Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam
As a
result of the ever-expanding rules and responsibilities of the
paralegal, the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam ("PACE") was designed
as an extensive exam to test paralegals' knowledge and competency. In
order to take PACE, a paralegal must meet certain educational criteria
and have a minimum of two years work experience. In addition, a
paralegal must complete certain CLE requirements in order to maintain
the "PACE Registered Paralegal" or "RP" designation. It represents an
exciting opportunity for all paralegals to advance the profession and
establish recognizable credentials for paralegals nationwide.
The PACE
Registered Paralegal credential may give law firms distinct advantages.
Firms may be able to justify fee recovery for court cases more easily,
as well as increase billing rates. The professional designation also
distinguishes the paralegal's role from that of the support staff.
The full
examination fee is $225.00. The cost of the Study Manual, which is
necessary to prepare for the exam, is $55.00. For more information
visit www.paralegals.org.
Certified Legal
Assistant / Certified Paralegal
Established in
in 1976, the CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) program has enabled the
profession to develop a strong and responsive self-regulatory program
offering a nationwide credential for legal assistants.
The CLA
examination is a two-day comprehensive examination based on federal law
and procedure. In order to pass, a legal assistant must successfully
complete all five sections of the CLA examination. Use of the CLA
credential signifies that a legal assistant is capable of providing
superior services to firms and corporations. National surveys
consistently show Certified Legal Assistants are better paid and better
utilized in a field where attorneys are looking for a credible,
dependable way to measure ability. The credential has been recognized by
the American Bar Association as a designation which marks a high level
of professional achievement.
The fee
for the CLA examination is $225 for NALA members and $250 for
non-members of NALA. CLA Specialty examination fees are $100 for NALA
members and $125 for non-members. For more information visit
www.nala.org.
American Alliance Certified Paralegal
The
American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc., (“American Alliance”) established
a voluntary program for the certification of paralegals. Every
paralegal seeking American Alliance certification must possess no less
than five (5) years of substantive paralegal experience and meet one (1)
of the following three (3) educational criteria: (a) A Bachelor or
advanced Degree in any discipline from an accredited institution; or (b)
an Associate Degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved paralegal
program or a program in substantial compliance with ABA guidelines; or
(c) a Certificate from an ABA approved paralegal program or a program in
substantial compliance with ABA guidelines.
The fee
for this certification is $75. For more information visit
www.aapipara.org.
Ohio State Bar Association Certified Paralegal
