Introduction - Certified Paralegal Examination Procedures

This and subsequent pages in the "Examinee Information" section of the site describe the administrative rules and policies for those seeking to participate in the Certified Paralegal program of NALA. It is a companion to other pages on the web site which describe the paralegal certification program in greater detail and provide a description of the sections of the Certified Paralegal examination.

ACT Testing Center Network

Most examinees in the Certified Paralegal program will be utilizing the ACT testing center network.   There are over 200 ACT testing centers throughout the United States. Most are located in community colleges and universities. After examinees are admitted to the Certified Paralegal program, they will work directly with ACT to confirm testing appointments. Details about this procedure are on the page entitled "Testing Center Details".

Examinees Participating in Non-ACT Testing Centers


NALA has established procedures which allow an employer or school which is not already an ACT testing center to apply to become a NALA approved testing center. This is designed for groups of employees or paralegal schools. A packet of forms and requirements to become an authorized testing center for the Certified Paralegal examination is available from the NALA web site and may also be obtained by contacting NALA Headquarters.

For those who are not using an ACT testing center, the center rules, policies, and terms and conditions for delivery of the examination remain the same. The difference is that the appointment procedures will vary based on the instructions of the business or school. Examinees who are participating in a testing center outside of the ACT network will be provided with information regarding test times and dates on an individual basis. The same testing dates will apply for all testing centers.

Filing deadline dates are strictly enforced.

Examination Date Application Filing Deadline** Late Application Filing Deadline (Must be received by with $25 late filing fee) September 1-30 August 1  August 10 January 1-31 December 1  December 10 May 1-31 April 1 April 10 **Additional forms will be required of all candidates if filing applications prior to meeting the eligibility requirements.  Contact NALA Headquarters for further information.   Applications received after the published date for late filing will not be accepted for the upcoming test window, but may be accepted for the next available window.

for examination application form for the Certified Paralegal examination (pdf format)  to complete and file an on-line application form for the Certified Paralegal examination.  for application to retake exam sections.

Filing the Application Form


The application procedure is a two-step process.  Examinees must first be admitted to the Certified Paralegal program by filing an application form with NALA Headquarters. Once admitted, examinees must schedule testing times through the ACT Testing Center Network to take an examination during the time the testing window is open.  

 

• Filing the Application Form

All candidates for the Certified Paralegal credential must meet the examination eligibility requirements and complete and submit an application form for an upcoming Certified Paralegal exam testing window. Application forms may be submitted at any time, but no later than the application deadline date for the upcoming testing window.

• Application Acknowledgement – Notification sent via e-mail

NALA Headquarters will acknowledge receipt of the application form and payment. Examinees will also be advised if additional information is needed to complete the form, such as a school transcript or an additional employer attestation.

• Examinee Test Packet – Notification sent via e-mail
  
  Approximately 30 days prior to the opening of the testing window, all approved examinees will receive the Authorization to Test form by e-mail. The Authorization to Test formincludes the login information required to access the computer-based examination, and the exam sections that need to be completed in the current testing window or before the application expiration date. The Authorization to Test form also includes a link to the most recent copy of the Authorization to Test form provided on NALA’s web site. Examinees are encourage to review the web site packet for the most recent information.
  
  If any information is incorrectly listed on the Authorization to Test form, examinees should contact NALA Headquarters immediately.
  
  The rules and procedures contained in the information packet are discussed in the Testing Center Details section. 
   
• E-mail Notification Regarding Scheduling Appointments Through ACT 

Examinees will receive notification by e-mail advising that ACT is ready to accept appointments from NALA examinees. The e-mail message will provide a web address for examinees to use to schedule the appointment(s), and the examinee ID number, and PIN. These numbers should be identical to the information provided by NALA. If they are not, examinees should contact NALA Headquarters immediately.

 

Examinees taking the exam through non-ACT testing centers may disregard the ACT scheduling e-mails.
 

• Testing Center Appointments Through ACT's Web Site

Upon receipt of the candidate test packet, and notification from ACT, all examinees who are attending an ACT testing center are urged to make their appointments as quickly as possible. Depending on the center location, space is limited and if there is a delay in making the appointment, the exact time or date requested may not be available.