What is a certified paralegal?
A certified paralegal is a person who has applied to take and successfully completed an examination administered by one of the national organizations. NALAs exam is the Certified Legal Assistant exam and passing that exam allows the individual to use the CLA or CP (Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal) designation after their name. Once that designation is obtained, a specialized exam can be taken to earn the CLAS (Specialist) designation. NFPAs exam is the PACE exam and passing that exam allows the individual to use the RP (Registered Paralegal) designation. There is much confusion about what a certified paralegal is versus a paralegal who has obtained a certificate in paralegal studies. A certificate in paralegal studies is a certificated paralegal, not certified. For more information on NALA go to www.nala.org For more information on NFPA go to www.paralegals.
A certified paralegal is a person who has applied to take and successfully completed an examination administered by one of the national organizations. NALAs exam is the Certified Legal Assistant exam and passing that exam allows the individual to use the CLA or CP (Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal) designation after their name. Once that designation is obtained, a specialized exam can be taken to earn the CLAS (Specialist) designation. NFPAs exam is the PACE exam and passing that exam allows the individual to use the RP (Registered Paralegal) designation. There is much confusion about what a certified paralegal is versus a paralegal who has obtained a certificate in paralegal studies. A certificate in paralegal studies is a certificated paralegal, not certified.
