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The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the certification for paralegals.
Although most employers do not require certification, earning voluntary certification from a professional national or local paralegal organization may offer advantages in the labor market. Many national and local paralegal organizations offer voluntary paralegal certifications by requiring students to pass an exam. Other organizations offer voluntary paralegal certifications by meeting certain criteria such as experience and education.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), for example, has established standards for certification that require various combinations of education and experience. Paralegals who meet these standards are eligible to take a 2-day examination. Those who pass the exam may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) credential. NALA certification is for a period of five years and 50 hours of continuing education is required for recertification. According to the NALA, as of September 4, 2009, there were 15,652 Certified Paralegals in the United States. NALA also offers the Advanced Paralegal Certification for experienced paralegals who want to specialize. The Advanced Paralegal Certification program is a curriculum-based program offered on the internet.
The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc., offers the American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP) credential, a voluntary certification program. Paralegals seeking the AACP certification must possess at least 5 years of paralegal experience and meet one of three educational criteria. Certification must be renewed every 2 years, including the completion of 18 hours of continuing education.
In addition, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) offers the Registered Paralegal (RP) designation to paralegals with a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience who pass an exam. To maintain the credential, workers must complete 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) offers the Professional Paralegal (PP) certification to those who pass a four-part exam. Recertification requires 75 hours of continuing education.
Paralegals must be able to document and present their findings and opinions to their supervising attorney. They need to understand legal terminology and have good research and investigative skills. Familiarity with the operation and applications of computers in legal research and litigation support also is important. Paralegals should stay informed of new developments in the laws that affect their area of practice. Participation in continuing legal education seminars allows paralegals to maintain and expand their knowledge of the law. In fact, all paralegals in California must complete 4 hours of mandatory continuing education in either general law or a specialized area of law.
Because paralegals frequently deal with the public, they should be courteous and uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession. The NALA, the NFPA, and a few States have established ethical guidelines for paralegals to follow.
For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.
What else can I help you with?
What jobs can i get with an associate's degree in paralegals?
An associate degree in paralegal studies sets you up for an entry level paralegal job.
Is a college degree required to get a paralegal job?
A college degree is not required to get a paralegal job. A paralegal needs plenty of experience. It's also good for the paralegal to take some courses or classes.
Where can you get a job in North Carolina if you have an associate's degree?
It depends on what you have an associate degree in.
What job can you get with an associate's degree in English?
what job can a person get with an English degree
Information on paralegal degree?
There are a lot of schools offering a paralegal degree. One of them is Everest University. The main job of a paralegal individual is to assist the lawyers in their legal work. It will take you 1 year to get the degree and the tuition fee is 1,255.00 dollars per semester.
What would I need to do to qualify for a paralegal job?
One needs a college or a university degree for a paralegal job. One also needs skills like people skill, listening skill, speaking skill and many more skills for a paralegal job.
Will jobs accept me with only an associate degree?
Yes, you can get a job with only an associate degree. That is not all, you can even get a high paid job if you would search and apply, but you can be locked into a particular job with an associate's degree so you can rethink about getting your bachelors.
What job can you get with a general associate's degree?
With a general associate's degree, one can get a job as an administrative assistant. One can also get a job as a bank teller or customer service representative.
What job can you get with associate's degree in?
This depends entirely on the career field you choose, the associate degree is considered the entry-level degree for most industries.
What entry level job could you obtain with an Associate?
With an Associate's degree, you could obtain entry-level positions such as a medical assistant, dental hygienist, or paralegal. Other options include roles in administrative support, computer support specialist, or sales associate. These positions often provide opportunities for further training and advancement within the field. Additionally, many employers value the practical skills and foundational knowledge that come with an Associate's degree.
What job can you get with an associate's degree in Corrections?
Corrections Officer
Is an associate degree required for an office works job?
An associate degree is helpful, but not always required for an office job. If you have all of the skills necessary, and can prove yourself, you may still be able to get the job.
