One advantage for aspiring paralegals is the flexibility in how they can enter the profession. One of the best ways to do so is to earn credentials from paralegal certification bodies.
Paralegal certifications are awarded to individuals who meet specific educational or experiential requirements and successfully pass an exam. Although certification is not strictly required to work as a paralegal in most jurisdictions, earning one can offer a distinct competitive edge. A certification can:
- validate core legal skills
- boost credibility with employers and courts
- open doors to higher-paying roles
In this post, we will examine the top paralegal certification bodies: NALA, NFPA, and NALS. Our main goal is to help you understand the strength of each certification body and determine which is best suited for your goals.
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What Is a Paralegal Certification Body?
A certification body is basically an independent group that runs the whole certification process. In the legal world, paralegal certification bodies test your legal know-how, practical skills, and how well you understand professional ethics.
It’s important to clarify the difference between certification and a certificate program.
A paralegal may earn both a certificate and a certification, but these are not the same. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they represent different achievements.
- Certificated paralegals have completed formal coursework through an academic institution, such as a university or college, and received a paralegal certificate. This credential reflects successful completion of a legal studies program and equips individuals with the foundational knowledge and practical skills for the field.
- Certified paralegals, on the other hand, have gone a step further. They have been evaluated by a national certification body through a formal examination process that tests their legal knowledge, ethical judgment, and professional competence. Certification is earned only after meeting specific education and/or experience requirements and passing a standardized exam.
Employers and legal institutions tend to view national certification as a strong indicator of quality and preparedness, as it reflects consistency in skill and knowledge across the profession. Plus, certification can help paralegals qualify for higher-paying roles, more specialized positions, or work environments that require verified credentials.
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
NALA has been a key player in the paralegal world for over 40 years, since it was founded back in 1975. What really sets NALA apart from other paralegal groups is its top-notch education and certification programs. Plus, they host lots of conferences all year round to keep members connected and informed.
The NALA paralegal certification is called the Certified Paralegal (CP) Credential.
The CP credential has pretty strict eligibility rules. You need to accomplish either of the following:
- Graduate from an approved paralegal program
- Earn a bachelor’s degree or a high school diploma
Then you’ll also need to meet certain requirements for legal coursework and work experience as a paralegal.
The exam consists of two parts:
- Knowledge Exam tests your understanding of key legal concepts.
- Skills Exam focuses on practical abilities.
Topics covered include:
- Legal research
- Ethics
- Substantive Law
- Communication
- Judgment
- Analytical ability
Exam fees vary.
- Military:
- $240 (NALA members)
- $280 (non-members)
- Student:
- $150 (NALA members)
- $175 (non-members)
- Standard:
- $325 (NALA members)
- $375 (non-members)
Testing windows occur multiple times a year at various testing centers or via remote proctoring. To maintain certification, CPs must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years and adhere to NALA’s code of ethics.
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) is a top organization dedicated to creating a unified certification standard for paralegals nationwide. Passing the NFPA paralegal exam is a smart move for any driven paralegal looking to advance their career.
NFPA offers two paralegal certification programs:
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE)
This one’s for entry-level or early-career paralegals. It shows you’ve got the basics down and helps you stand out. Requirements include:
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree (with or without a paralegal certificate)
- Paralegal certificate from an approved program
- Military paralegal with the right rank
- Work experience ranges from none up to 5 years, depending on your education
- Some require continuing legal education (CLE), mostly ethics hours
Pass it, and you earn the CRP title to use after your name.
Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)
For paralegals with solid experience and education, this exam is tougher but proves you’re top-notch. Passing the PACE paralegal exam gets you the RP designation. Because it’s more advanced, the eligibility rules are stricter.
You need more experience here, anywhere from 2 to 7 years, depending on your education level. No felony convictions or revoked licenses either.
National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS)
NALS, founded in 1929 by Eula Mae Jett, has been a leader in legal support for a long time. Some of the first legal assistants were part of NALS, and today, more than half of its members are legal assistants and paralegals.
There are three NALS paralegal certification programs offered today:
- ALS (Accredited Legal Professional) – entry-level.
- For entry-level candidates with a legal/business course, NALS training, or 1 year of office experience.
- Covers writing, legal procedures, and judgment.
- PLS (Professional Legal Secretary) – mid-level.
- Requires 3 years of legal experience (1 year may be waived with a degree or certification).
- The one-day exam covers writing, office tech, ethics, and legal knowledge.
- PP (Professional Paralegal) – advanced-level.
- 5 years’ experience without a degree
- 4 years with a certificate or other degree
- 3 years with a paralegal degree
- Covers writing, legal skills, ethics, and substantive law. Failed sections can be retaken. Recertification is every 5 years through CLE.
State-Specific Certification and Registration
Aside from the NALA, NFPA, and NALS, there are also so-called state-specific certified paralegal programs. These can be mandatory or voluntary and serve to complement or enhance national credentials.
Some states, like Florida and New Jersey, offer state-specific exams or have associations connected to national groups like NALA.
California is the only state that directly regulates paralegals. Those working independently and offering legal document services must be certified through the California Association of Legal Document Assistants, as required by state law.
Some states make paralegals go through extra paralegal certification requirements and steps like registering, taking more exams, or doing continuing education. Depending on where you work, you might need to be certified or officially registered just to practice, adding more rules to make sure you’re qualified and staying professional.
Comparison Chart: NALA vs NFPA vs NALS
Let’s take a quick look at the differences between the three paralegal credentialing organizations.
| Organization | Entry-Level Exam | Advanced Exam | Experience Required | Recertification | Unique Feature |
| NALA | CP (Certified Paralegal) | Advanced Certified Paralegal (by specialization) | Varies (education + experience) | Every 2 years with CLE | Strong national recognition Two-part exam |
| NFPA | PCCE (CRP™) | PACE (RP®) | PCCE: None-5 yrs PACE: 2-7 yrs | Every 2 years with CLE | Tiered certification for career stages |
| NALS | ALS | PP (Professional Paralegal) | ALS: 0–1 yr PP: 3–5 yrs | Every 5 years with CLE | Covers legal support roles beyond paralegal |
How to Choose the Right Certification Body
There are several types of paralegal certifications, all of which serve different functions. Choosing the right paralegal certification depends on where you’re at in your career. Here are a few tips:
- If you’re just starting, go for beginner options like NFPA’s PCCE or NALS’ ALS.
- If you’ve got experience, NALA’s CP or NFPA’s PACE might be better fits.
- Think about what your employer prefers, how much it costs, and where you plan to work; some states have extra rules.
When choosing a certification, it’s also important to consider different paralegal exam formats, such as online testing or in-person exams, to find what works best for your schedule and learning style.
Importance of Accreditation and Professional Ethics
All major paralegal certification bodies require certified paralegals to follow strict codes of ethics. That means staying professional, honest, competent, and keeping client info confidential. Breaking the rules can lead to losing your certification. This helps employers and courts trust that certified paralegals will do the job right and ethically.
Maintaining Certification
Maintaining credentials requires ongoing professional development. Here are quick facts you need to know:
- Most organizations mandate Continuing Legal Education (CLE) or Continuing Professional Education (CPE).
- NALA requires 12 hours of CLE every two years.
- NFPA and NALS have similar continuing education requirements.
- Certified paralegals report their completed education and renew their credentials periodically.
Numerous resources are available for CLE/CPE, including online webinars, live conferences, professional workshops, and approved courses.
Conclusion
National paralegal certification is a great way to boost your credentials, stand out in the job market, and grow your career. Top certifying bodies like NALA, NFPA, and NALS each offer unique options based on your experience and goals.
Whether you’re new to the field or already working as a paralegal, take time to explore what each group offers, check the requirements, and look over the exam formats. There are plenty of prep tools available, like study guides and online courses, to help you succeed.
