Certificate or Certification – What’s the Difference?
December 8, 2010
Anyone who has successfully completed the required number of accredited paralegal courses is entitled to receive their certificate of completion. This simply means that a student has passed all their classes in one of the many available paralegal programs. Whether or not this will prove to be sufficient in getting a job will to a great extent depend on how thorough the programs was and if it covered all the topics that law firms are looking for when hiring paralegals. Also taken into consideration will be whether or not the student participated in a practicum which would have given them hands on experience working in a law firm.
While receiving one’s certificate is important, it is not a designation that an individual is certified as a paralegal. In order to receive paralegal certification, graduates must meet certain requirements such as:
- A specified amount of hands on experience in the field
- Pass qualifying examinations
- Must have attended and graduated an accredited paralegal program
The American Bar Association (ABA) approves paralegal programs or schools as opposed to certifying paralegals themselves. It is therefore critical that prospective students ensure that the paralegal programs they are considering be approved by the ABA before enrolling. Once all courses have been successfully completed, there are a number of organizations that graduates can turn to for certification, some of which are:
- Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
- The National Association of Paralegals (NALA)
- The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
There are also state specific organizations where one can apply to for their certification such as the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Simply check with your local ABA for information on state certification agencies.
Continuing on to receive paralegal certification after graduation is important as the ABA does encourage lawyers in promoting continued education and higher levels of excellence for all paralegals that they employ. Paralegals that have passed their professional certification exams open themselves up to greater employment opportunities and also helps in ensuring both attorneys and clients that they have a more in depth understanding of their duties and are highly competent in their work.