Details about . . . Louisiana  Certified Paralegal  Program

October 4-5, 1996 - First Testing Session

At its 1992 annual meeting, the members of the Louisiana State Paralegal Association passed a resolution which endorsed voluntary certification as a means of establishing professional standards and promoting recognition of the paralegal profession. Subsequently, LSPA determined a state voluntary certification credential should be developed and made available to all Louisiana paralegals who desire to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge, a high degree of proficiency in Louisiana Law, and adherence to a Code of Ethics to enhance the quality of paralegal services available to the Louisiana legal community and to the public it serves. The resulting certification program requires the candidate to sit for both the LCP (Louisiana Certified Paralegal) and CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) examinations. The LCP examination is designed to test the examinee's knowledge and understanding of Louisiana legal and judicial system, Louisiana general law, ethics, civil procedure and four areas of Louisiana substantive law. The CLA examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants tests the core paralegal skills, knowledge of the American legal and judicial system, and four areas of substantive law based on Federal law and common law principles.

To qualify for the examination, one must either have a valid CLA credential or meet one of the alternate eligibility requirements of the CLA examination.

Testing Sessions:

The examination is offered twice a year - in October and in the spring (March or April). In 2004, examination dates are April 2-3 and October 1-2. Applications are due six weeks prior to the examination date.

Subjects:

As a state specific examination, the LCP examination is designed to test a paralegal's knowledge and comprehension of the law in the State of Louisiana. Each examinee will be required to take the General law, Ethics and Civil Procedures sections and must select four law topics, from a list of eight, that will comprise the substantive law section of that examinee's test. The substantive law areas are:

Business Organizations

Contracts/Obligations

Criminal Law and Procedure

Wills/Probate/Successions/Trusts

Family Law

Property

Torts

Evidence

Preparation:

Those individuals who have not had formal substantive law paralegal courses in Louisiana would benefit from study of a current textbook covering the topics selected for the substantive law section. Much of the material covered in this section of the examination is acquired through experience in the legal field.

LSPA offers a review course once a year to assist interested parties in preparing for the examination. Study materials from the review course sessions are available from the Louisiana State Paralegal Association.

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