FAQ

CP FAQs

Occasionally, paralegals will 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 a designation of completion of a training program.

If you would like to learn more, please review an article that was listed in Paralegal Brief (Edition: Week of March 9, 2024).

 

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. NALA has become increasingly aware that while the terms are defined as identifying the same professional, a preference in terms has emerged. 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. Those who are admitted to the Certified Paralegal program today and successfully complete the examination are awarded a “Certified Paralegal” certificate and may use the credential “CP.” Those who renew their certification are also awarded the “Certified Paralegal” certificate and encouraged to use the credential “CP.” However, some with this certification continue to use the credential, “CLA.”

No, membership dues and certification renewal are separate and must be paid individually.

To review specific questions and answers regarding the CP Exam application process, click here!  You may also call or email us at 918-587-6828 or testing@nala.org.

Click here to review specific questions and answers regarding the CP Recertification process!  If you have additional questions, please call or email us at 918-587-6828 or cle@nala.org.

Self-Study Track FAQs

All self-study courses qualify for CLE through NALA.  For more information on other institutions please click here.

If available, you may use the print function from your browser to print the material. This is copyrighted material and any distribution is strictly prohibited. Not all self-study courses have printable material.

No, a textbook is either included or not necessary for the self-study courses.

No, the courses are designed as continuing education courses and may qualify as meeting continuing education requirements for professional certifications and attorney licenses. In addition, the courses may be used in the classroom to supplement formal training. However, the courses are not designed to take the place of formal paralegal training as may be available through a community college or university.

Webinar FAQs

Yes, these courses qualify for mandatory continuing legal education for: National Association of Legal Assistants, State Bar of California, Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana State Paralegal Association. For all others please check with the corresponding institutions.

You will need a computer with a speaker and a high-speed internet connection. If this is your first time taking a webinar through GoToWebinar or you are on a different computer, you should log in early to make sure everything is working for you.

Courses are priced for individual use and consumption and are not intended for rebroadcast and sharing.

To access your webinar and course materials please click on “My Courses” then “Webinar” at nala.education approximately 1 day prior to the webinar. Handouts are also available in GoToWebinar during the presenation.

 

When the webinar is over we will run a report in GoToWebinar to track attendance. Your name and information will show on report if you were logged on and watching the webinar.

Within 1 week of the webinar attendance will be marked and a completion email will be sent stating that your certificate is now available. To view your certificate and transcript please visit nala.education. Click on the blue arrow in the top right and select transcript. From this menu, you can view or print certificates or your transcript.

Please visit GoToWebinar’s System Requirements web page for details on accessing your webinar from a compatible computer or mobile device.

 

On-Demand Webinar FAQs

Yes, these courses qualify for mandatory continuing legal education for: National Association of Legal Assistants, State Bar of California, Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana State Paralegal Association. For all others please check with the corresponding institutions.

After successfully completing this course a completion email will be sent stating that your certificate is now available. To view your certificate and transcript please visit nala.education. Click on the blue arrow in the top right and select transcript. From this menu, you can view or print certificates or your transcript.

Courses are priced for individual use and consumption and are not intended for rebroadcast and sharing.

ACP FAQs

The ACP courses are designed to advance your education by learning specific areas of law, rather than just testing on your current knowledge. An assessment component is part of the curriculum-based program, as well as interactive exercises. The average course is about 20 hours in length and organized into multiple chapters, so you can earn up to 20 hours of CLE for completing an ACP course. These web-based courses are available on a 24/7 basis.

Anyone can take an ACP course, you do not have to be a NALA Certified Paralegal. However, the distinguished ACP credential is only available to current Certified Paralegals. Upon successful completion of the program, a CP can earn the Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) credential and the continuing education hours.

The ACP credential has been awarded to more than 3,500 paralegals since its inception in 2006.

NALA Digital Badges FAQ

No, as long as you meet the requirements for each badge offered you can continue to claim them.

We have partnered with Credly to translate the learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated into a badge. Badges are issued and managed through the Credly Platform. The technology Credly uses is based on the Open Badge Standards maintained by IMS Global. This enables you to manage, share, and verify your competencies digitally.

Your online badge will show the expiration date that is associated with your badge category. For example, if your certification or membership badge expires in June 2021, it will reflect that date automatically on your digital badge. Upon renewal, NALA will update the new dates for your badge. There is no need for a badge earner to update anything themselves.

Representing your skills as a badge gives you a way to share your abilities online in a way that is simple, trusted, and can be easily verified in real time. Badges provide employers and peers concrete evidence of what you had to do to earn your credential and shows how you are capable.

You will receive an email notification from the Credly Platform (admin@credly.com) with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.

You can easily configure your privacy settings in the Credly Platform. You’re in complete control of the information about yourself that is made public.

While badges are simply digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on the Credly Platform. This link to verified data makes them more reliable and secure than a paper-based certificate. It also eliminates the possibility of anyone claiming your credential and your associated identity.

You can share your badge directly from the Credly Platform to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook; over email; and embedded in a website or in your email signature.

Yes, you can download your badge from the Share Badge page. Your downloaded badge contains Open Badge Infrastructure (OBI) compliant metadata embedded into the image. This allows you to store your badge on other OBI-compliant badge sites, such as the Mozilla backpack.

Not at this time

Credly is the end-to-end solution for issuing and managing digital credentials. Credly works with credible organizations to provide digital credentials to individuals, worldwide.

No. This is a service we provide to you, at no cost.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions here: https://support.credly.com/hc/en-us

Refunds & Cancelations

  • Membership dues payments will not be refunded once applied to a member’s account.
  • Duplicate payments will be refunded automatically. Overpayments will be credited to the members account or refunded upon request.
  • NALA memberships are not transferable.
  • Members will be responsible for any additional costs incurred during the processing of payments to NALA. Such costs include, but are not limited to, dishonored checks fees or bank charges due to insufficient charges or accounts having been closed.
  • Conference – See cancelation details in the Conference brochure. Please note that NALA is not responsible for any change/cancelation charges assessed by airlines, travel agents, hotels, or other similar vendors.
  • On-Demand – No cancelations or refunds are provided. If you are not satisfied with the course, a credit will be issued toward another course.
  • Self-Study – No cancelations or refunds are provided. If you are not satisfied with the course, a credit will be issued toward another course.
  • Webinars – No cancelations or refunds are provided after the webinar; however, should a cancelation occur at least 48 hours before the live webinar, NALA will issue a credit to be applied toward a future course. If you are not satisfied with the course, a credit will be issued toward another course.

*Gift certificates cannot be combined with any additional NALA discounts.*

Apparel

Refunds – NALA offers refunds minus our shipping cost for unworn, unwashed, undamaged, or defective merchandise within 30 days of the original purchase accompanied by a receipt and with any original tag(s) attached. You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Exchanges – We have a 30-day exchange policy. The 30 days starts the day the clothing item is delivered to you, based on the USPS tracking. The clothing item must be back to us by the 30th day. Exchanges are accepted for the following reasons:

    1.  We only allow exchanges on items that are new and have not been worn or washed.
    2. Please email us before sending back your clothing item. We will approve your exchange and email you back with specific instructions.
    3. Your exchange will be processed after we receive your clothing item in the mail. The replacement clothing item can take up to a week to ship out.
    4. You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Gifts & Accessories – No refunds or exchanges allowed.

Publication Subscriptions – Subscription fees are non-refundable.

Product Damages or Defects – Damages or defects must be reported immediately. Claims made 30 days or more following invoice date will not be honored. Material/products must be unmarked and in saleable condition.

Textbooks – Individuals have thirty (30) days from the date of purchase to return items in saleable condition. Original and return freight charges are the responsibility of the customer. Freight collect shipments will not be accepted. For your protection, we recommend using a traceable shipping method or insured Parcel Post.