Who and What?
A paralegal can become “certified” or receive “certification” by taking and passing the “CLA/CP” test (Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal), which upon passing this test, the paralegal earns the designation “CLA” or “CP” and can put it after his or her name. The CLA/CP test is administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). In order to become a “licensed” paralegal, one would take the PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam). Upon passing this test, the paralegal earns the designation of “RP” (Registered Paralegal). Please note that in order to take any of these tests, one has to be a practicing paralegal with, depending upon the degree earned or experience, a mini um of two to seven years of substantive experience under the supervision of a member of the Bar, with evidence of a certain amount of MCLE (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education) credits within a certain amount of time before the test date. Check with NFPA www.paralegals.org or NALA www.nala.or
