Transmission Wire

Why California?

Legal assistants or paralegals in California, rank in the top 100 professions. The trend of this employment is most fascinating, as it is projected to grow faster than average in comparison to paralegals in the other US states and to all other occupations within California.

Licensing Requirement in California

Currently, California does not have licensing or certification requirements. Nonetheless, in order to differentiate yourself from other job applicants, you might think about obtaining one of the two voluntary certifications:

1. Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)
2. Registered Paralegal (RP)

let’s see them in details:

1. How to Become a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)

   Most people in California usually use the CLA exam. Before using the CLA title, you must: take and pass a two-day exam given by the Certifying Board of Legal Assistance, and meet the established standards of the National Association of Legal Assistants. Certification must be renewed after 5 years. Within a five-year period, you need to satisfactorily finish 50 hours of approved continuing legal education credits in order to renew your certification. You can become certified as a California Advance Specialist (CAS)

   In California if you have a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) certification. By sitting for and passing a four-hour test in a chosen specialty field, you may acquire the CAS certification.

   The 5 specialty areas to make your selections from are as follows:

   • Business and Organizations
   • Estates and Trusts
   • Family Law
   • Civil Litigation
   • Real Estate

   To reiterate, every five years the certification must be renewed. Within a five-year period, you need to demonstrate that you successfully completed 70 hours of valid continuing education credits in the legal field, or your certification will not be renewed.

2. Becoming a Registered Paralegal (RP)

   In order to be known as a Registered Paralegal (RP), individuals must write and pass a test developed by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) known as the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE).

   To renew the certification (every 2 years) you need to show proof of completing 12 hours of approved continuing legal education credits (within the last 2 years).