Certification Overview

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Why Become a NALA CP?

Why become a NALA Certified Paralegal?

Established in 1976, the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential is key to respect and opportunity throughout the legal profession. Becoming a NALA Certified Paralegal means you have successfully passed a rigorous examination of the knowledge necessary to be an effective paralegal. Earning this credential is a proud achievement that comes with a career-long commitment.

The Certified Paralegal® program establishes and serves as a:

The national professional standard for paralegals
Means of identifying those who have reached this standard.
Credentialing program responsive to the needs of paralegals and responsive to the fact that this form of self-regulation is necessary to strengthen and expand the development of this career field.
A positive, ongoing, voluntary program to encourage the growth of the paralegal profession, attesting to and encouraging a high level of achievement.

Why Choose NALA?

NALA is the only National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited paralegal certification program. NALA’s Certified Paralegal program has been recognized both nationally and internationally for over 40 years! Our CP credential has been acknowledged by the American Bar Association as a mark of high professional achievement, and more than 47 other paralegal organizations and numerous bar associations also acknowledge the credential as the paralegal standard. We provide a professional experience while still being personable with our certificants. From the application process to maintaining the certification, NALA is affordable for paralegals.

On April 30, 2014, the NCCA granted accreditation to the NALA Certified Paralegal program. The NALA Certified Paralegal program joins an elite group of more than 120 organizations that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. Accreditation of the NALA Certification Program

NALA Certifying Board for Paralegals

Mission Statement

The NALA Certifying Board is committed to setting, improving, and evolving the professional certification standards by which paralegals demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and integrity.

The NALA Certifying Board for Paralegals is responsible for content, standards and administration of the CP Certified Paralegal® Program. It is composed of paralegals who have received an Advanced Paralegal Certification designation, attorneys and paralegal educators.

In the technical areas of statistical analyses, examination construction, reliability and validity tests, the Board contracts with a professional consulting firm offering expertise in these areas as well as in occupational research. Technical analyses of the Certified Paralegal examination are conducted on an ongoing basis to ensure the integrity of the examination. Content analyses of the test design, accuracy of questions, and topic/subject mix for each exam section are ongoing processes of the Certifying Board. The Board also utilizes the occupational data available through surveys of paralegals and other means, including a review of textbooks and research within the field of paralegal education. Through these analyses and procedures, the Board is assured that the examination reflects and responds to work-place realities and demands.

Learn more about the NALA Certifying Board

Distribution of NALA Certified Paralegals across the United States
Distribution of NALA Advanced Certified Paralegals across the United States

For information concerning standards of professional credentialing programs, you may want to see the article: The Certified Legal Assistant Program and the United States Supreme Court Decision in Peel v. Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee of Illinois.

CP FAQs

NALA Certification vs. Certificate
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.

How do I apply?
Once eligibility is determined candidates can apply online or submit a paper application via mail, e-mail, or fax.

What is the application process?
A candidate must submit the CP application, fee, and supporting documentation via online, e-mail, fax, or mail. If the application is approved, you will be notified via e-mail within 24-48 hours with instructions to schedule your exam. If your application is not approved, you will be notified via e-mail requesting additional information to complete your application.

What should I study for the exam?
The CP exam is a comprehensive assessment based on federal law and procedure. You can find the description of the exam sections and suggested study material located under the Examinees section of the Certification page on our website.

What happens if I don't pass?
Candidates who do not pass the Knowledge or Skills Exam must wait 90 days after the attempt before applying for the next attempt. Candidates must purchase another attempt for the Knowledge or Skills Exam by submitting a Retake Application with a $60 fee.

Paralegal or Legal Assistant?
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."

Do my annual NALA Membership dues cover the Certification renewal dues as well?
No, membership dues and certification dues are separate and must be paid individually.

CP Program

The NALA Certified Paralegal exam format consists of two sections, Knowledge and Skills. The Knowledge Exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and the Skills Exam is an essay. Successful completion of both exam sections is required to obtain the CP credential. In order to apply for the CP program, a paralegal must first be eligible. Once an applicant has been approved they will then proceed with taking the CP Exam.

To determine if you are eligible to take the CP exam, please select the category that best applies to you:

Learn more about CP Examinee Eligibility.

EXAM FORMAT

The Certified Paralegal examination is a comprehensive assessment based on federal law and procedures. Successful completion of both the Knowledge and Skills Exams are required to obtain the Certified Paralegal credential. There are two sections of the examination as described below:

KNOWLEDGE EXAM
- Multiple-choice questions
- Administered on-demand, year-round
- Must successfully pass in order to be eligible to take the Skills Exam
SKILLS EXAM
- Written assignment (essay), submitted electronically
- Administered during four testing windows: February, April, July, October

EXAM FEES

Payment will be accepted by check, money order, credit card (Master Card, VISA, Discover, or American Express).

First Time Examinee Fees (fees cover one Knowledge Exam and one Skills Exam)

$250 - Members
$275 - Non-members
$125 - Paralegal Student Member Rate
$150 - Paralegal Student Non-member Rate

Retake Examinees:

$60 - For each subsequent attempt for either Knowledge or Skills Exams

Withdrawal, Incomplete, or Rejected Applications
If an applicant must withdraw the application, a $75 cancellation fee is required. If the application is incomplete or rejected, the application will be denied and a $75 processing fee is required.

View the CP Program Candidate Handbook for a complete description of the program.

Note: Please be aware that certification is voluntary, and not imposed by the government. It is time-limited, which means that those who choose certification must fulfill ongoing educational requirements to keep the certification.

For Employers

For Legal Professionals

The success of an office requires the right people. NALA Certified Paralegals are capable of providing superior services to firms and corporations.

Hiring
By hiring NALA Certified Paralegals, employers can have peace of mind knowing their paralegals have passed a demanding examination of the knowledge and skills needed to provide excellent paralegal services. Attorneys can utilize NALA’s certification as a credible, dependable way to measure a paralegal’s ability and to enhance the marketability, productivity, and profitability of their businesses.

If you need to verify that a potential job candidate is a CP, please check our Certifed Paralegal Directory.

Please view the NALA Utilization and Compensation Report Summary of Findings to learn more about the paralegal profession.

Certified Paralegal Commitment
The Certified Paralegal credential is key to respect and opportunity throughout the legal profession. Earning this credential is a proud achievement, and maintaining the right to use it is a career-long commitment. Certification must be maintained through continuing education relevant to the demands of the paralegal career. The CP credential is valid for a period of five (5) years.

What Will It Cost Me?
All documentation required to complete the Certified Paralegal examination application form must be submitted at the time of filing the application. Documentation includes official school transcripts, attorney attestations, and payment. Incomplete applications are subject to rejection. Continuous education is required in order to maintain the CP credential and is not included in the exam fee. Paralegals who want to become NALA Members will receive discounts on continuing education programs.

First Time Examinee Fees:

$250 - Members
$275 - Non-members

The Paralegal student fee is for paralegal students currently in the last semester or quarter of a Paralegal program and who do not currently qualify under category 1, 2, or 3. The student application, fee, and supporting documentation must be mailed, emailed (testing@nala.org), or faxed (918-582-6772) to us.

$125 - Paralegal Student Member Rate
$150 - Paralegal Student Non-member Rate

Retake Examinees:

$60 - For each subsequent attempt for either Knowledge or Skills Exams

Informational Links

CP Program Handbook
CP Certification Stats
Certified Paralegal Directory
Exam Specifications
Study Materials
Practice Skills Exams
CP Exam FAQs
Job Analysis Report
APPLICATIONS & FORMS:
- Online Application
  - If you are a qualifying student applicant, do not submit this online application with the $250/$275 fee.
    - Student applicants are required to submit the 2021 Student Waiver and the Program Director’s signature (page 4) to testing@nala.org before submitting an application. After your eligibility is verified, the online student application will be accessible for you to purchase at the student applicant rate.
- PDF Application
  - Student applicants are required to submit the 2021 Student Waiver and the Program Director’s signature (page 4) with the PDF application to testing@nala.org. After your eligibility is verified, we will process your application at the student applicant rate.
- ADA Form (Must be submitted with the application if accommodations are required.)
- Online Retake Application
- PDF Retake Application
- Appeal Form and Policy