REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTAINING CERTIFIED LEGAL ASSISTANT STATUS
All Certified Legal Assistants must submit evidence of completion
of fifty (50) hours of Continuing Legal Assistant Education every five
(5) years, which must include five (5) hours on the subject of legal
ethics, to maintain valid certification. A completed Recertification
Audit Verification plus a fee of $100 will also be required at the time
of recertification. Notice of one (1) year probation will be sent to
the last known address of all Certified Legal Assistants failing to
submit evidence of completion of the fifty (50) hours of CLAE within the
five (5) year period. If the Certified Legal Assistant fails to
complete the above recertification requirements in this time
certification will be revoked, with notice to the legal assistant.
All requests for CLAE credit are subject to Certifying Board
approval. Relevancy is subject to approval by the NALA Certifying
Board who may request employer attestation.
The categories of CLAE with credit values are:
CATEGORY A: Successful completion of a NALA Advanced
Paralegal Certification, NALA specialty certification, or
NALA-recognized State Specialty Examination -- 20 hours per certification.
CATEGORY B: Successful completion (Grade C or better) of a
relevant course for a minimum of 3 quarter hours or 2 semester hours
at an accredited institution of higher education. Relevancy may be
requested by employer attestation and NALA Certifying Board approval
-- 20 hours per course.
Auditing of a relevant course, or completion of a relevant course
not meeting above listed minimums -- 10 hours per course
(Clarification of hours: Institutions of higher education
generally are organized into quarters -- 10- 1 2 weeks in length and
give "quarter hours" as unit of course measurement or into semester
14-15 weeks in length and give "semester hours" as unit of course
measurement. A 2 semester hour course is usually equal to a 3
quarter hour course. Minimums are specified only.
Clarification of "accredited:" By any nationally recognized
accrediting agency.)
CATEGORY C: Attendance at conferences, seminars, workshops,
etc., on relevant topics for working legal assistants, with actual
hours recorded. Minimum content of one hour required for
consideration. Actual educational hours will be recorded and copy of
brochure and/or program indicating schedule must be attached (unless a
NALA-sponsored event.) Hours will be recorded on the basis of 10
hours of continuing education equaling one CLAE unit.
CATEGORY D: Certified Legal Assistants may petition NALA
Certifying Board for credit for unusual experiences which may be
considered for credit. Examples: teaching experience; extensive
research beyond employment requirements on a topic related to the work
of a practicing legal assistant which results in publication --
limited to 20 hours per petition.
MECHANICS: It is the obligation of Certified Legal
Assistants to secure supporting data (transcripts, employer and
coordinator attestations, articles, etc.) to be submitted to NALA
Headquarters as events are attended. These documents will be reviewed
by the full Certifying Board for action. Request forms are available
from NALA Headquarters, 1516 South Boston, Suite 200, Tulsa. Oklahoma
74119-4464; or e-mail
nalanet@nala.org.
NOTE: Effective October 1982, for recertification purposes,
except in Category A, units for attending seminars in areas other than
substantive law are limited to 10 hours (one unit) maximum for any five year
period. Legal education events dealing in substantive areas and/or
interpretation of the law must be taught by attorneys or
attorney/legal assistant teams.
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2006, for new
certifications and for those currently certified after their current
renewal period ends, five (5) hours on the subject of legal ethics
will be required as part of the total 50 hours necessary during each
five (5) year period to maintain valid certification.
Adopted 10/10/77; Amended 6/81; 8/82; 5/85; 5/87; 2/88; 5/88;
10/88; 3/93; 6/96; 5/97; 1/06
