Certification Connection: Sidebar

Certified Paralegals (CPs)! Please find below the most current certification updates and requirements for maintaining your Certified Paralegal (CP®) credential. Be sure to visit your NALA account regularly to review your CLE hours and certification expiration date.

Appeals

Appeals

Period of Non-Compliance (NEW)
Upon the expiration of the CP’s certification period, any CP® who has not complied with the CLE policies is in non-compliance and has 30 days to cure the deficiencies. If the CLE deficiencies are not cured during the 30-day non-compliance period, the CP’s credential is automatically revoked.
Appeal of Revocation of Certified Paralegal Credential Failure to Meet CLE Requirements
A Certified Paralegal may appeal revocation of the Certified Paralegal credential for failure to meet CLE requirements in writing to the Recertification Appeals Committee. Grounds for appeal include the following:
  • CLE documents were lost in transit (via mail or electronically);
  • the CLE programs were attended but evidence of attendance was destroyed, lost or misplaced; or
  • CLE hours were rejected but are believed to be within the published guidelines.
Appeals must include all relevant documentation and must be received by NALA within 30 days after revocation. The appeal shall be reviewed by NALA Certification Staff or the Certifying Board’s Recertification Appeals Committee. Decisions by NALA Certification Staff or the Recertification Appeals Committee are final and shall be communicated by NALA to the paralegal within 10 days of the decision.
Appeal of Revocation of Certified Paralegal Credential Based on Hardship or Extreme Circumstances
A Certified Paralegal may appeal revocation of the Certified Paralegal credential based on hardship or extreme circumstances. Such appeals will be considered under the following conditions:
  • The five-year certification period has expired; and
  • The Certified Paralegal is on active military or active military reserve duty; or
  • The Certified Paralegal has extenuating personal challenges, which could include long term unemployment or severe medical issues hampering one’s ability to work or engage in activities outside of work for a period of one year or more.
Appeals must be filed with the Recertification Appeals Committee within 30 days after the revocation of the certification. If the committee members are unanimous in their decision, the paralegal will be advised within 10 days of the Recertification Appeals Committee decision. If the committee members are unable to come to a unanimous agreement, the appeal will be forwarded to the full Certifying Board for review and decision. The paralegal will be advised within 10 days of the Certifying Board decision. During the appeal, NALA revokes the Certified Paralegal credential which may not be used or claimed by the paralegal.

CLE

There are no changes to CLE requirements; however, there are some language updates that were made to provide clarity. See the blue font. 

Minimum Length: There is no minimum length requirement for CLE. NALA does not abide by state-specific CLE conversion rules. The number of continuing legal education hours for which the program was scheduled should be recorded in actual minutes or hours. 

CLE Hours Calculation: Certified Paralegals will be awarded CLE for each minute completed at a seminar, workshop, or course (live, online, or self-study). When entering CLE earned, CPs should enter the credits or hours shown on the program’s certificate of completion/attendance. In the absence of a certificate of completion/attendance, enter the number of hours for which the program was scheduled, as shown on an agenda or other similar documentation. Hours are not awarded for session breaks or lunch breaks. If a lunch includes an educational component, time is awarded only for the actual presentation.

Report CP® Exam Cheating and Misconduct

CP® Exam cheating and misconduct are not tolerated in the Certified Paralegal (CP®) Program. We have created a designated portal to receive reports if either are suspected. The form is for the submission of a complaint against a NALA CP® Exam candidate, individual, or organization suspected of cheating and/or misconduct. If you believe you have witnessed either, please submit the form    here.

To access the portal from our website, go to the Certification page, scroll to the Report CP® Exam Cheating or Misconduct box.

 

CP® Retired

The CP® Retired criteria has been updated to reflect the following:​

  1. 1. I am currently and have been certified for more than five years;​
  2. 2. I am at least 55 years of age or older;​
  3. 3. I am no longer employed in the legal field​


If you are approaching retirement, please be sure to submit your request by clicking here.

Recertification Requirements

Certified Paralegals (CPs) must complete a total of 50 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including a minimum of five hours of legal ethics and no more than 10 hours of non-substantive hours during each five-year recertification period.

All CLE for the recertification period must be entered into your NALA account prior to your certification expiration date.

In order to recertify, you MUST meet the following three Certifying Board requirements by your certification expiration date:

1. Completion and submission of 50 CLE hours, including five hours of legal ethics and no more than 10 hours of non-substantive hours
2. Signed Recertification Affidavit
3. Recertification fee paid to NALA

CP® Recertification and Membership Renewal Fees

Certification and Membership are two separate divisions within NALA. Your certification is not dependent upon being a member and vice versa.

Certification is awarded after successfully passing the Certified Paralegal Exam. It must be maintained by participating in the required CLE along with submitting the Recertification Affidavit and fee. Recertification occurs every five years.

Membership is renewed annually. Being a NALA member provides you with a tremendous amount of benefits, including discounts on online education, products, and conference registration.

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