CLA Exam

If you choose to seek certification as a paralegal from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), you may become a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA), otherwise known as a Certified Paralegal (CP). Upon certification, you may choose to use whichever designation you wish, they are the same. In order to meet the requirements, you must complete the NALA's minimum course requirements and pass the CLA exam.

NALA's CLA program was established in 1976. Well over 12,000 paralegals (since July 2005) have earned the use of this designation. It is recognized throughout the U.S. as a means of identifying competent paralegals.

To be eligible for the CLA examination, the individual must meet one of the following requirements.

1. Graduation from a legal assistant program

The program must be....

-Approved by American Bar Association; or
-Associate degree program; or
-Bachelor's degree program in legal assistant studies; or
-Post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies; or
-legal assistant program consisting of at least 60 semester hours (900 clock hours) where at least 15 semester hours (225 clock hours) are substantive legal courses.

2. Bachelor's degree in any field plus one year's experience as a legal assistant. 15 semester hours of substantive legal assistant courses is considered equal to one year's experience as a legal assistant.

3. High school diploma or equivalent plus 7 year's experience as legal assistant (must be supervised by member of the Bar), plus 20 hours of continuing legal education credit completed within a 2 year period prior to the examination date.

The CLA exam is a 2-day exam covering federal law and procedure. It contains over 1,000 questions. It is usually offered 4 times a year at most major cities.

You must pass 5 sections to pass (40% do so on the first sitting).

The CLA recertification frequency is every 5 years and you must take CLE credits to stay in good standing.