Although no state currently requires paralegals to be licensed or certified, increasing numbers of paralegals are opting to become certified by taking a professional exam. At present, two separate certification exams are offered by each of two different national professional paralegal groups: the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). The only way to become certified is to take and pass one of these two exams.
NALA's certification exam (known as the "Certified Paralegal" or "CP" Exam) can be taken by persons who have completed a qualifying course of paralegal education. No practical experience is required to take this exam. All graduates of NVCC's paralegal studies program are immediately eligible to take the NALA certification exam. In addition, students who have already earned bachelors degrees (from any accredited college or university, and in any major field of study) can become eligible to take NALA's certification exam by successfully completing 15 semester hours of paralegal studies ( 5 NVCC courses). Those who pass the NALA certification exam are entitled to use the credential "CP," which stands for "certified paralegal." For more information on NALA certification requirements, please contact NALA at www.nala.org.
NFPA requires those who take its exam (known as the "Paralegal Advanced Competency," or "PACE" exam) to have completed both a qualifying course of paralegal education and a period of working experience as a paralegal. Students who graduate from NVCC's program can sit for the PACE exam after accumulating six years of work experience. Students who complete NVCC's program and who have also earned a bachelor's degree can sit for the PACE exam after accumulating two years of work experience. Those who pass the PACE exam are entitled to use the credential "RP," which stands for "registered paralegal." For more information on NFPA's certification requirements, please contact NFPA at www.paralegals.org.