NALA CP/ACP Exam Information
Established in 1976, the Certified Paralegal ("CP") examination program is a voluntary professional credentialing program developed by NALA-The Paralegal Association and administered by the Certifying Board, a board composed of paralegals, members of the American Bar Association and members of the field of education active in paralegal training. NALA developed the CP credential to recognize paralegals who have demonstrated entry-level knowledge and skill to provide competent assistance in the delivery of legal services for lawyers, law offices, corporations, or governmental agencies in the United States. The CP credential is a prestigious indicator to clients, potential clients, employers, and the public at large that the paralegal professional has proficiency in the legal services field. There are nearly 21,000 (active and inactive) Certified Paralegals and more than 5,500 Advanced Certified Paralegals in the United States. More than 36000 paralegals have participated in this program.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the NALA Certified Paralegal Program since 2014 for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing excellence. The NCCA Standards were created to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry.
The Certified Paralegal Exam consists of two required sections, taken in the following order: the Knowledge Exam, then the Skills Exam. The Knowledge Exam section of the examination consists of 120 questions on the United States Legal System, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Corporate/Commercial Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Estate Planning and Probate, Real Estate and Property, Torts, Professional and Ethical Responsibility, and Debtor/Creditor and Bankruptcy. Candidates must successfully complete the Knowledge Exam in order to be eligible to take the Skills Exam. The Skills Exam consists of a written assignment covering legal writing and critical thinking. After passing both exams, evidence of continuing legal education must be submitted periodically in order to maintain certified status.
The National Association of Legal Assistants, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a national, non-profit association which represents thousands of paralegals through individual members and 85 affiliated state and local associations. It is the leader in the growth and development of the paralegal profession, providing continuing education, professional development, and certification programs for the career field.
Please visit the NALA website for more information about the CP exam here:
The Advanced Certified Paralegal examinations are curriculum-based certification. An assessment component is part of the curriculum-based program. Participants are required to demonstrate mastery of the course material throughout the process. Both the educational and assessment components are on-line. There are many different subjects to choose from.
For more information about the different options and course models please visit the NALA website here:
Information describing this and other programs of the National Association of Legal Assistants may be obtained by contacting:
NALA Headquarters
6450 S. Lewis Avenue, Suite 250
Tulsa, OK 74136
918-587-6828
FAX: 918-582-6772
https://nala.org
Please visit the Scholarships/Awards page to find out more about NePA's continuing education scholarships including the NePA Certified Paralegal Scholarship and the NePA Advanced Certified Paralegal Scholarship opportunities.
