Professional Paralegal Associations and State by State Certification/Licensure Status

 

Updated on February 25, 2009.

 

Please e-mail all corrections and updates to Janice.Hoover@americanparalegal.edu

 

Thanks!

 

STATE

CITY

 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

ALABAMA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Birmingham

NALA: Alabama Association of Paralegals | www.aaopi.com

 

 

 

ALASKA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Fairbanks

NALA: Fairbanks Association of Legal Assistants (no website)

 

Anchorage

NFPA: Alaska Association of Paralegals | www.alaskaparalegals.org

 

 

 

ARIZONA

Certification/Licensure Status: Under the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration Section 7-208, anyone preparing legal paperwork without an attorney’s supervision must be certified as a legal document preparer. Legal document preparers can provide general legal information but can’t give legal advice. Paralegals can receive a legal document preparer’s certification if they have already earned a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or a non-ABA-approved, accredited institution with a minimum of 24 completed semester units in legal specialization courses. (www.supreme.state.az.us/orders/admcode/pdfcurrentcode/7-208%20section2.pdf)

 

Statewide

NALA: Arizona Paralegal Association | www.azparalegal.org

 

Tucson

NALA: Tucson Paralegal Association | www.tucsonparalegals.org

 

Phoenix

NALA: Legal Assistants of Metropolitan Phoenix | www.geocities.com/azlamp

 

 

 

ARKANSAS

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Springdale

NALA: Arkansas Association of Legal Assistants | www.aala-legal.org

 

 

 

CALIFORNIA

Certification/Licensure Status: The California Business and Professions Code Section 6450-6456 defines a paralegal’s duties, states minimum educational standards and continuing legal education requirements, and sets fines and jail time for anyone who violates the law. (www.leginfo.ca.gov) An agreement between the National Association of Legal Assistants and the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations created the voluntary California Advanced Specialty certification program. It will return in late 2006 as a web-based program.

 

Los Angeles

NALA: Los Angeles Paralegal Association |www.lapa.org

 

Riverside, San Bernardino

NALA: Inland Counties Association of Paralegals | www.icaponline.org

 

Fresno

NALA: Fresno Paralegal Association | www.fresnoparalegal.org

 

Orange County

Paralegal Association for Orange County

www.ocparalegal.org

 

Sacramento

NFPA: Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association | www.svpa.org



 

San Francisco

NFPA: San Francisco Paralegal Association | www.sfpa.com

California also has a new law providing for Legal Document Assistants (LDAs), independent paralegals that perform functions directly for the general public. California Association of Legal Document Assistants (CALDA) provides information about this specialty area and the laws that govern it: http://www.calda.org

COLORADO

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Denver

NALA: Colorado Association of Professional Paralegals and Legal Assistants | www.capplaweb.org

 

Denver

NFPA: Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association | www.rockymtnparalegal.org

 

 

 

CONNECTICUT

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Hartford

NFPA: Connecticut Paralegal Association, Inc. | http://www.paralegals.org/displaypersonalwebpage.cfm?id=883983

 

Bridgeport

NFPA: Connecticut Association of Paralegals, Inc. | http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=747

 

New Haven

NFPA: New Haven County Association of Paralegals, Inc. | http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=751

 

DELAWARE

Certification/Licensure Status: While the state doesn’t regulate paralegals, the Delaware Paralegal Association in 2005 approved voluntary certification, which establishes minimum educational standards. (www.deparalegals.org/dcpp.php)

FLORIDA

Certification/Licensure Status: In 1980, the Paralegal Association of Florida Inc. established the voluntary Certified Florida Legal Assistant program and began administering the CFLA exam in 1983. In November, 2007, the Supreme Court of Florida approved the amendments to chapter 20 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. The new chapter 20 creates the Florida Registered Paralegal Program. It provides for voluntary registration of paralegals who meet certain minimum educational, certification, or work experience criteria and who agree to abide by an established code of ethics in exchange for the ability to refer to themselves as Florida Registered Paralegals. The Rule goes into effect on March 1, 2008. Applications will be available at that time from the Florida Bar’s website at www.floridabar.org. For the full text of the Court’s opinion and the new rule, go to www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/2007/sc06-1622.pdf

 

West Palm Beach

NALA: Paralegal Association of Florida | www.pafinc.org

 

Jacksonville

NALA: Northeast Florida Paralegal Association | www.nefpa.org

 

Orlando

NALA: Central Florida Paralegal Association | www.cfpainc.com

 

Pensacola

NALA: Northwest Florida Paralegal Association | www.nwfpa.com

 

Sarasota

NALA: Southwest Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.swfloridaparalegals.com

 

Tampa Bay

NFPA: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association | www.tbpa.org

 

Palm Beach Co. to Monroe Co.

NALA and NFPA (dually affiliated): South Florida Paralegal Association. www.sfpa.info

 

Ft. Myers/

Naples

Gulf Coast Paralegal Association www.gcpa.info

 

State-wide

Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations (FAPA or the Alliance) www.fapainc.org

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Washington

NFPA: National Capital Area Paralegal Association | www.ncapa.com

 

 

 

GEORGIA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Savannah

NALA: Southeastern Association of Legal Assistants | www.seala.org

 

Atlanta

NALA: Metro Atlanta Legal Assistants Association | www.malaa.org

 

Atlanta

NFPA: Georgia Association of Paralegals, Inc. | www.gaparalegal.org

 

 

 

HAWAII

Certification/Licensure Status: A mandatory paralegal certification proposal was rejected by the Hawaii State Bar Association in 2001. The following year, the state Supreme Court declined to approve paralegal certification.

 

Honolulu

NFPA: Hawaii Paralegal Association | www.hawaiiparalegal.org

 

 

 

IDAHO

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

 

 

ILLINOIS

Certification/Licensure Status: Two state initiatives to monitor nonattorney legal service providers failed in 2005.

 

Central Illinois

NALA: Central Illinois Paralegal Association http://hometown.aol.com/cipainfo/

 

New Lenox

NFPA: Illinois Paralegal Association | www.ipaonline.org

 

 

 

INDIANA

In September, 2008, the Indiana State Bar Association notified paralegal associations that the state Supreme Court decided not to adopt voluntary paralegal certification. Paralegals are still encouraged to join and participate in the bar, despite the Court’s decision.

 

Indianapolis

NFPA: Indiana Paralegal Assocation | www.indianaparalegals.org

 

 

 

IOWA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

 

NALA: Iowa Association of Legal Assistants | www.ialanet.org

 

 

 

KANSAS

Certification/Licensure Status: In February, 2008, Kansas paralegal associations presented a voluntary certification program proposal to the Kansas Bar Board of Governors. No action has been taken to date.

 

Kansas City

NALA: Heartland Association of Legal Assistants | www.kansas.gov/hala

 

Wichita

NALA: Kansas Association of Legal Assistants | www.accesskansas.org/kala

 

Topeka

NFPA: Kansas Paralegal Association | www.ksparalegals.org

 

 

 

KENTUCKY

Certification/Licensure Status: The Kentucky Paralegal Association currently is developing a statewide voluntary certification exam and study guide.

 

Lexington

NFPA: Greater Lexington Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.lexingtonparalegals.com

 

 

 

LOUISIANA

Certification/Licensure Status: In 1996, the Louisiana State Paralegal Association established a voluntary certification exam. (www.la-paralegals.org)

 

Statewide

NALA: Louisiana State Paralegal Association | www.la-paralegals.org

 

New Orleans

NFPA: New Orleans Paralegal Association | http://paralegals.org/displaypersonalwebpage.cfm?id=952245

 

 

 

MAINE

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

 

 

MARYLAND

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Statewide

NFPA: Maryland Associations of Paralegals, Inc. | www.mdparalegals.org

 

 

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Statewide

NFPA: Massachusetts Paralegal Association | www.massparalegal.org

 

Western MA

NFPA: Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.wmassparalegal.org

 

 

 

MICHIGAN

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Statewide

NALA: Legal Assistants Association of Michigan | www.laamnet.org

 

Michigan

and Indiana

NFPA: Michiana Paralegal Association

www.michianaparalegals.org

MINNESOTA

Certification/Licensure Status: The MN State Bar Association Paralegal Committee is working on a voluntary certification program similar to the North Carolina program.

 

Roseville

NFPA: Minnesota Paralegal Association | www.mnparalegals.org

 

 

 

MISSISSIPPI

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Jackson

NALA: Mississippi Association of Legal Assistants | www.msmala.com

 

 

 

MISSOURI

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

St. Louis

NALA: St. Louis Association of Legal Assistants | www.slala.org

 

Springfield

NFPA: Missouri State Paralegal Association(no website)

 

 

 

MONTANA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Statewide

NALA: Montana Association of Legal Assistants | www.malanet.org

 

 

 

NEBRASKA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Omaha

NALA: Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants | www.neala.org

 

 

NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver | www.rockymtnparalegal.org

 

 

 

NEVADA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Las Vegas

NALA: Nevada Paralegal Association | www.nevadaparalegal.org

 

Reno

NALA: Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals | www.snapreno.com

 

Southern NV

NFPA: Paralegal Association of Southern Nevada | www.nvparalegal.net

 

 

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Statewide

NFPA: Paralegal Association of New Hampshire | www.panh.org

NEW JERSEY

Certification/Licensure Status: The New Jersey Supreme Court denied a proposal from its special committee calling for the mandatory licensing of paralegals; however, it encouraged local associations to consider the development of a credentialing system. The New Jersey State Bar Association Committee on Paralegals currently is working on a registration system for paralegals.

 

Caldwell

NALA: Legal Assistants Association of New Jersey | www.laanj.org

 

Haddonfield

NFPA: South Jersey Paralegal Association | http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=586

 

 

 

NEW MEXICO

Certification/Licensure Status: In 2004, the state Supreme Court amended its rules to establish minimum standards for calling oneself a “paralegal” and to discourage disbarred or suspended attorneys along with those not qualified from using the title. (www.nmlaws.org)

 

NEW YORK

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Albany

NFPA: Capital District Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.cdpa.info

 

Long Island

NFPA: Long Island Paralegal Association | www.liparalegals.org

 

Manhattan

NFPA:New York City Paralegal Association. | www.nyc-pa.org

 

Rochester

NFPA: Paralegal Association of Rochester, Inc. | www.par.itgo.com

 

Western NY

NFPA: Western New York Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.wnyparalegals.org

 

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Certification/Licensure Status: In October 2004, the Supreme Court of North Carolina approved the voluntary certification of paralegals. Paralegals must fulfill education and work experience requirements and submit an application to the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification to obtain the title of North Carolina Certified Paralegal. After June, 2007, applicants must also pass a test in order to obtain the certification. (www.ncbar.org)

 

Charlotte

NALA: Metrolina Paralegal Association | www.charlotteareaparalegals.com

 

Charlotte

NALA: North Carolina Paralegal Association | www.ncparalegal.org


Affiliates:

Guilford Paralegal Association www.guilfordparalegalassociation.org


Alamance Paralegal Association

jej@vernonlaw.com


Asheville Area Paralegal Association

www.aapaonline.net


Research Triangle Paralegal Association

kstehle@coatsandbennet.com


Raleigh Wake Paralegal Association

www.rwpa.net


Cumberland County Paralegal Association

P.O. Box 2649, Fayetteville, NC (no website)

 

 

 

NORTH DAKOTA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Eastern ND

NALA: Red River Valley Paralegal Association | www.rrvpa.org

 

Western ND

NALA: Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants | www.wdala.org

 

 

 

OHIO

Certification/Licensure Status: In September, 2006, the Ohio State Bar Association has established a voluntary credentialing program for paralegals. Applications must meet educational and experiential requirements, and must sit for a written examination. Applications will be available in January, 2007. www.ohiobar.org

 

Toledo

NALA: Paralegal Association of Northwest Ohio | www.panonet.org

 

Cleveland

NFPA: Cleveland Association of Paralegals | www.capohio.org

 

Dayton

NFPA: Greater Dayton Paralegal Association | www.gdpa.org

 

Central OH

NFPA: Paralegal Association of Central Ohio | www.pacoparalegals.org

 

Cincinnati*

Cincinnati Paralegal Association (CPA)

www.cincinnatiparalegals.org

*Unaffiliated with any national paralegal organization.

OKLAHOMA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Weatherford

NALA: Oklahoma Paralegal Association | www.okparalegal.org

 

Tulsa

NALA: Tulsa Association of Legal Assistants | www.tulsatala.org

 

 

 

OREGON

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Portland

NALA: Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association | www.pnpa.org

 

Portland

NFPA: Oregon Paralegal Association | www.oregonparalegals.org

 

 

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Certification/Licensure Status: The Keystone Alliance ratified a voluntary certification program (Pa. C.P.) In April, 2008. See www.keystoneparalegals.org for details on eligibility for the credential.

 

Harrisburg

NFPA: Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association | home.comcast.net/~cppageneral/

 

Philadelphia

NFPA: Philadelphia Association of Paralegals | www.philaparalegals.com

 

Pittsburgh

NFPA: Pittsburgh Paralegal Association | www.pghparalegals.org

 

 

 

RHODE ISLAND

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Providence

NFPA: Rhode Island Paralegal Association | http://paralegals.org/associations/2270/files/home149.html

 

 

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Charleston

NALA: Charleston Association of Legal Assistants | www.charlestonlegalassistants.org

 

Greenville

NALA: South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association | www.scupa.org

 

Columbia

NFPA: Palmetto Paralegal Association | www.ppasc.org

 

 

 

SOUTH DAKOTA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Sioux Falls

NALA: South Dakota Paralegal Association | www.sdparalegals.com

 

Statewide

NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver | www.rockymtnparalegal.org

 

 

 

TENNESSEE

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Memphis

NALA: Greater Memphis Paralegal Alliance | www.memphisparalegals.org

 

Knoxville

NALA: Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association | www.smparalegal.org

 

Chattanooga

NALA: Tennessee Paralegal Association | www.tnparalegal.org

 

Nashville

NFPA: Middle Tennessee Paralegal Association | www.mtpaonline.com

 

Memphis

NFPA: Memphis Paralegal Association | www.memphisparalegalassociation.org

 

 

 

TEXAS

Certification/Licensure Status: The Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers voluntary specialty certification for attorneys and legal assistants. The certification was established in 1974 by the state Supreme Court and allows legal assistants to become certified in six different specialty areas of law, each requiring an exam and a minimum amount of experience, education, and CLE. (www.tbls.org)

 

Houston

NALA: Houston Paralegal Association | www.houstonparalegalassociation.org

 

Austin

NALA: Capitol Area Paralegal Association | www.capatx.org

 

El Paso

NALA: El Paso Paralegal Association | www.elppa.org

 

Dallas

NALA: North Texas Paralegal Association | www.ntparalegals.org

 

Dallas

NFPA: Dallas Area Paralegal Association | www.dallasparalegals.org

 

 

 

UTAH

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Salt Lake City

NALA: Legal Assistants Association of Utah | www.laau.info

 

Statewide

NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver | www.rockymtnparalegal.org

 

 

 

VERMONT

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Burlington

NFPA: Vermont Paralegal Organization | www.vtparalegal.org

 

 

 

VIRGINIA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Richmond

NALA: Richmond Paralegal Association | www.richmondparalegals.org

 

Roanoke

NALA: Roanoke Valley Paralegal Association | www.rvpa.org

 

 

 

WASHINGTON

Certification/Licensure Status: The Washington State Practice of Law Board drafted a regulation proposal that the Board of Governors will consider in early 2006. If approved, it will be submitted to the state Supreme Court for consideration. The proposal includes a definition, certification, and educational requirements. (www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/practiceoflaw/default.htm)

 

Seattle

NFPA: Washington State Paralegal Association | www.wspaonline.com

 

 

 

WEST VIRGINIA

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Charleston

NALA: Association of West Virginia Paralegals, Inc. | www.awvp.org

 

 

 

WISCONSIN

Certification/Licensure Status: In April, 2008, the state Supreme Court dismissed the State Bar’s petition to regulate paralegals. No further action has been taken regarding certification/licensure.

 

Madison

NALA: Madison Area Paralegal Association | www.madisonparalegal.org

 

Statewide*

The Paralegal Association of Wisconsin

www.wisconsinparalegal.org

*Unaffiliated with any national paralegal organization.

WYOMING

Certification/Licensure Status:

 

Statewide

NALA: Legal Assistants of Wyoming | www.lawyo.com

 

Statewide

NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver| www.rockymtnparalegal.org