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Certification

This area includes details of the examination program and provides information for those seeking and those maintaining professional certification. In addition, employers may refer to these pages for more details about the certification program and its requirements.


Click to learn more about the Advanced Paralegal Certification Program
Click learn more about advanced
certification for paralegals!
 

Established in 1976, the CLA /CP (Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal) program has enabled the profession to develop a strong and responsive self-regulatory program offering a nationwide credential for all paralegals. Today over 15,000 paralegals have achieved this credential.


IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!
Beginning in the Fall of 2010, the Certified Paralegal Exam will move to computer based testing. CLICK HERE for information desribing the new process, just released by the NALA Certifying Board.

Professional certification is a time honored career development tool. It is helpful to employers and those seeking to enhance their career options. Because of the reliance on certification programs for career decisions, it is important a program is professionally managed and administered. NALA's over 30 years of experience in this area, and over 15,000 paralegals attest to the professionalism of the program.


 Current Directory of Certified Paralegals
This link opens a form that may be used to verify one's certification status. Please check the update date if a name is not listed.


Need to pay an exam fee?
  here for a payment window.


Want to file a request for CLE credits on-line?
 to save time and energy!



News & Upcoming Events
Florida Case Supports Paralegal Fee Awards as Attorney Fees

This opinion, released on June 28, considers an issue of first impression related to the award of paralegal fees in attorney fee awards.

More
Details about CP Exam Computer Based Testing Announced!

Beginning in September 2010, the Certified Paralegal exam will be offered via computer based testing to testing centers throughout the United States. NALA will be using the 200+ ACT testing center network of colleges and universities, and additional sites may be established in schools without ACT testing centers . . .

More
Special Membership Program for Employers

NALA has announced a program of offering discounts off annual membership dues to employers with multiple NALA members. Details may be found on the web site under "About NALA & Join" ...

More
LEAP Class of 2010 Article Released!

As part of NALA’s LEAP program, the 2010 class was assigned to write an article on “Leadership” for publication on the NALA Web Site. Read on to learn more and access the article

More
Need a product or service for your office?

The NALA Vendor Directory is a terrific place to start. This is a list of legal vendors offering a great range of help including deposition services, document services, and investigations. Click the link below...
More      

 
Click here for more news articles
 
CP Examination Description

The CLA examination is divided into five sections. A minimum passing score of 70% is required on all five sections in order to earn the Certified Paralegal credential.

Examinees are asked to demonstrate knowledge by responding to true/false, multiple choice and matching questions requiring knowledge of the subject and reading comprehension skills. Analytical skills and writing abilities are further tested by essay questions. The sections of the examination are as follows:

Communications

  • Word usage and vocabulary
  • Grammar/punctuation
  • Writing skills
  • Nonverbal communications
  • General communications related to interviewing and client communications
  • General communications related to interoffice office situations
This section contains a writing exercise.

The Elements of Style, Strunk & White, has been adopted by the NALA Certifying Board as the authority for the Communications section.

 Ethics

  • Ethical responsibilities centering on performance of delegated work including confidentiality, unauthorized practice of law, legal advice, conflict of interest, billing and client communications
  • Client/public contact including identification as a non-lawyer, advertising and initial client contact
  • Professional Integrity/competence including knowledge of paralegal codes of ethics
  • Relationships with co-workers and support staff
  • Attorney codes/discipline
  • Knowledge of the American Bar Association's Rules of Professional Conduct and the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility is required by this examination.

Legal Research

  • Sources of law including primary authority, secondary authority; understanding how law is recorded
  • Research skills including citing the law; shepardizing, updating decisions; procedural rules of citations
  • Analysis of research problem including identification of relevant facts and legal issues

A Uniform System of Citation, Harvard Law Review Association, has been adopted by the NALA Certifying Board as the authority for the Legal Research section.

Judgment and Analytical Ability

  • Comprehension of data – identifying and understanding a problem
  • Application of knowledge – ability to link facts or legal issues from other cases to the problem at hand, recognizing similarities and differences by analogy
  • Evaluating and categorizing data
  • Organizing data and findings in a written document

This section contains an essay question which requires analysis of a research request, finding applicable law, and writing a responsive memo.

Examinees will be graded on the ability to:

  • Identify which facts are relevant and state them concisely and accurately;
  • Identify the threshold or main issue and any secondary issue(s);
  • Identify the relevant legal authority and apply it to the facts; and
  • Draw persuasive logical conclusions.

 Substantive Law


The substantive law section of the examination is composed of five sub-sections. The first section, Substantive Law-General covers concepts of the American legal system. All examinees are required to take this section. Subjects covered within this section include:

  • Court system including their structure and jurisdiction
  • Branches of government, agencies, and concepts such as separation of powers
  • Legal concepts and principles including sources of law, judicial decision making, appellate process
  • Sources and classifications of law including the constitution, statutes, common law, civil law, statutory law and equity law

The other four sub-sections are selected by the applicants from a list of nine substantive areas of the law. These tests cover general knowledge of the following practice areas:

  • Administrative Law
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business Organizations
  • Civil Litigation
  • Contracts
  • Criminal Law and Procedure
  • Estate Planning and Probate
  • Family Law
  • Real Estate

The skills required by these tests involve recall of facts and principles that form the basis of the specialty practice area. Examinees must also demonstrate an understanding of the structure of the law and procedures to be followed in each specialty practice area.