FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CERTIFIED LEGAL ASSISTANT’S EXAM OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS (“NALA”). FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON NALA’S WEBSITE:
I. Eligibility. NVCC students will be eligible to take the exam if:
A. They have graduated (or are about to graduate) from the program;
B. They have earned a bachelor’s degree and have successfully completed 5 legal assisting courses (15 semester hours); or
C. They have a high school degree, 7 years of experience working as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the bar, and have completed 7 legal assisting courses (20 semester hours)
II. The exam is a two day comprehensive exam. It always covers:
Communications
Ethics
Legal Research
Human Relations and Interviewing Techniques
Judgment and Analytical Ability
Legal Terminology, and
The American Legal System
The NVCC subjects recommended for competence in the areas
listed above are LGL 110 (Intro to Law), LGL 125 (Legal
Research, and LGL 126 (Legal Writing).
Examinees also choose to be tested on 4 of the following areas.
NVCC courses corresponding to these areas are indicated.
Administrative Law – No NVCC Course
Bankruptcy Law – No NVCC Course
Business Organizations and Corporations – LGL 235
Contracts - LGL 230
Family Law – LGL 117
Criminal Law – LGL 218
Litigation – LGL 217
Probate and Estate Planning – LGL 225
Real Estate - LGL 115
III. Those who pass the exam acquire the credential “C.L.A.” (certified legal assistant). Certification is good for 5 years, and can be renewed by participation in 50 hours of continuing legal education seminars within that five year period.
IV. The CLA Exam is offered three times a year, at testing centers throughout the United States. NVCC is an approved testing center, which means the Exam can be offered on campus if there is sufficient demand. Registration deadline follow:
Jan. 15, 2003 – for the March 21 and 22 Exam
May 15, 2003 – for the July 18 and 19 Exam
October 1, 2003 – for the December 5 and 6 Exam
V. Current exam fees are $225 with NALA membership or $250 without membership. Retake fees are $50 for each section of the exam which was not passed the first time.
VI. NALA published a review manual for the exam (“The CLA
Review Manual”) which is available on NALA’s website and in the campus bookstore. NALA also publishes a “CLA Study Guide and Mock Examination.” NVCC graduates who have taken and passed the exam have reported that their class notes were helpful as study guides.