After the Examination Details

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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 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!!!

As of 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.

CLE Look Up for Certified Paralegals
Click this link to review the CLE credits recorded on your account. This information includes the expiration date of your certificate, the total credits awarded, as well as the credits that are classified as non-substantive credits, and ethics. Detail of the event and date recorded is included. This information is updated every 24-48 hours during the business week.

Members need to log in with their NALA Net User name, and member number as the password. Non-members will be provided login information in an electronic newsletter. If you do not have this handy, click here to request this information from NALA Headquarters.

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

Commercial Bankruptcy APC Course Released!

A new Advanced Paralegal Certification (APC) course in Commercial Bankruptcy under Chapters 7 and 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is now available to paralegals seeking advanced certification in this specialty practice area. ...

More

CLE Gift for NALA Active Members!

Active members of NALA - new and renewals - are receiving an $80 gift certificate from NALA to apply toward any NALA educational program or Facts & Findings subscription ...

More

New for Certified Paralegals!

Now, Certified Paralegals may access their records of continuing education credits on-line, on a 24/7 basis. In addition, this access also works on smart phones and tablets. Now, information about your progress in accumulating the required 50 hours is at your finger tips!

More

Advanced Paralegal Certification in Criminal Litigation Released!

Several years in development, the Advanced Paralegal Certification board announces the ACP Certification program in Criminal Litigation!

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...

Click here for more news articles

After the Examination Details - Results and CLE Details

Examination Results - Scores

A passing score of 70% or more of the total points is required for each examination section in order to successfully complete the Certified Paralegal examination. The examination sections and total possible points are as follows:

Communications
- 100 Total Points
- Passing score is 70 or more points
- Objective questions total 70 points; 30 points are allotted to the essay question
Judgment and Analytical Ability
- 150 points are allotted to the essay question
- Passing score is 105 or more points
Ethics
- 100 Total Points
- Passing score is 70 or more points
Legal Research
- 100 Total Points
- Passing score is 70 or more points
Substantive Law
- 500 Total Points
- Passing score is 350 or more points
- Distribution of points among the 5 parts of this examination is not considered in determining a passing score. Examinees may do well on one or more section, and poorly on others.

Grade Reports

Results of the examination are provided via US mail to all examinees. The results will be released during the first week of the second month following the test window, i.e., the first week of March, July, and November. This allows time for essays to be graded, data validated, and scores recorded. Results are not available by e-mail, telephone or fax.

Grade reports provide failing scores only. In addition, examinees will receive a report of the subject areas that appeared to be most difficult. This information is provided to assist examinees in preparation for their retake.

Grade reports do not provide passing scores. Sections of the examination that are successfully completed are designated with “Pass.” The Certifying Board has determined “Pass” is sufficient to designate successful completion of the examinations section and that if a paralegal has met the standard, the paralegal has earned the Certified Paralegal credential.

Appeal of Examination Results

Examinees have a right to appeal the determination of the NALA Certifying Board. Click here to review the requirements for an appeal.

Maintaining Certified Status

The Certified Paralegal credential is awarded for a period of five years. To maintain Certified Paralegal status, paralegals must submit proof of participation in a minimum of 50 hours of continuing legal education programs or individual study programs, which must include five hours on the subject of legal ethics. Credit is also awarded for significant achievement in the area of continuing paralegal education such as successful completion of a state certification test, completion of an Advanced Paralegal Certification program, or teaching in a paralegal program.

There is a Certified Paralegal Emeritus Status category for paralegals over 55 years of age who have retired from employment as a paralegal and want to maintain their certification. The Emeritus Status is also available to those Certified Paralegals who are not working as a paralegal because of a permanent disability. Contact NALA Headquarters for further details.

Click here to review the Requirements for Maintaining Certified Paralegal Status.