Getting Your Paralegal Certification Online
While the terms may sound similar, earning your paralegal certificate is different from being granted paralegal certification. Both online programs and traditional classroom training will lead to the certificate or degree you need to build a paralegal career. Then, your education and experience help qualify you for professional certification, which can lead to a wider range of employment opportunities.
Paralegal Certificate
Paralegal schools grant certificates to students who successfully complete their paralegal studies programs. Different paralegal schools have unique enrollment requirements. In general, however, schools design their paralegal certificate programs for students who already hold an associate's or bachelor's degree.
The market where you plan to work will play a role in determining whether you pursue your paralegal certificate. Employers in your area may require a bachelor's degree with a paralegal certificate, or you may work in a market where an associate's degree in paralegal studies is the standard. Reviewing a wide selection of paralegal job ads or calling employers can help you determine what your market demands and the credentials you will need to compete.
Paralegal Certification
Paralegals become certified through professional organizations that set eligibility requirements based on standards of education and practice. To qualify for paralegal certification, you must have a specified number of years of work experience, meet educational requirements, and, in most cases, pass a certification exam.
In many paralegal job markets across the U.S., paralegal certification is voluntarily; however, it's still a good idea to pursue certification, since employers in your market may require it even if your state has no mandate. When you're evaluating your paralegal training options, do your research about certification standards in your area. You'll want to know the expectations of local employers and what the requirements for certification are in order to make the best choice about which paralegal program to pursue.
There are several different organizations that offer certification. You can learn the details about specific requirements for paralegal certification online at each organization's website. Below you will find a summary for your reference.
- National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA): This organization grants the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) to those who meet education and experience requirements and pass their certification exam. You can also earn advanced paralegal certification through NALA if you work in specific areas of legal practice, including contracts management, discovery and social security disability.
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA): The NFPA designates those who pass its certification exam and meet educational and experience criteria as Registered Paralegals (RP). To maintain your RP, you must complete a required number of hours of continuing education every two years.
- American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI): If you meet certain educational requirements and have worked as a paralegal for at least five years, you can apply for the American Alliance Certification Program (AACP). Candidates for the AACP do not need to take a certification exam. Renewing this certification every two years requires you to meet continuing education requirements.
- National Association for Legal Professionals (NALP): Paralegals with five years of work experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and education, can sit for NALP's certification exam. Those who pass the exam earn the designation Professional Paralegal (PP), which they can renew every five years by accumulating continuing education hours.
Understanding what distinguishes a paralegal certificate from paralegal certification will help you make an informed choice about enrolling in a paralegal program and the path you outline for your career. Research your market, and think about where you want to take your career before you select a paralegal school. This will help you find a training program that suits your long-term professional goals.
