Make yourself stand out as an exceptional paralegal by earning a credential.  Becoming a certified paralegal can, among other benefits:

• elevate your paralegal career, while you learn more about the law;
• improve your resume; and
• validate, for yourself, your employer, and the legal community, that you are an excellent paralegal. 

Click HERE for an explanation of the differences between being a certified paralegal and a certificated paralegal.

How to Earn a Credential:

NFPA offers two credentialing exams:

•  The Paralegal CORE Competency Exam™ (PCCE™) is designed to assess the knowledge, skills and ability of early-career paralegals whose experience as a paralegal may be limited.  Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria before applying to sit for the PCCE™.  Paralegals who have passed the PCCE™ may utilize the CRP™ designation after their name.  The exam has 125 multiple choice questions answered during two and one-half hours.  The exam was developed by legal professionals with assistance from Prometric, which administers the exam.  It is based on federal laws and rules and elements of practice areas that span the U.S.  It also tests core and essential paralegal skills and basic knowledge of legal ethics, legal terminology and technology.

• The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam® (PACE®) is designed for paralegals who have a comprehensive education in paralegal studies and years of practical experience.  Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria before applying to sit for the PACE®.  Earning the RP® designation by passing the PACE® exam shows the legal community that you are one of the best paralegals in the field and demonstrates your conviction to improve your professional career.  The exam has 200 multiple choice questions answered during a four hour testing period.  The exam was developed by legal professionals with assistance from Prometric, which administers the exam.  It is based on federal laws and rules and elements of practice areas that span the U.S.  It also tests a paralegal’s knowledge of legal ethics, legal terminology and technology.

The VPO is committed to supporting your paralegal career, including your goals for certification. 

Feel free to visit the other Certification pages on this site and then either contact the Certification Ambassador or visit NFPA’s website (www.paralegals.org) to get started.  Links to the exam applications, application requirements, study materials, and information about review courses are all available there when you are ready to take that first step toward certification.