This is an official website of the North Carolina State Bar and its Board of Paralegal Certification.

Plan for Certification of Paralegals

The State Bar's interest in the paralegal profession promotes proper utilization of paralegals and assures that legal services are professionally and ethically offered to the public. The Plan for Certification of Paralegals approved by the NC State Bar and adopted by the NC Supreme Court in 2004 will assist in the development of paralegal standards, raise the profile of the paralegal profession, and standardize the expectations of the public and other legal professionals.

The State Bar has worked diligently with attorneys and paralegals across our state to establish a voluntary North Carolina certification program with requirements that are properly defined and that will ensure the credential has value. Through education and experience, the North Carolina certification plan will assist lawyers and administrators in distinguishing paralegals that meet or exceed the skills required for certification. As multi-skilled professionals, paralegals have a diverse knowledge base and must practice effective interpersonal communication skills to maintain collaborative relationships within the legal team.  Paralegals, like attorneys, will continue to be held accountable to the highest of ethical and professional standards.

NC Certified Paralegals Receive Awards
At NCPA's 30th Annual Seminar and Meeting, NCPA honored three of its members. Trudy Rutherford, NCCP, was honored for being one of NCPA's founding members and for still remaining active 30 years later. Karen England, NCPP, was recently honored with an Outstanding Service Award for her service as NCPA's Historian. Virginia M. Burrows, CLAS, NCCP, was honored as the North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division’s Distinguished Paralegal for 2010. This award recognizes outstanding achievements, professionalism, and contributions, both professionally and personally, by a division regular member through active participation in activities such as civic/community volunteering, paralegal leadership, paralegal education, and promotion of the paralegal profession. Virginia is a paralegal with the Research Triangle Park office of K&L Gates.