Paralegal Certification in California

There is a common misconception that paralegal certification California is mandatory to work as a legal assistant. This is not the case. The Business and Professions Code defines what the titles of legal assistant or paralegal mean.

It also sets out the expected educational achievements someone working in this position should have and the ongoing further education requirements that they should be committed to. But it falls short of making certification mandatory.

Instead the State of California leaves it to the supervising attorney to decide whether their paralegals meet the requirements for the job.

What paralegal certification, Certified Paralegal or Registered Paralegal, is preferred?

When it comes to paralegal certification California based attorneys tend to prefer the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) qualification. On completion of this NALA certification, a legal assistant can use the designation CLA or CP (certified paralegal) if they prefer. (Just as attorney and lawyer are synonymous terms so are paralegal and legal assistant).

What is the process to obtain California Paralegal Certification?

The process to obtain California paralegal certification is very similar to other states. You can study for your paralegal certificate or associates degree via an ABA approved course before then progressing to sit the CLA certification exams. As mentioned above the trend in California is for attorneys to prefer the CLA certification over the Registered Paralegal certification offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. You cannot claim these designations if you have completed an ABA paralegal certification program without also sitting the NALA exams which take two days.

To take the CLA exam you must pay the National Association of Legal Assistants a registration fee and meet their specific education and law experience requirements. Once you have passed your certified legal assistant exams you can take advanced level qualifications if you want to specialize in a specific area of law.

Should I take the Advanced California Paralegal Specialization Exam?

If you are serious about your career and intend working in the State of California you should look into taking the California Advanced Specialist exam. You are eligible to enter for the CAS once you have achieved your Certified Legal Assistant certification.

The Commission for Advanced California Paralegal specialization has worked very closely with the National Association of Legal assistants when developing these qualifications. For example if you are interested in taking the NALA advanced level Discovery program you can elect to sit the California Advanced Specialist (CAS) program in California Discovery. The two courses complement each other with the latter highlighting the differences in California law compared to the Federal laws covered by the NALA APC Discovery syllabus.

How can you meet the ongoing education requirements imposed by the State of California?

Part of the California Paralegal certification requirements is that you continue your education even after you have achieved your CLA and CAS certifications. Most of the larger law firms in California have set up systems to monitor their paralegals current level of qualifications and the amount of continuing education credits they achieve. It is a serious business as the State of California has made it very clear that they will prosecute those supervising attorneys who fail to ensure that their legal assistants are complying with these education requirements.

One way to make sure that you maintain the level of study required is to join a forum dedicated to California paralegals such the Bayarealegalforum.org. Not only will you have the ability to interact with other paralegal professionals but you will also be able to attend four educational workshops every year.

The BALF suggest that you also join a local chapter of Legal Secretaries Incorporated (LSI) which is a non profit organization also committed to improving the education and perception of the paralegal career in California. Remember that is pays to meet other people in your chosen career as networking with like minded professionals is an excellent way to find new job opportunities in addition to helping you meet your career progression goals.