What is a Certified Paralegal (CP®)?

In the working environment, professional certification is a time-honored process respected by both employers and those within the career field. The following is a definition used by many to describe professional certification: “Professional certification is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental entity grants a time-limited recognition to an individual after verifying that the
individual has met predetermined, standardized criteria” (Rops, M., Understanding the Language of
Credentialing, American Society of Association Executives, May 2002).

Certification is time limited, which means that those with the certification must fulfill ongoing educational requirements
to keep the certification current, and the criteria for certification are recognized in the community.

The Certified Paralegal credential has been developed to recognize paralegals who have
demonstrated entry-level knowledge and skill to provide competent assistance in the delivery of legal
services for lawyers, law offices, corporations, or governmental agencies in the United States. The
CP^® credential is a prestigious indicator to clients, potential clients, employers, and the public at
large that the paralegal professional has proficiency in the legal services field.

The Certified Paralegal Credential

Use of the Certified Paralegal credential signifies that a paralegal is capable of providing superior services to firms and corporations. National surveys consistently show 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 that marks a high level of professional achievement. The CP^® credential has also been recognized by more than 47 paralegal organizations and numerous bar associations.

Is it Legal Assistant or Paralegal?

The terms “legal assistant” and “paralegal” are synonymous terms. The terms are defined as such throughout the United States in state supreme court rules, statutes, ethical opinions, bar association guidelines, and other similar documents. These are the same documents that provide recognition of the paralegal profession and encourage the use of paralegals in the delivery of legal services.

NALA has become increasingly aware that while the terms are interchangeable, such as “lawyer” and “attorney”, a preference in terms is emerging. Different geographic areas use one term more than another. For this reason, NALA filed for a certification mark “CP” with the US Patent and Trademark Office. The certification mark was successfully registered on July 20, 2004.

Am I a Certified Paralegal?

Occasionally, paralegals call themselves “certified” by virtue of completing a paralegal training course, or another type of preparatory education. Although a school may award a certificate of completion, this is not the same as earning professional certification by an entity such as NALA. In this instance, the school’s certificate is the designation of completion of a training program.