How to Become a Certified Paralegal through NALA
By Clara L. Buckland, CP
First, I commend you for your desire to accomplish this feat. I write this not because it is impossible, but
because it is something we decide to undertake voluntarily. As you may know, being certified is not a requirement for
working as a paralegal, but the paralegal profession as a whole, however, has been working diligently toward higher
standards and self-regulation. Becoming certified represents that you have taken the extra step to assure you are
qualified to assist your supervising attorney in offering quality legal services. Is that not, after all, what a good
paralegal should be—an indispensable part of the legal team?
Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal
There are many ideas about what being “certified” means. You can be certified by the Texas Board of Legal
Specialization (“TBLS”), in a specific area of law, or you can be certified by the National Association of Legal
Assistants (“NALA”). Taking a six-week college course on paralegal studies earns you a certificate of completion. The
certificate, however, does not make you “certified;” it makes you “certificated.” For the purpose of this article,
the term “certified” means being a NALA Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (“CLA/CP”). Further, because it
is the preferred term, and to make it an easier read, I will use the term paralegal throughout the remainder of this
article.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”)
NALA is a leading professional association for paralegals, created in 1975 to improve the quality and
effectiveness of the delivery of legal services. NALA provides continuing legal education and professional
development programs for paralegals. At last count, NALA is 18,000 members strong. Membership consists of local
affiliated associations, individual, and state members nationwide.
The CLA program was established in 1976. It has allowed the profession a self-regulatory program and a
credential recognized nationwide. The CLA/CP program establishes and serves as a national professional standard for
paralegals and further expands on the development of this career field.
National surveys show Certified Paralegals are better paid, and better utilized by attorneys who are looking
for a credible, dependable way to measure a paralegal’s ability. Further, the CLA/CP credential is recognized not
only by the American Bar Association as a designation of a marked high level of professional achievement, but by more
than 47 paralegal organizations and numerous bar associations nationwide.
Examination Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to sit for the CLA/CP examination, a paralegal applicant must meet one of the following alternate
requirements:
Graduation from a legal assistant program that is:
- Approved by the ABA; or
- An associate program; or
- A post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies; or
- A bachelor’s degree program in paralegal studies, or
- A paralegal program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours, of which 22.5 quarter hours are substantive
legal courses.
- A bachelor’s degree in any field plus one year’s experience as a paralegal. Successful completion of at least 15
semester hours of substantive paralegal courses will be considered equivalent to one year’s experience as a
paralegal.
- A high school diploma or equivalent plus seven (7) years’ experience as a paralegal under the supervision of an
attorney, plus evidence of a minimum of twenty hours of CLE credit to have been completed within a two year period
prior to the examination date.
The Examination
The CLA/CP examination is a two-day comprehensive examination based on federal law and procedure. The major
subject areas required are:
- Communications,
- Ethics,
- Legal Research,
- (*) Human Relations and Interviewing Techniques,
- Judgment and Analytical Ability,
- (*) Legal Terminology, and,
- The Substantive section which consists of five mini examinations covering the American Legal System, and four
areas of law selected by the examinee from the following:
- Administrative Law,
- Bankruptcy,
- Business Organizations/Corporations,
- Contracts,
- Family Law,
- Criminal Law and Procedure,
- Litigation,
- Probate and Estate Planning, and Real Estate.
(*) Note: the questions covering Human Relations and Interviewing Techniques, and Legal Terminology are included
in the Communications and Substantive Law Sections, respectively.
When and Where the Exam is Offered
The CLA/CP exam is offered three times a year (spring, summer and winter), specifically, March/April, depending on
the holiday schedule, July, and December. The application form and fees must be received by the published filing
deadline which is January 15 for the spring test, May 15 for summer, and October 1 for winter.
Many schools, universities and junior colleges serve as testing centers through an arrangement with NALA. In
cities where a testing center is not already established and 10 or more paralegals apply to test during one of the
scheduled test dates, NALA will establish a testing center.
In order to pass, a paralegal must successfully complete all five sections of the examination.
Fees
The fee for the CLA/CP examination is $250 for NALA members and $275 for nonmembers. Retake fees are $60 per
section.
Maintaining Professional Certification
The CLA/CP credential is awarded for a five-year period. To maintain valid certification status, a paralegal must
submit proof of participation in a minimum of 50 hours of CLE programs every five years, which must include five
hours on the subject of legal ethics. A completed Recertification Audit Verification, plus a fee of $70 is required
at the time of recertification.
For More Information on NALA and the CLA/CP Examination
You can obtain detailed information on NALA, the exam, test subjects, study materials, and download forms at
www.nala.org. Additionally, employers can confirm if a paralegal is a NALA CLA/CP at http://www.nala.org/CertSearch/CertSearch1.htm.
On a Personal Note
The Communications section of the exam was not difficult for me; however, through my communications with other
paralegals who have taken the exam, I understand it is one of the toughest sections of the exam. I encourage you to
go back to the basic rules of writing. A study tool to consider is The Elements of Style, Strunk & White.
Personally, the toughest section of the exam was Judgment and Analytical Ability. If you know a newly licensed
attorney, I strongly suggest that you ask if he/she is willing to sell or allow you to borrow the Multistate
Performance Test Workbook barbri Bar Review. This volume of the barbri offers practice exercises on fact gathering,
problem solving, legal analysis and reasoning. This was the tool that turned on the light in my head. Before doing
these exercises, I just did not see what I was doing wrong.
In closing, again, I want to congratulate you on your goal and to wish you much success in this and all other
endeavors you undertake.
“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word —excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy
it.” —Pearl Buck
Clara Buckland, CP, District 16 Director and Secretary of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas, is
with the El Paso firm of Kemp Smith, LLP. She is a certified paralegal by the National Association of Legal
Assistants.
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