Eligibility


To be eligible for the Certified Paralegal examination, a paralegal must meet one of the following alternate requirements:

1. Graduation from a paralegal program that is:  

• (a) Approved by the American Bar Association; or
• (b) An associate degree program; or
• (c) A post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or
• (d) A bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or
• (e) A paralegal program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (900 clock hours or 90 quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

NOTE:  Under Category 1(e), an applicant may combine college hours from more than one institution. The applicant must have graduated from a legal assistant/paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22½ quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year's experience as a paralegal. Successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or 22.5 quarter hours or 225 clock hours) of substantive paralegal courses will be considered equivalent to one year's experience as a paralegal.

3. A high school diploma or equivalent plus seven (7) years' experience as a paralegal under the supervision of a member of the Bar, plus evidence of a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing legal education credit to have been completed within a two (2) year period prior to the examination date.

• A statement signed by the paralegal program director confirming the student’s pending graduation date.
• A statement signed by the examinee acknowledging that if, for any reason, graduation requirements are not met and the examinee does not complete the program, the examination results will not be released and all fees forfeited.  

Additional forms will be required of all candidates if filing applications prior to meeting the eligibility requirements. Contact NALA Headquarters for the required forms and further information about this requirement.

Fees

 

Personal checks ARE NOT accepted for payment of examination fees. Payment may be made either by cashier’s check, money order, firm check, VISA, Master Card, Discover, or American Express.

ACT testing center fees are discussed on the ACT Testing Center Information Details page.

Documentation

 

• All pages of the application form must be complete, including choice of four (4) areas of Substantive Law, and signature. 
   
• All documentation required to complete the Certified Legal Assistant application form must be submitted at the time of filing the application. Documentation includes official school transcripts, attorney attestations and payment. Incomplete applications are subject to rejection.
   
• Categories 1 and 2 require an official transcript submitted with the application. A transcript is considered “official” if it bears the official seal and authorizing signature of the issuing institution and is sent directly by the school to NALA or sealed by the school and mailed or delivered to NALA by the applicant. The official transcript must indicate all courses taken and date of graduation.
   
• Category 3 requires a minimum of seven (7) years paralegal experience under the supervision of a member of the bar, along with a minimum of twenty (20) clock hours of continuing education, as verified by one or more attorney attestations. Applicant must also include the requested information verifying high school graduation or equivalent work.

Attorney/Employer Attestations

• For those qualifying under Category 1, an attorney/employer attestation is not required
• For those qualifying under Category 2 the attestation section is required only if applying with one year or more of paralegal experience in lieu of the 15 semester hours of paralegal courses. 
• The attestation section must be completed by all applicants for Category 3. 

Americans with Disabilities Act


The Certified Paralegal examination is administered in compliance with requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. All special requests must accompany the application form. Contact NALA Headquarters at nalanet@nala.org or 918-587-6828 to request the special accommodation form. Examinees qualifying for special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act must attend an ACT testing center.

 

Application for Retake of Examination Sections

Applications for the Certified Paralegal examination are considered active for a period of two years. During that time, all five sections of the examination must be successfully completed to achieve the CP (Certified Paralegal) credential. If the examination is not successfully completed within the two year period, credit for all completed sections will be forfeited and the entire examination must be retaken. A new, updated, application form will be required. The two year period begins on the date any section of the examination is first taken.

 

Examinees who do not achieve a passing score on any sections(s) may retake the section(s) during any testing window within the two year period. Retake applications are due on the dates listed above for all applications.

 

Substantive Law Elective Sections:  For those who must retake the Substantive Law section of the examination, the composition of the examination will be the same. All are required to take the section on the American Legal System and select exams in 4 practice areas of law from a list of 9 areas. Retake examinees are not required to take the same elective sections. The application form includes space for selection of the areas.
 

More details about the testing centers appear in this section under "Testing Center Details."