If you’re looking for a career in the legal field but aren’t quite ready to attend law school, becoming a paralegal is a great way to get started. By assisting attorneys, law firms, corporations, or government entities, paralegals are key players in many aspects of the legal profession, including litigation management, document drafting, case preparation, legal research and writing, and managing client communications, to name only a few.
Becoming a paralegal starts with the right educational foundation. Whether you choose to earn a paralegal certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree will depend on your previous education and your goals as a legal professional. Beyond education, you may choose to become certified by one of several legal associations to bring professional credibility and improved job prospects to your career.
Let’s take a step-by-step look at the process of becoming a practicing paralegal in many states and how to create the best possible start to a rewarding career.
Table of Contents
- Do You Need a Certification To Be a Paralegal?
- Types of Paralegal Certifications
- Steps to Becoming a Certified Paralegal
- The Benefits of Paralegal Certification
- Conclusion: Certification Provides the Best Path to Career Success
Do You Need a Certification To Be a Paralegal?
Unlike lawyers, paralegals are not currently regulated by any federal or state license or certification. While a certification is not required, California demands that paralegals meet certain educational requirements, including having a certificate or degree from an ABA-approved program, or an education/experience combination.
Even though certification isn’t a requirement, it can still offer significant benefits. Earning certification from one of the leading associations can help demonstrate your legal knowledge, make you more competitive in the job market, improve your potential for career growth, and provide opportunities to specialize in a particular legal area.
ABA-Approved Paralegal Programs
When considering any paralegal program, check to see if it’s approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). This is the gold standard for any certificate or degree. An ABA endorsement ensures the program has the highest educational and legal standards and can thus lead to better job prospects. In fact, many certification bodies give preference to candidates who’ve graduated from ABA-approved programs.
Types of Paralegal Certifications
In discussing paralegal certifications, it’s important to distinguish between an educational certificate program and a third party certification. Educational programs, like the certificate, associate, and bachelor’s offered by National University, prepare you with the knowledge and skills to become a practicing paralegal. Third party legal associations such as NALA, NALS, and NFPA provide a testing credential that certifies that your paralegal knowledge and capabilities meet their professional standards.
In order to sit for these tests, applicants are usually required to have completed a certain level of formal paralegal education. Again, passing these tests and gaining certification currently aren’t required to be a practicing paralegal, but they can benefit your career opportunities and advancement.
National University Paralegal Programs (ABA-Approved)
Paralegal Specialist Certificate in Litigation
Curriculum and comprehensive study in legal analysis, legal research, drafting pleadings, motion and discovery documents, evidence, and preparation of cases for trial and appeal.
Paralegal Specialist Certificate in Corporations
Academic and practical education in preparing documents for the formation, management, and dissolution of corporate entities, handling transactional matters, case analysis, and legal research.
Paralegal Specialist Certificate in Criminal Law
An introduction to the body of knowledge and skills required to serve the community effectively and ethically in a criminal law practice.
Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
NU’s Learn to discover and analyze case facts, research the law using the latest legal technology, prepare legal memoranda and persuasive documents, and effectively support attorneys in a wide variety of legal practices. Learn more about The Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies.
Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Acquire the knowledge and requisite skills for proficiency in understanding legal terminology, identifying legal issues, applying basic legal analysis, conducting legal research utilizing the latest technology, and effectively communicate with and support clients and attorneys in legal matters. Learn more about The Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies.
Third Party Paralegal Certifications
Certified Paralegal (CP) by NALA
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is one of the largest paralegal organizations in the U.S. It works to ensure that paralegals are recognized and valued as an important part of the legal system by providing certification credential programs, continuing education and development, and professional networking opportunities. NALA’s credential exam is a professional standard for paralegals and is acknowledged by the ABA as a mark of excellence throughout the legal field.
Professional Paralegal (PP) by NALS
The National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS) is a nonprofit organization that provides education, certification, and networking opportunities for legal professionals to enhance their skills and advance in the legal field. Its certification exam is designed to establish a nationwide credential as a professional paralegal.
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE) by NFPA
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) is a professional organization that promotes the advancement of paralegals through advocacy, education, and the development of standards for the profession. Its exam is designed to assess overall competency as an entry-level or early-career paralegal.
Steps to Becoming a Certified Paralegal
Step 1: Complete Educational Requirements
Earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, or pursue a paralegal certificate if you already hold a degree in another field. Whichever route you choose, select an ABA-approved paralegal program to maximize your credibility within the legal field and improve your career prospects.
Step 2: Choose a Certification Program
Research the three paralegal certification exam options (NALA, NALS, and NFPA), and select the one that aligns best with your education, legal experience, and career goals. Be sure to consider such factors as exam difficulty, industry recognition, and long-term employment and advancement.
Step 3: Prepare for the Certification Exam
Study the key areas covered in the certification exam, such as legal research, ethics, substantive law, and procedural law. The various paralegal certification bodies offer study guides, review materials, practice exams, and other resources to aid with exam preparation.
Step 4: Take the Certification Exam
Complete the application or registration process, pay the exam fee, and take your chosen paralegal certification exam. Exams are typically administered at testing centers or online.
Step 5: Maintain Your Certification
The law isn’t just what’s written in a book, it’s an ever-evolving system with new decisions being made every day. New technology is also constantly affecting the law. For these reasons, most paralegal certifications require continuing education credits (CLE) to maintain the certification. Courses, seminars, and webinars are available to stay current on ethics updates, legal developments, procedural changes, and more.
Benefits of Paralegal Certification
Better Job Prospects
Certification can be a key to success, respect, and opportunities throughout the legal profession. Certified paralegals are typically more competitive in the job market and often have better prospects for career and educational advancement.
Higher Salary Potential
Paralegals with certification generally earn higher salaries when compared to their non-certified peers, reflecting the official endorsement of the legal community regarding their knowledge, skills, expertise, and credibility. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for paralegals is nearly $61,000.)
Professional Credibility
Obtaining a paralegal certification demonstrates a long-term commitment to the profession and ensures you meet the national standards, proficiencies, procedures, and ethics of legal practice and precedent.
Conclusion
Establishing the right foundation as a paralegal will make your entire legal career go smoother. Beginning with these simple steps to education and certification will prepare you for rewarding employment opportunities and a solid industry endorsement that should pay many long-term dividends.
Ready to get started? Choose an NU course of study that works best for your goals and begin your path to paralegal success today!
- The Paralegal Specialist Certificate
- The Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
- The Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Choose the course of study that works best for your goals and begin your path to career success!
This content has been reviewed and approved by the National University Editorial Advisory Board. Learn more about our editorial process.