Questions and Answers about . . .
Requirements for Maintaining Professional Certification

Q 1,  I have successfully completed the CLA examination. Why, now, do I have to worry about maintaining the CLA designation by attending seminars and workshops?

Continuing education is of prime importance to all legal assistants. For this reason, lifetime certification is not available through NALA. The CLA designation is the most important professional designation available to legal assistants. The examination measures the knowledge of an individual at a specified point in time and the CLE requirements insure that the CLA designation remains meaningful.

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Q 2.  I passed four sections of the CLA examination in March and passed the last section in July. Can I submit requests for credit for a seminar I attended in April?

Good point. You can submit requests for credit for any continuing education you received after the date of your last exam in July. For example, if you attended the NALA workshop which immediately followed your retake session in July, you would be able to receive credit for your attendance at the workshop. We would not be able to consider requests for credit prior to the July examination date.

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Q 3. Several seminars are coming up that I will be attending. Should I hold the certificates of attendance and send them in all at once, or send them in as I go?

Either way is fine. It may be easier for you to send them in as you go. Once the certificate has been received and approved for credit, you will receive a recap showing the amount of credit recorded for that event, the amount of credit in your file to date, and the date your certification expires. Your certificate and supporting documentation will also be returned with the credit recap. This gives you a "running total" of your credit file, and saves you from having to hunt for all of the paperwork to get it in before your certification expires.

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Q   4. Are continuing education 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 examination, service on the Certifying Board is by appointment of the NALA President and CLAE credit is not allowed since the opportunity is not available to all CLAs.

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Q   5. There is a local legal assistant association in my area that conducts monthly luncheon meetings and features a speaker. Will my attending these functions qualify for CLAE 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 programs containing less than one hour of education in length.

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.

The faculty should include attorneys, legal assistants, and/or attorney/legal assistant teams.

Seminar programs which require analysis and interpretation of the law must feature an attorney as the presenter or one of the presenters.

Q 6. 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 CLAE credit provided they meet the Certifying Board’s guidelines.

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Q 7. 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.

Q 8. What is considered a "relevant" topic?

This is a tough question. If a course or seminar deals with any of the substantive law areas such as litigation, probate, etc., it would generally be considered relevant. Any topics not directly dealing with substantive law areas would be considered by the Certifying Board on an individual basis, and employer attestation as to relevance may be requested.

The legal assistant education requirements to maintain the CLA credential are designed to ensure CLAs are keeping up with current law and procedures relevant to their work as legal assistants. For the Certifying Board to consider requests for participation in seminars outside the paralegal field, the seminar must include a review of the current law, and then only those portions of the seminar relevant to the law are eligible for credit.

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Q  9. How are credit requests recorded?

Credit for seminars or workshops is recorded on the basis of actual educational hours attended. Fifty hours of credit are required per five year certification period, so basically, an average of 10 hours of education are needed per year to maintain the CLA credential.

For college courses, a grade "C" or better is required in a course that consists of a minimum of two semester hours or three quarter hours at an accredited institution of higher education, with a maximum of 20 hours recorded per course.

Auditing a relevant course or completion of a course not meeting the above minimums is recorded as a maximum of 10 hours per course.

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Q   10.  I am active in our association and have made several presentations to the members about NALA and its activities. Will this qualify for credit?

While your efforts in sharing information about NALA are certainly appreciated, credit cannot be recorded for this type of event. The Certifying Board can only consider requests for credit in connection with attendance at continuing legal education seminars covering topics related to one's work as a legal assistant or under the special experience category for projects outside of employment such as teaching in a legal assistant program or preparation of an article which results in publication, dealing with a substantive law topic.

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Q   11. 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 CLAE credit. In addition to your attendance, credit may also be available for preparation time for your session. The Certifying Board will allow up to three (3) hours preparation time for each hour (1) of presentation. The Certifying Board 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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Q   12.  I took a college course, for credit, on the topic of business English. Would this qualify?

Unfortunately, no. Again, the purpose of CLAE credit is to be informed on the continuous changes in the law. While the business English course may be helpful, it cannot be considered for continuing legal education credit.

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Q 13. I audited a college course on real property law. Would this qualify?

Yes, auditing a relevant course, or completion of 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 credit.

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Q   14. I am currently enrolled in a legal assistant program which requires several general ed courses. Would any of the general ed courses qualify for credit?

No. While general education courses may be required by the school to graduate from the legal assistant program, the Certifying Board cannot consider general ed courses for continuing legal education.

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Q 15.  I teach a litigation course at our local college as part of the legal assistant program. Would this qualify?

Yes, under the special experience category (Category D), but the Board can only consider it one time if you teach the same course for several semesters or quarters.

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Q 16.  My firm wants to send me to a seminar on managing a small law office. Will this qualify for credit?

Yes and no. Credit for attending events in areas other than substantive law are limited to 10 hours (one unit) maximum for any five year period. If you have not yet reached the minimum 10 hours then yes, the seminar will qualify for credit. If you have already received the maximum 10 hours, then no, we would be unable to record credit for the seminar.

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Q 17.  During my first five year period I received over 70 hours of continuing education. Can these carry over to subsequent five year periods?

Sorry, but no. Keeping in mind the reasons for the continuing legal education requirement and the constantly changing laws and procedures, credits cannot carry over from one period to the next.

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Q 18.  My certification expires in May of this year. I have thirty 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!

First, there is an automatic provision which allows for a one-year extension of your certification before your name is removed from the CLA roster. Hopefully, during the next year you can attend workshops or seminars to get 20 more hours of credit. Also, don't forget the category that allows credit for special experience outside of your employment. This includes special research and writing of an article that results in publication in a national legal publication or in your state bar publication. Credit can also be recorded for video or audio tape presentations on relevant topics and, now, completion of on-line courses will also qualify -- for further information see the programs at www.NALACampus.com.  Remember, too, that successful completion of an Advanced Paralegal Certification course is an automatic 20 hours of credit.

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Q  19. My certification expires next May, and I have received notification that fifty hours have been recorded. What happens now?

In April of next year, you will automatically receive a Recertification Audit Verification form. This form simply needs to be signed and returned to NALA Headquarters, along with a $70 recertification fee. Once the form and fee have been received, you will receive a new certificate showing the expiration date for your next five year certification period.

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Q   20.  I want to take an advanced paralegal certification program, but it seems cumbersome for me to keep track of two certifications and two expiration dates. What about the continuing education requirements for those who receive advanced certification?

It seems cumbersome to us, too! The advanced paralegal certification program is a part of the whole certification program and there are no special continuing education requirements imposed on those who have achieved advanced certification. In fact, 20 hours of continuing education credit are awarded for each advanced program you successfully complete. The advanced designation carries the same expiration date as your CLA certification, and is renewed automatically when your CLA is renewed. If, however, you allow your CLA certification to lapse, you will lose the advanced certification as well.

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Q 21. Has the Certifying Board considered any provision for retired or semi-retired legal assistants who have attained the CLA designation?

Yes. CLA Emeritus Status is available for those CLAs meeting certain requirements as established by the Certifying Board. Information is available by contacting NALA Headquarters.

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Q   22. What happens if I allow my certification to expire and after a period of time want the designation again. Can I be reinstated?

Unless you had previously petitioned the Board for special consideration as one who will retire from the legal profession, during which time your certification would be held, you would be required to take the examination again to use the CLA designation. There is no provision for reinstatement once the one-year extension has passed.

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Q 23.  I am changing jobs but will still be working as a legal assistant. Can I continue to use the CLA designation?

Yes, as long as you are a CLA in good standing you are entitled to use the CLA designation.

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Q   24. Am I required to take continuing legal education in the substantive areas on which I was tested or in my practice area?

No. Your continuing legal education may be in any substantive area, regardless of what you chose as your test area or what advanced certification you might hold.

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Q 25.  How can I be certain that a particular seminar or course will meet the continuing education requirement before I invest my time and money?

Ask us. But don't wait until the day before you need an answer! If you will send a copy of the seminar or course brochure to NALA Headquarters, we can evaluate it and tell you whether or not it qualifies. Please allow at least three weeks lead time for your request.

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Q 26. I work in a small firm in an isolated area and thus have limited opportunities to attend seminars. How can I get CLAE credit?

Don't despair. Attending seminars is not the only way to earn CLAE credits. Many options are available to you. Credit can be recorded for watching or listening to video or audio tape presentations on relevant subjects, and may be recorded for completion of online courses. Work on special projects may qualify. Writing an article on a substantive area which is published may qualify. 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. On-line courses will also qualify -- for further information see the programs at www.NALACampus.com.

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Q   27. Does it matter that all my continuing education credits are earned in one category? For example, may they all be earned by writing articles?

All CLAE credits may be earned within a single category.

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Q   28. Will computer courses, including Westlaw and Lexis, qualify for CLAE credit?

Yes and no, again. These courses qualify in the non-substantive area. Remember you are limited to 10 hours (one unit) of non-substantive credit each five-year period.

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Q   29.  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 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 and session hours when submitting your request.

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Q   30. I have successfully completed the Certified Florida Legal Assistant (CFLA) examination, administered by the Paralegal Association of Florida  Inc. Am I entitled to any CLAE credit for this designation through NALA?

Yes! Individuals successfully completing the CFLA examination are entitled to 20 hours of CLAE 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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Q   31. My five-year certification period has expired and I still need a few more hours.  How do I request the one-year extension?

The extension is automatic -- you don't need to request it.  The CLA designation is valid for a five-year period, requiring 50 hours of continuing legal education hours to renew.  If the required hours of credit are not recorded by the end of the five-year period, a notice is sent automatically to the last known address of the CLA advising of the one-year extension in which to acquire the 50 hours of credit.  If the required hours are not recorded at the end of the additional year, the certification will lapse.

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Q   32.  I have moved and filed a forwarding order with the post office, but haven't received any information from NALA concerning the expiration of my CLA.  Why?

NALA's mail is sent to the last known address on file.  If your forwarding order has expired, or the postal service is unable to locate your current address, any information sent to you will be returned to NALA Headquarters as "Addressee Unknown," without providing a new mailing address.  Please be sure to notify NALA Headquarters of your new mailing address within 30 days of your relocation so that we may update our records.  Failure to do so will constitute waiver of the notice requirement.

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Q   33.  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.  See Answer #8 for more information.

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Q   34.  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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Q   35.  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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Q   36.  I recently submitted a request for credit for attendance at a seminar on environmental land management, but did not receive any credit for this program.  Why not?

The legal assistant education requirements to maintain the CLA credential are designed to ensure CLAs are keeping up with current law and procedures relevant to their work as legal assistants. For the Certifying Board to consider requests for participation in seminars outside the paralegal field, the seminar must include a review of the current law, and then only those portions of the seminar relevant to the law are eligible for credit.

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