Legal Studies Certification

While most employers do not require certification, legal assistants and paralegals may wish to pursue certification from a industry organization in order to enhance employment and promotional opportunities. Most certifications require an initial exam and some continuing education credits in the legal field in order to renew/maintain the credential (these credits can be earned by attending various seminars, workshops, or course work in the field). Most also require a minimum amount of experience in order to qualify for candidacy.

Graduates of the Herzing University Associate in Legal Studies or Associate in Legal Assisting/Paralegal degrees will have met the educational requirement for the following certification opportunities:

• National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA): Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) and Certified Paralegal (CP) – This exam is given over a two day period and requires comprehensive knowledge of federal law and procedure.
• American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.: American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) – To be eligible, candidates must have five years of experience in the profession. No exam is required, but continuing legal education requirements must be met in order to maintain the credential.
• National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS): Professional Paralegal (PP) – This is a one-day, four-part exam that requires five years of experience performing paralegal/legal assisting duties. A one- or two-year partial waiver for this experience is available for candidates with a degree.
• National Federation of Paralegal Association (NFPA): PACE Registered Paralegal (RP) – Candidates must possess two years of experience in the field in order to sit for this exam. This credential requires continuing legal education credits in order to maintain the certification.