters or quarters.
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9. I am not always able to attend NALA sponsored events to acquire the educational credits needed to maintain my certification. Will seminars through the bar association or my local legal assistant association qualify?
Generally, yes, provided these events are a minimum of one hour in length, covering relevant legal topics. Non-NALA sponsored events may be considered for CLAE credit. Please be sure to include a copy of the brochure or program outline listing topics, speakers, and session hours when submitting your request.
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10. I have successfully completed the Certified Florida Paralegal (CFP) examination, administered by the Paralegal Association of Florida Inc. Am I entitled to any CLE credit for this designation through NALA?
Yes! Individuals successfully completing the CFP examination are entitled to 20 hours of CLE credit, upon receipt of evidence of the designation. This credit is also available to those individuals who successfully complete a specialty certification through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, the Louisiana Certified Paralegal (LCP) examination, and any of the California Advanced Specialist (CAS) examinations.
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11. My law firm conducts a series of in-house continuing education programs. Will my attendance at these sessions qualify for credit?
Yes, as long as the minimum of one hour of education was involved, the program deals with relevant topics, and the program meets the other requirements of the Certifying Board.
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12. I recently completed extensive research on a criminal law case for an attorney in our firm. Since I work primarily in contract law, will the time I spent in research qualify for CLAE credit?
No. CLAE credit is not available for work paralegals are expected to do or for work experience.
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13. I volunteer at a pro bono clinic, working in and learning about different areas of the law. Will any of this time qualify for credit?
Again, while your efforts are appreciated, this would not qualify for CLAE credit. The Certifying Board can consider requests for credit for any substantive training sessions involved in volunteer activities such as CASA and Guardian Ad Litem programs. Again, credit cannot be considered for work experience, whether paid or unpaid.
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