Search this site

NALA website menus and toolbar for quick reference
Home Click to contact NALA Headquarters Click to download NALA Forms

Certified Legal Assistant/ Certified Paralegal
Examination Application Form
Note:  This page uses pop up windows for instruction. To view properly, please close any pop up window blockers you may be using.

Instructions.  There are several ways to apply to take the CLA/CP examination:
  • Complete this on-line form and submit payment by credit card. Mail, fax or email to NALA Headquarters a signed attestation form(s) and the required supporting documentation. The documentation must be received by NALA Headquarters to complete the form.
    If you complete the form on-line - you will still need to
    send information to NALA Headquarters to complete the
    application. This includes official transcripts showing the
    date of completion of your formal education, and original signed
    attestations from your attorney/employer or school official.
     
    By clicking "Submit" below, the application form is submitted
    to NALA Headquarters. Another page will open with payment
    instructions and a link to a transmittal form that you may
    use to send the additional documentation.
     
    Applicants may complete this form and submit payment by check
    with other documentation.
  • Print the form from this web site (in pdf format), complete and submit with payment and documentation to NALA Headquarters. CLA/CP Application Form, PDF Format
     
  • Request an application form and documentation from NALA Headquarters via e-mail or call 918-587-6828.
     
  • Click here  to read the rules and regulations regarding the filing of an application for the CLA examination. This includes filing deadlines, fee information, testing center information, and a link to detailed examination rules.
     
  • For a complete list of the rules and regulations governing the CLA/CP examination program, click here. The rules include the requirements for maintaining certification, and disciplinary rules and procedures.

National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.
1516 S. Boston, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK  74119
Phone:  918.587.6828
Fax:       918.582.6772
Before you begin . . . applicants may qualify under one of 3 categories.  Click on the links below for a description of the category and a check list of information needed to complete the application.

Completion of paralegal education program:

A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year's experience or paralegal education:

Seven years'
experience
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3

  • The Certified Legal Assistant examination is administered in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Any special requests must accompany this application form.
     

  • Effective August 2001, the CLA examination program has been approved by the Veterans Administration under the new licensing and certification benefit. The VA will pay the examination fee for qualified veterans. For further information, see www.gibill.va.gov/education/benefits.htm.

General Information
Must be completed by all applicants.
Examination date for this application:


NALA Member
Non-Member

NALA Account Number:

Have you submitted an application before?
Please answer "yes" or "no" 

 
A list of possible testing centers (and codes) will appear by clicking on the drop down lists below.  Please specify a preferred center by selecting from the menu or entering a city/state in the field below, and an alternate testing center. NALA reserves the right to cancel any testing center where less than ten (10) applicants register. Applicants will be assigned to the closest available center. Any applicant desiring to change from one testing center to another must notify NALA Headquarters at least 30 days prior to the examination date.  In the event of cancellation of a published testing center by NALA, affected applicants will be advised of nearest open center and will be entitled to a full refund if distance or other circumstances preclude travel to alternate testing center.
Preferred testing center code:

Alternate testing city code:


Center - Complete only if preferred center or state is NOT listed:

 Preferred Address:
Home    Office
Social Security Number -- LAST FOUR DIGITS ONLY
(Note:  This is used for identification purposes only -- enter only the last four digits.  You may create a number if you wish -- just be to make note of the number you entered for your records.)
Last Name
First Name
Middle Initial:
Home Address1:
Home Address2:
Home Address3:
Home - City    
Home - State
Home - Zip Code
Home Phone:
Employer's Name:
Employer's Address1:
Employer's Address2:
Employer's Address3:
Employer's City   
Employer's State
Employer's Zip
Office Phone
Format as XXX-XXX-XXXX

Fax
Format as XXX-XXX-XXXX
E-Mail:
Please verify e-mail address Type "Yes" to continue: 

Years of legal assistant experience:

Total years of legal experience:

Method of Payment
Examination Fee:  $250 Members; $275 Non-members
Payment is due no later than the application deadline date. Select your method of payment:

Credit Card  Continue with completing the application form. When the  "Submit" button is clicked another window will open which will provide instructions for payment via credit card through a secured web site.

Check Payment to be mailed to NALA Headquarters with other information. Payment by check must be in the form of a certified check, money order or firm check.  Personal checks are not accepted for payment of examination fees
   Amount paid Firm Check/Certified Check/Money Order number
   
Name on the check
Contributions or gifts to NALA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, payments may qualify as ordinary and necessary business expense. 

Refer to the rules and regulations  for information about deadline dates, processing fees, and late fees.

Substantive Law Sections
Applicants must select four areas

This section of the examination consists of one section covering the American Legal System and four other sections selected by each examinee.  Indicate which four of the nine areas below you wish to be tested by clicking on the box:
Administrative Law  Bankruptcy
Contract  Business Organizations 
Criminal  Litigation 
Real Estate  Estate Planning/Probate 
Family Law 

Applicant Attestation
Must be acknowledged and accepted by all applicants
I hereby declare that the above information is complete and truthful.  I further pledge not to divulge the contents of any examination questions for certification as a legal assistant by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., (the "Examination Questions"), and agree to be bound by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.  Inasmuch as it is and ever will be impracticable and extremely difficult to determine the actual damages resulting to the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., should I divulge the contents of any Examination Questions, I agree to pay the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, the sum of $500 for each breach of my agreement not to divulge the contents of any Examination Questions.  I further understand that the CLA/CP designation may be suspended or revoked and that I may be prohibited from taking any further NALA exams, including, but not limited to, any specialty exams or retaking the general certification exam for the following reasons:
  1. Falsification of information on application form.
  2. Subsequent conviction of the unauthorized practice of law.
  3. Failure to meet the continuing legal education requirements as required by the Certifying Board.
  4. Divulging the contents of any examination questions.
  5. Subsequent conviction of a felony.
  6. Violation of the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

With full knowledge of the above requirements and agreement to be bound by any decisions of the Certifying Board for Legal Assistants of the National Association of Legal Assistants., Inc., with respect to examinations or designations, I submit this application.

Type Name :

Note: by typing your name here and clicking "accept" below, you are agreeing to the provisions of this attestation and indicating your understanding of its provisions.

  

Qualifications
Candidates for certification must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing this application form. Select the appropriate category based on your experience and training and complete all information required for the category. 

Individuals currently incarcerated for any offense, or on probation, parole, or other court-imposed supervision for a felony offense, are ineligible to sit for the CLA/CP examination.
Category 1 applicants:
complete the section below		 Category 2 applicants:
Click here to continue		 Category 3 applicants:
Click here to continue

Complete This Section if Applying Under
Category 1
If you are applying under Category 1, please check the appropriate box below.  An official school transcript showing courses taken and date of graduation must be attached to this application for Categories 1(a) through 1(e).  You must have graduated from one of the following legal assistant programs that is: (check one)
(a) Approved by the American Bar Association; or
(b) An associate degree program; or
(c) A post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies; or

(In addition to your official school transcript, please attach to this application an original course catalogue or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting this is a post-baccalaureate program--that a bachelor's degree is necessary for program admission -- along with a transcript showing completed coursework.)
(d) A bachelor's degree program in legal assistant studies; or
(e) A legal assistant program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester (or equivalent quarter)* hours of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours)** are substantive legal courses.

(Attach to this application an official school transcript which shows the semester, quarter or clock hours necessary to meet this qualification. If this is not shown on the transcript, an original letter on school letterhead from the school registrar or program director will be necessary. The application will be incomplete without this information.)

* 900 clock hours of a legal assistant program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours. 
90 quarter hours of a legal assistant program will be considered equivalent to 60 semester hours.

** 225 clock hours of substantive legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours.
22 1/2 quarter hours of legal courses will be considered equivalent to 15 semester hours.

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 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.

The application form will be considered incomplete without the official school transcript showing completion of a paralegal program.

Required of all Category 1 Applicants:
Transmittal Form for
Category 1 Documentation
  • Click Here to open the transmittal form (pdf format) required of all Category 1 applicants.  Complete this form and mail, fax, or e-mail the completed form to NALA Headquarters.
     
  • This form AND the official school transcript showing completion of  paralegal studies are required to complete the application process. 

If you are applying under Category 1, this completes the application process.
Click here or scroll down and click the "Submit" button to submit your application.

Complete This Section if Applying Under Category 2

Check here if you are applying under Category 2.

Category 2 applicants must have a bachelor's degree in any field plus (1) year's experience as a legal assistant. Successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or 22 1/2 quarter hours or 225 clock hours) of substantive legal assistant courses is equivalent to the one year experience requirement.

All applicants under Category 2 must submit with this application form an official school transcript showing receipt of a bachelor's degree and date of completion. Those applying under the provision allowing for additional course work in lieu of the one year's work experience must submit with this application an official school transcript showing completed course work.

Applicants applying under Category 2 with experience in lieu of course work must submit an original attestation form verifying the minimum one year of paralegal experience.

The application form will be considered incomplete without the official school transcript, along with either an original attestation verifying experience or official school transcript showing equivalent courses in lieu of experience.

Educational Institutions:

 Institution/City/State:
Bachelor's Degree:
Legal Assistant Program:
Employment History: Must cover a period of one year if submitting experience in lieu of legal assistant course work.  Attach an additional sheet, if necessary.
Attorney Employer:


Dates of Employment:

 From: To:

Attorney Employer:


Dates of Employment:

 From: To:

Required of all Category 2 Applicants:
Transmittal Form for 
Category 2 Documentation
  • Click Here to open the transmital form (pdf format) required of all Category 2 applicants.  Complete this form and mail, fax, or e-mail the completed form to NALA Headquarters.
     
  • This form AND an official school transcript showing completion of bachelor's degree and paralegal studies are required to complete the application process if applying with legal assistant course work.
     
  • This form AND an official school transcript showing completion of bachelor's degree and an original attestation form verifying paralegal experience are required to complete the application process if applying with paralegal experience in lieu of course work.

If you are applying under Category 2, this completes the application process.
Click here or scroll down and click the "Submit" button to submit your application.

Complete this Section if Applying Under Category 3

Check here if you are applying under Category 3.

If you are applying under Category 3, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent plus seven (7) years experience as a legal assistant** plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing legal education completed within a two-year period prior to application for the examination.

Evidence of continuing education credit is documented by the attorney/employer attestation that must be signed to complete this application form. No further documentation is required.

**Within this category, "Legal assistant" is defined as: Legal assistants or paralegals are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.

Employment History:   Must cover a period of seven (7) years. 

Attorney Employer
City/State:


Dates of Employment:

 From: To:

Attorney Employer
City/State:


Dates of Employment:

 From: To:

Attorney Employer
City/State:


Dates of Employment:

 From: To:

Attorney Employer
City/State:


Dates of Employment:

 From: To:


High School Diploma     GED     Date Received: 

Required of All Category 3 Applicants:  
Attestation of Attorney
  • Click Here to open the attestation form (pdf format) required of all Category 3 applicants.  Complete this form and mail, fax, or e-mail the completed form to NALA Headquarters.

If you are applying under Category 3, this completes the application process.
Click the "Submit" button below to submit your application.

End of application form


Site Links
Date of Last Update:  08/04/2005