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FAQ's

Purpose and Effect of Paralegal Certification Program
Application Procedure
Qualifications: Education
Qualifications: Exam
Maintaining Certification

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Purpose and Effect of Paralegal Certification Program

Q: What is the “Plan for Certification of Paralegals” (the“Plan”)?

The Plan is a self-funded, voluntary certification program of the North Carolina State Bar, the regulatory agency for North Carolina lawyers. The Plan provides incentives to North Carolina paralegals to meet a minimum level of education to become a “North Carolina Certified Paralegal” and a minimum level of continuing education to maintain the certification. The Plan does not restrict the use of the term “paralegal” nor does it differentiate the services between a certified and a non-certified paralegal. However, it does provide a much-needed benchmark to ensure paralegal competency and enhance the quality of legal services provided by North Carolina paralegals.

Q: Why does the North Carolina State Bar certify paralegals?

The purpose of the North Carolina State Bar’s Plan for Certification of Paralegals is to assist in the delivery of legal services to the public by identifying individuals who are qualified by education and training and have demonstrated knowledge, skill, and proficiency to perform substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a licensed lawyer (including any individual who may be otherwise authorized by applicable state or federal law to provide legal services directly to the public) and to improve the competency of those individuals by establishing mandatory continuing legal education and other requirements of certification.

Q: Why is the program voluntary?

The program is voluntary because it only applies to paralegals who wish to use the titles "North Carolina Certified Paralegal,""North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal," or "Paralegal Certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification." A paralegal can choose not to be certified and still perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney using the titles "paralegal" and "legal assistant.”

Q: Do I have to be certified to work as a paralegal in North Carolina?

No. This is a voluntary certification program. Obtaining certification is not a requirement to be employed as a paralegal/legal assistant or to call yourself a paralegal in North Carolina. However, the titles "North Carolina Certified Paralegal,""North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal," and "Paralegal Certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification" are reserved for those individuals who are certified by the North Carolina State Bar.

Q: Why would I want to commit to the certification track by taking the exam and attending continuing legal education seminars?

Whether you believe North Carolina certification is right for you is a personal decision. Certification demonstrates your commitment to the paralegal profession and provides recognition that you have met high professional standards. Since certified paralegals are required to take continuing education courses, it helps you stay current in the legal field which, in turn, enhances the quality of legal services you provide to attorneys. For potential employers, it makes the hiring process easier – your credentials are already verified.

Q: How will obtaining certification help me find employment?

The Plan may not have any immediate impact on employment possibilities. However, as the certification process becomes more familiar to attorneys and legal employers, some employers are beginning to hire only North Carolina Certified Paralegals. In addition, although the Plan is voluntary, it does give the attorney a much-needed benchmark for hiring.

Q: If I am an attorney, how will this affect my law practice?

As attorneys confront the daily challenges of providing quality legal services to their clients, attorneys need to be assured that the paralegals they employ to assist them are educated and qualified to provide legal services. Members of the public indirectly rely on the work performed by paralegals and many times directly rely upon information given to them by paralegals. Paralegals should know and understand their ethical duties and their limitations under the authorized practice of law statutes. They should meet minimum standards of paralegal competency. Although the Plan is voluntary, it does give the attorney a benchmark for hiring practices and, hopefull, will reduce ethical violations, unauthorized practice of law, and malpractice claims. The Plan will not prevent attorneys from hiring an uncertified, non-lawyer as a legal assistant or paralegal but it will help attorneys to identify qualified candidates. It will also allow the attorney to publicize the employment of a certified paralegal.

Q: Will the Plan create competition between attorneys and paralegals?

No. The Plan continues to require paralegals to be supervised by an attorney unless authorized by law to provide services directly to the public (e.g. social security disability representatives). The Plan will also enhance compliance with the authorized practice statutes by improving paralegals' understanding of the requirements of the law.

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Application Procedure

Q: When and how can I apply?

Applications are accepted by the North Carolina State Bar on a continuous basis. The application may be obtained here. To apply, complete the application, enclose the application fee, and mail the application to the following address:

Paralegal Certification Program
North Carolina State Bar
PO Box 25908
Raleigh, NC 27611

Q: What is the cost to apply?

The initial application fee is $125.00. Once your application is approved, you will be required to submit a $50 testing fee prior to sitting for the exam. The annual renewal fee is $50.00.

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Qualifications: Education

Q: Will I qualify for certification if I only have a high school diploma?

As of July 1, 2007, you are required to have formal paralegal education to apply for certification.

Q: Will I qualify for certification if I graduated from a qualified paralegal studies program?

You may apply to sit for the paralegal certification exam after graduation with a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree from a paralegal school which has been approved by the Board of Paralegal Certification as a “qualified paralegal studies program.”

Q: Will I qualify for certification if I have a degree in another field but I have taken some paralegal coursework?

No, you may only apply to sit for the paralegal certification exam if you have a degree from a paralegal school which has been approved by the Board of Paralegal Certification as a “qualified paralegal studies program.”

Q: Will I qualify for certification if I have a degree in another field but I have not taken any paralegal coursework?

As of July 1, 2007, you are required to have formal paralegal education to apply for certification.

Q: What is a “qualified paralegal studies program”?

A paralegal studies program is “qualified” by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification. A program can be qualified if it satisfies one of the following: a paralegal or legal assistant studies program is approved by the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, or the program offers at least the equivalent 18 semester credits of coursework in paralegal studies as prescribed by the American Bar Association Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education, and is an institutional member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or other regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

A determination that a paralegal studies program is qualified under the Plan for Certification of Paralegals does not constitute an approval or an endorsement of the program by the Board of Paralegal Certification or the North Carolina State Bar.

Q: How do I know if the paralegal studies program I attended or in which I am about to enroll is a qualified paralegal studies program under the Plan for Certification of Paralegals?

All ABA approved programs are qualified paralegal studies programs. If your program is not ABA approved, the program may be “qualified” by applying to the Board of Paralegal Certification. Here is a list of all NC qualified paralegal studies programs.

The application for qualification can be found in the documents section of this website. If the administration of your program cannot apply for qualification, you may complete and submit the application for the program.

You can review the ABA requirements and approved programs here.

Information on how to choose a paralegal education program can be found on the website of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

Q: I am currently a student in a paralegal program; can I apply to be certified?

You may only apply to sit for the paralegal certification exam after graduation from a paralegal school which has been approved by the Board of Paralegal Certification as a “qualified paralegal studies program.”

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Qualifications: Exam


Disclaimer - All information provided on the exam is subject to change without notice at the discretion of the North Carolina State Bar or the Board of Paralegal Certification.

Q: How long will it take to complete the exam?

You will have three hours to complete the exam.

Q: What kind of questions are on the exam?

All questions on the exam are multiple choice. There are no essay questions on the exam.

Q: How many questions are on the exam?

There are 150 multiple choice questions on the exam.

Q: When will the first exam be given and what is the cost?

The first exam will be administered on May 3, 2008. There is a $125 application fee and a $50 exam fee.

Q: How often will the exam be administered?

The Board of Paralegal Certification of the North Carolina State Bar currently plans to offer the exam twice a year.

Q: Where will the exam be administered?

On May 3, 2008 and October 4, 2008, the exam will be administered at the following locations in North Carolina—in Asheville at South College; Charlotte at UNC-Charlotte; Greensboro at Guilford Technical Community College; Raleigh at Meredith College; and Greenville at Pitt Community College.

Q: If I do not pass the exam, how soon may I retake the exam and will I need to retake the whole exam or just the sections I did not pass?

If you do not pass the exam, you may retake the exam the next time it is offered. You must retake the entire exam. The exam is not divided into sections for grading purposes.

Q: What is the passing score?

Each exam will cover the same areas of law but will consist of different questions. Therefore, the passing score will vary from exam to exam.

Q: What areas of law will be tested on the exam?

Civil Litigation, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Ethics, Family Law, Legal Research, Real Property, and Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration.

Q: How were the legal subjects determined?

The legal subjects to be tested are based upon a review of the core curriculum required by the community college system for paralegal studies programs in North Carolina which generally follow the core curriculum for ABA-approved paralegal studies programs.

Q: Will any other topics be tested on the exam?

Yes. Five “performance domains” will be tested. Performance domains can be tested in questions on a particular area of law (e.g., civil litigation). Performance domains identify the core competencies required for the proficient performance of a North Carolina Certified Paralegal in his/her job. Within these performance domains there are several tasks that will be tested. Following is the list of the performance domains or core competencies associated with the tasks:

Domain	Tasks
Communication	Discuss and comprehend work tasks, gather and report investigative information, relay initial and follow-up information, interact with client and attorney, adhere to ethical standards of the legal profession.
Research	Determine applicable sources, understand primary and secondary authorities, gather research information
Analysis	Determine relevant information, assess client situation and suggest possible courses of action for attorney consideration, analyze proposed courses of action,
Documentation	Draft documents and correspondence, coordinate document execution, coordinate filing and recording, coordinate service of process, create form documents, review documents to maintain validity
Organization	Coordinate schedules, maintain tickler system, create, utilize and maintain proper file management techniques, prioritize workload assignments,

Q: Will the exam test only North Carolina law?

The exam is based primarily on North Carolina law; however, some federal and/or common law questions may be asked to the extent they are relevant to the core knowledge required of a North Carolina paralegal.

Q: Will any review courses be offered?

The Board of Paralegal Certification of the North Carolina State Bar will not offer or sponsor any review courses. However, review courses may be developed and offered by various public and private providers.

Q: What should I study to prepare for the exam?

No particular course of study is recommended or required; however, the following activities would be appropriate. Review the index of the text used in the introduction to paralegal studies or legal survey course at the paralegal studies program you attended. Re-read all chapters on subjects on which you are rusty. Review the glossary to brush-up on terms that you do not know or have forgotten. Review the text from your legal research course. Study the comprehensive final exams on subjects tested on the certification exam.

Sample exam questions are available here.

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Maintaining Certification

Q: What is required of me once I receive the certification?

The certification is awarded for 12 months. Six hours of continuing legal education, including one hour of legal ethics, are required annually of all paralegals using the North Carolina State Bar certification titles, including those who meet the grandfathering provisions. These courses will be offered by many of the paralegal and attorney organizations throughout North Carolina. Check with the individual sponsor to determine the dates and locations of these courses. Paralegals may take unlimited online and DVD education hours. Paralegals can fulfill the annual requirement by taking continuing legal education (CLE) approved by the State Bar for attorneys. Paralegals can also take courses that are approved specifically for paralegals by the Board of Paralegal Certification. These courses qualify for continuing paralegal education (CPE). A list of approved CPE courses can be found by clicking here or you can search the CLE website at www.nccle.org.