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NALA News
NALA Certification
Consider certification as a Legal Assistant or Paralegal (CLA or CP) by taking NALA's Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal Examination. This is a 2-day intensive examination of basic skills and legal knowledge. Essential skills testing in communication, legal writing, basic legal research, ethics, general law, judgment and analytical skills in addition to 4 substantive law sections of your choosing from a list that includes Administrative Law, Business Organizations, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Real Estate, Probate & Estate Planning, Criminal Law and Family Law. For more information, read further on this page or visit the NALA website for more details.
CLA/CP Certification Examination 2012 Test Sessions
SAVE $100 on the overall cost of your CP designation by registering for the CFPA TESTING CENTER sponsored by CFPA & ITT Technical Institute! CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.
Beginning in the Fall of 2010, the Certified Paralegal Exam has become a computer-based test. For more information describing the new process, just released by the NALA Certifying Board, please click the link below:
**There are new fees associated with taking the CP Exam at the ACT Testing Centers in addition to the fee from NALA to take the CP Exam.
CP Exam
Computerized
The Certified Paralegal Examination
will transition from a paper-and-pencil test to computer-based testing
in 2010,
according to Karen Trumpower, ACP, NALA Certifying Board Chair.
The
first computer-based CP exam is anticipated for September, she said.
She
was joined by NALA President Linda Wolf, ACP, in praising this
evolution of NALAs definitive professional certification exam for
paralegals.
Our Association has always pushed the
boundaries in advancing educational opportunities and professional
esteem for
paralegals, Ms. Wolf said. Adoption of computer-based testing for the
Certified Paralegal credential emphasizes our dedication to progress in
the 21st
Century that was highlighted in 2006 when we launched the Internet-based
Advanced Paralegal Certification program.
Ms. Trumpower said the Certifying Board
considered the many factors involved in the transition to the new
format, and
will continue to monitor the new process to ensure the best possible
outcomes
for paralegals seeking professional certification.
The new exam format will be available
at all of the NALA testing centers across the nation, greatly expanding
accessibility of the exam to more than 200 locations. Check either the
NALA website or back here for more details as they become available.
SAVE $100
on the overall cost of your CP designation by registering for the
TESTING CENTER sponsored by CFPA and ITT Technical Institute! CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS. Send your QUESTIONS ABOUT TESTING CENTERS to Anne Hughes, ACP, FCP, FRP.
ADVANCED PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION ("ACP")
There are currently 19 advanced paralegal certification programs currently offered which are listed below. The first three began in July 2006:
The Advanced Paralegal Certification Board is considering a wide range of possibilities for other programs. Each program will be designed to reflect the work of paralegals in specific practice areas. The Board will seek input from CLAs and NALA members, review survey data, and other information to determine additional programs.
As of December 15, 2009, more than 1,881
paralegals have earned the Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) credential since the Web-based certification
program was inaugurated in mid-July 2006. Florida continues to lead the way with 348 of the ACP certificates awarded as of last October,
followed by Texas with 338 and California with 105.
By area of specialty, Civil Litigation led in the number of ACP credentials with 501, followed by Discovery with 228, Real Estate with 213, and Contracts
Administration/Contracts Management with 193.
NALA is pleased to announce a special $25 rate for a one-year
subscription to Facts & Findings for members of NALA Affiliated Associations
who are not already individual members of NALA. Because CFPA is a NALA-Affiliated Association, ANY CFPA MEMBER who is not currently a NALA member can take advantage of this offer!
The newest National Utilization and Compensation Survey for Paralegals has been completed. Conducted regularly since 1986, this has become an important source of information for describing the development of the paralegal profession. The results of the 2010 National Utilization & Compensation Survey are now available and posted on the NALA website. This is a terrific picture of the paralegal profession. PARALEGAL UTILIZATION SURVEY RESULTS
Dont forget NALA Campus LIVE! is offering archive programs for purchase . .
Several of the NALA Campus LIVE! programs from past years are available for sale on-line. The recorded-live programs are in MP3 format and the download will include handout material. Costs are $80 for members; $105 for non-members for most programs. Some programs that are offered in several sections may be available as a bundle. Not all programs will be available and some programs will be available for a specific period of time. The web site will include this information.
If you registered and attended a LIVE! session and want a copy of the recording for review, the recording is available to you at a discounted rate. Contact Mariah Williams at mwilliams@nala.org for more information.
NALA Campus - Spring 2012 Schedule
All times noted in CENTRAL time. Links are NOT active. For registration and more details, CLICK HERE.
All times noted in CENTRAL time. Links are NOT active. For registration and more details, CLICK HERE.
All times noted in CENTRAL time. Links are NOT active. For registration and more details, CLICK HERE.
For more information or to register for any of the above seminars, see the NALA website: CLICK HERE
ONLINE REPORTING OF CLE HOURS TO NALA!
This form is only for use by CLAs or CPs
in order to provide evidence of the CLE hours required to maintain the
CLA or CP credential. Do not mail, e-mail, or fax additional
documentation when completing this form on-line. If you print this
form to submit CLE hours to NALA Headquarters by mail, e-mail, or fax, please do
not send supporting documentation -- only send the CLE Reporting form
unless you are sending a special request under Category D or E which
request and supporting documentation must be
submitted in writing to NALA Headquarters. The Certifying Board reserves the right
to adjust CLE submissions in accordance with the current CLE
requirements.
When counting hours for a seminar or workshop,
count only the actual hours of
legal instruction. No credit will be given
for lunch, breaks, registration,
or social periods. To ensure the accuracy of CLE entries, the NALA Certifying Board reserves the right to audit credit submissions
for CLAs or CPs by requesting all backup documentation. If you are
selected for an audit, all backup documentation must be provided to NALA
Headquarters within 60 days of notice of the audit.
A CLA/CP who fails to submit satisfactory
evidence of attendance or completion of a CLE event or course within
sixty (60) days of the date of the audit notice is subject to discipline
as set forth in the Rules for Disciplinary Proceedings published by
NALA. The NALA Certifying Board has the right to refuse to grant CLE
credit for unconfirmed credits.
DOCUMENT RETENTION: A CLA/CP shall
maintain satisfactory evidence of attendance or completion of a CLE
event or course for which credit has not been confirmed for a minimum of
one year from the date of acknowledgment ("Acknowledgment") of the
credit by NALA. Acknowledgment shall be evidenced by NALA posting the
credit as "unconfirmed" on the CLA/CP's CLE record (the "Recap"), which
Recap shall be sent to the CLA/CP.
Click here for a
printable version of the online form.
Click here to exit the CFPA website & go to the NALA page to submit CLE hours online.
Is your firm considering hiring a Paralegal or Legal Assistant with the CLA or CP designation?
Check the status of CLA/CP certification ... Click here
Need to know where you stand with your CLE hours? Request a credit recap to be Emailed to you from the NALA website! http://www.nala.org/cle_recap_request_form.htm
NALA Contact Information
National Association of Legal Assistants
1516 S. Boston, Suite 200 Tulsa, OK 74119 Phone: 918-587-6828 Fax: 918-582-6772