Setting the Standard for Paralegal Excellence in Central Florida since 1983
Paralegal Certification
Certified Paralegal ("CP" & "ACP") through NALA
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) has been certifying legal assistants (now considered Paralegals) for over 30 years. Successful completion of this national certification examination entitles the paralegal to include the designation of Certified Paralegal ("CP") after his/her name to distinguish them as obtaining the nationally-recognized standard in paralegal competence. In 2006, their certification program expanded to include specialized advanced courses (ACP) for paralegals who are already certified. In 2010, the certification examination went online. An updated study manual is set to be published in October, 2010. For more information including test dates, testing centers, and details about becoming a Certified Paralegal, see our NALA NEWS page.
CFPA is an affiliated association of NALA and as such, supports the NALA Annual Meeting and has a member of the CFPA Executive Committee recognized as NALA Liaison who attends each NALA Annual Meeting as a representative of CFPA.
Florida Certified Paralegal ("FCP") through PAF
The Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (PAF) provides a state-specific examination for Florida Paralegals who seek to further distinguish themselves as specialists in Florida law. A day-long seminar to prepare for this examination held at the University of Central Florida in October. The examination takes place afterward online. Successful
completion of this Florida-law specific certification examination entitles the
paralegal to include the designation of Florida Certified Paralegal ("FCP")
after his/her name to distinguish them as obtaining an advanced level of competence of Florida law.
The process for submitting CLE hours to the Paralegal Association of Florida for credit toward the continuing legal education requirement is a simple one. A paralegal may submit copies of the signed and completed Certificates of Attendance received from each seminar attended to the FCP Coordinator by Email or postal mail at the address below. Alternately, a paralegal may submit a copy of either the NALA or Florida Bar listing of credits received to the FCP Coordinator, also by Email or postal mail.
Catherine Louise, CP, FCP, FRP
Roetzel & Andress, LPA
2320 First Street, Suite 1000
Ft. Myers, FL 33901 CLouisePAF@hotmail.com
PACE-Registered Paralegal ("RP") through NFPA
The
National Federal of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) certifies legal professions through a nationally-recognized examination and certification process called the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam ("PACE"). For a history of the NFPA through October, 2008, CLICK HERE. To read NFPA's Mission Statement, CLICK HERE.
Successful completion of this national certification examination
entitles the paralegal to include the designation of PACE-Registered Paralegal ("RP") after his/her name to distinguish them as obtaining
the nationally-recognized standard in paralegal competence.
For more information about the NFPA see PARALEGALS
For more information about the PACE examination, CLICK HERE
Although CFPA is not a NFPA-affiliated association, our goal is to promote professionalism within the paralegal field and CFPA recognizes as NFPA as a national organization that promotes continued education and professionalism.
Professional Paralegal ("PP") through NALS
The National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS) established in 2004 a professional paralegal certification. Successful
completion of this national certification examination
entitles the paralegal to include the designation of Professional Paralegal ("PP") after his/her name to distinguish them as obtaining
the nationally-recognized standard in paralegal competence.