National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

Certified Paralegal (CP)

Credential: Certified Paralegal (CP)  GI Bill resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

Renewal Period: 5 years

Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) is an entry-level certification. CLA/CP credential signifies that a legal assistant is capable of providing superior services to firms and corporations. National surveys consistently show Certified Legal Assistants/Certified Paralegals are better utilized in a field where attorneys are looking for a credible, dependable way to measure ability. The credential has been recognized by the American Bar Association as a designation which marks a high level of professional achievement. The CLA/CP credential has also been recognized by over 47 legal assistant organizations and numerous bar associations. Candidates must meet education and/or experience requirements and pass an examination.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Paralegal (CP)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 7 years
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 5 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

7666 E 61st Street
Suite 315
Tulsa, OK  74133

Phone: (918) 587-6828

Fax: (918) 582-6772
Email: kcordell@nala.org

Show All / Hide All

Option 1:

Graduation from a legal assistant program that meets one of the following criteria:

  • Approved by the American Bar Association
  • An associates degree program
  • A post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies
  • A baccalaureate degree program in legal assistant studies
  • A legal assistant program consisting of at least 60 semester hours (900 clock hours or 225 quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours) are substantive legal courses

Option 2:

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

Option 3:

A high school diploma or equivalent and seven years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a Bar member, plus a minimum of 20 hours of continuing legal education within a two-year period before the exam date.

The Certified Paralegal (CP) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Not have been convicted of a felony.
  • Provide a letter signed by an attorney who attests to the applicant's good moral character along with the completed CLA Application Form.

The Certified Paralegal examination is divided into five sections. 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 are further tested by an essay question on the Judgment and Analytical Ability section. Any form of test question (true/false, multiple choice, essay) may be used at any time on the Certified Paralegal examination.

Written Exam

  • Communications
    • Grammar, punctuation, and capitalization (19%)
    • Word usage, spelling, and vocabulary (17%)
    • Written correspondence and composition (17%)
    • Verbal communication (17%)
    • Nonverbal communication (16%)
    • Client and witness interview preparation and techniques (13%)
  • Ethics
    • Ethical responsibilities centering on performance of delegated work (21.3%)
    • Paralegal professional responsibility (21.3%)
    • Professional relationships (21.3%)
    • Client and public contact (19%)
    • Attorney code of ethics and discipline (17%)
  • Legal Research
    • Sources of law (34%)
    • Research skills (32%)
    • Analysis of research (34%)
  • Substantive Law
    • Legal terminology (7%)
    • Court system (6%)
    • Sources and classifications of law (6%)
    • Branches of government (5%)
    • Legal concepts and principles (5%)
    • Remedies and dispute resolution (5%)
    • Jurisdiction and venue (6%)
    • Civil litigation process and rules (6%)
    • Civil discovery (6%)
    • Civil pleadings (6%)
    • Civil trial and appellate process and rules (6%)
    • Corporations (5%)
    • Publicly-held corporations (4%)
    • Partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs) (4%)
    • Other business entities (5%)
    • Financial structure and management of business entities (5%)
    • Contract classifications (4%)
    • Contract formation (5%)
    • Contract defenses (4%)
    • Contract remedies (5%)
  • Judgement and Analytical Ability
    • Identification of relevant facts and main issues (26%)
    • Application of law to facts (24%)
    • Analysis of issues and formation of conclusions (25%)
    • Organization of information and clarity of expression (25%)

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Paralegal (CP)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Certified Paralegal (CP) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Certified Paralegals may renew their certification upon submission of proof of participation in 50 clock hours of continuing legal education (CLE) programs. The CLE must include a minimum of 5 hours of legal ethics, which provide instruction of a substantive nature on various practice areas of law, rules of procedure, or skills that are relevant to the work of paralegals. Applicants also submit a signed affidavit that the Certified Paralegal has not been convicted of a felony during the five-year period, and pay the recertification fee. See the NALA Recertification Requirements page for additional details.

Additional considerations for the Certified Paralegal (CP) include:

  • Please note that the certification is currently referred to as the Certified Paralegal (CP), however the agency has, prior to 2004, offered the same credential under the name Certified Legal Assistant (CLA).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

Click for more information.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

Click for more information.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

Click for more information.

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here for more information.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

Click here for more information.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

Click here for more information.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

Click here for more information.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

Click here for more information.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Click here for more information.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Legal Secretaries
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Legal Secretaries
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
Top