Who regulates paralegals in California?
Business and Professions Code 6450, et seq. does not establish a state agency to regulate paralegals. This law dictates the qualifications and functions of paralegals in California, but it falls short of regulation. For instance, the law does not require licensing or certification by a state agency nor does it require registration of paralegals with a state or local government entity. The law does not establish a governing body, mandate competency testing or moral character investigations, and it does not create an ethics code, disciplinary system, or reporting system for paralegals. Penalties for violation and civil liability are the only enforcement mechanisms. However, Business and Professions Code 6450 (d) does mandate continuing education and paralegals should maintain their continuing education certificates in their firm’s personnel file with a duplicate file in their possession. Paralegals should also make sure their credentials are in the organization’s personnel file.
