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 |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Birmingham |
NALA: Alabama Association of Paralegals | www.aaopi.com |
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ALASKA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Fairbanks |
NALA: Fairbanks Association of Legal Assistants (no website) |
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Anchorage |
NFPA: Alaska Association of Paralegals | www.alaskaparalegals.org |
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ARIZONA |
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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) |
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Statewide |
NALA: Arizona Paralegal Association | www.azparalegal.org |
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Tucson |
NALA: Tucson Paralegal Association | www.tucsonparalegals.org |
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Phoenix |
NALA: Legal Assistants of Metropolitan Phoenix | www.geocities.com/azlamp |
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ARKANSAS |
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Springdale |
NALA: Arkansas Association of Legal Assistants | www.aala-legal.org |
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CALIFORNIA |
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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. |
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Los Angeles |
NALA: Los Angeles Paralegal Association |www.lapa.org |
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Riverside, San Bernardino |
NALA: Inland Counties Association of Paralegals | www.icaponline.org |
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Fresno |
NALA: Fresno Paralegal Association | www.fresnoparalegal.org |
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Orange County |
Paralegal Association for Orange County |
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Sacramento |
NFPA: Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association | www.svpa.org |
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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 |
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COLORADO |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Denver |
NALA: Colorado Association of Professional Paralegals and Legal Assistants | www.capplaweb.org |
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Denver |
NFPA: Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association | www.rockymtnparalegal.org |
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CONNECTICUT |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Hartford |
NFPA: Connecticut Paralegal Association, Inc. | http://www.paralegals.org/displaypersonalwebpage.cfm?id=883983 |
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Bridgeport |
NFPA: Connecticut Association of Paralegals, Inc. | http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=747 |
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New Haven |
NFPA: New Haven County Association of Paralegals, Inc. | http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=751 |
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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 |
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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 |
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West Palm Beach |
NALA: Paralegal Association of Florida | www.pafinc.org |
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Jacksonville |
NALA: Northeast Florida Paralegal Association | www.nefpa.org |
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Orlando |
NALA: Central Florida Paralegal Association | www.cfpainc.com |
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Pensacola |
NALA: Northwest Florida Paralegal Association | www.nwfpa.com |
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Sarasota |
NALA: Southwest Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.swfloridaparalegals.com |
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Tampa Bay |
NFPA: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association | www.tbpa.org |
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Palm Beach Co. to Monroe Co. |
NALA and NFPA (dually affiliated): South Florida Paralegal Association. www.sfpa.info |
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Ft. Myers/ Naples |
Gulf Coast Paralegal Association www.gcpa.info |
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State-wide |
Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations (FAPA or the Alliance) www.fapainc.org |
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Washington |
NFPA: National Capital Area Paralegal Association | www.ncapa.com |
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GEORGIA |
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Savannah |
NALA: Southeastern Association of Legal Assistants | www.seala.org |
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Atlanta |
NALA: Metro Atlanta Legal Assistants Association | www.malaa.org |
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Atlanta |
NFPA: Georgia Association of Paralegals, Inc. | www.gaparalegal.org |
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HAWAII |
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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. |
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Honolulu |
NFPA: Hawaii Paralegal Association | www.hawaiiparalegal.org |
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IDAHO |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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ILLINOIS |
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Certification/Licensure Status: Two state initiatives to monitor nonattorney legal service providers failed in 2005. |
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Central Illinois |
NALA: Central Illinois Paralegal Association http://hometown.aol.com/cipainfo/ |
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New Lenox |
NFPA: Illinois Paralegal Association | www.ipaonline.org |
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INDIANA |
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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. |
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Indianapolis |
NFPA: Indiana Paralegal Assocation | www.indianaparalegals.org |
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IOWA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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NALA: Iowa Association of Legal Assistants | www.ialanet.org |
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KANSAS |
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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. |
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Kansas City |
NALA: Heartland Association of Legal Assistants | www.kansas.gov/hala |
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Wichita |
NALA: Kansas Association of Legal Assistants | www.accesskansas.org/kala |
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Topeka |
NFPA: Kansas Paralegal Association | www.ksparalegals.org |
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KENTUCKY |
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Certification/Licensure Status: The Kentucky Paralegal Association currently is developing a statewide voluntary certification exam and study guide. |
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Lexington |
NFPA: Greater Lexington Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.lexingtonparalegals.com |
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LOUISIANA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: In 1996, the Louisiana State Paralegal Association established a voluntary certification exam. (www.la-paralegals.org) |
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Statewide |
NALA: Louisiana State Paralegal Association | www.la-paralegals.org |
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New Orleans |
NFPA: New Orleans Paralegal Association | http://paralegals.org/displaypersonalwebpage.cfm?id=952245 |
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MAINE |
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MARYLAND |
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Statewide |
NFPA: Maryland Associations of Paralegals, Inc. | www.mdparalegals.org |
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MASSACHUSETTS |
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Statewide |
NFPA: Massachusetts Paralegal Association | www.massparalegal.org |
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Western MA |
NFPA: Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.wmassparalegal.org |
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MICHIGAN |
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Statewide |
NALA: Legal Assistants Association of Michigan | www.laamnet.org |
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Michigan and Indiana |
NFPA: Michiana Paralegal Association www.michianaparalegals.org |
MINNESOTA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: The MN State Bar Association Paralegal Committee is working on a voluntary certification program similar to the North Carolina program. |
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Roseville |
NFPA: Minnesota Paralegal Association | www.mnparalegals.org |
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MISSISSIPPI |
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Jackson |
NALA: Mississippi Association of Legal Assistants | www.msmala.com |
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MISSOURI |
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St. Louis |
NALA: St. Louis Association of Legal Assistants | www.slala.org |
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Springfield |
NFPA: Missouri State Paralegal Association(no website) |
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MONTANA |
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Statewide |
NALA: Montana Association of Legal Assistants | www.malanet.org |
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NEBRASKA |
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Omaha |
NALA: Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants | www.neala.org |
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NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver | www.rockymtnparalegal.org |
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NEVADA |
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Las Vegas |
NALA: Nevada Paralegal Association | www.nevadaparalegal.org |
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Reno |
NALA: Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals | www.snapreno.com |
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Southern NV |
NFPA: Paralegal Association of Southern Nevada | www.nvparalegal.net |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Statewide |
NFPA: Paralegal Association of New Hampshire | www.panh.org |
NEW JERSEY |
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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. |
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Caldwell |
NALA: Legal Assistants Association of New Jersey | www.laanj.org |
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Haddonfield |
NFPA: South Jersey Paralegal Association | http://www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=586 |
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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) |
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NEW YORK |
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Albany |
NFPA: Capital District Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.cdpa.info |
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Long Island |
NFPA: Long Island Paralegal Association | www.liparalegals.org |
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Manhattan |
NFPA:New York City Paralegal Association. | www.nyc-pa.org |
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Rochester |
NFPA: Paralegal Association of Rochester, Inc. | www.par.itgo.com |
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Western NY |
NFPA: Western New York Paralegal Association, Inc. | www.wnyparalegals.org |
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NORTH CAROLINA |
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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) |
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Charlotte |
NALA: Metrolina Paralegal Association | www.charlotteareaparalegals.com |
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Charlotte |
NALA: North Carolina Paralegal Association | www.ncparalegal.org Affiliates: Guilford Paralegal Association www.guilfordparalegalassociation.org Alamance Paralegal Association Asheville Area Paralegal Association Research Triangle Paralegal Association Raleigh Wake Paralegal Association Cumberland County Paralegal Association P.O. Box 2649, Fayetteville, NC (no website) |
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NORTH DAKOTA |
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Eastern ND |
NALA: Red River Valley Paralegal Association | www.rrvpa.org |
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Western ND |
NALA: Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants | www.wdala.org |
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OHIO |
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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 |
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Toledo |
NALA: Paralegal Association of Northwest Ohio | www.panonet.org |
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Cleveland |
NFPA: Cleveland Association of Paralegals | www.capohio.org |
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Dayton |
NFPA: Greater Dayton Paralegal Association | www.gdpa.org |
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Central OH |
NFPA: Paralegal Association of Central Ohio | www.pacoparalegals.org |
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Cincinnati* |
Cincinnati Paralegal Association (CPA) *Unaffiliated with any national paralegal organization. |
OKLAHOMA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Weatherford |
NALA: Oklahoma Paralegal Association | www.okparalegal.org |
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Tulsa |
NALA: Tulsa Association of Legal Assistants | www.tulsatala.org |
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OREGON |
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Portland |
NALA: Pacific Northwest Paralegal Association | www.pnpa.org |
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Portland |
NFPA: Oregon Paralegal Association | www.oregonparalegals.org |
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PENNSYLVANIA |
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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. |
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Harrisburg |
NFPA: Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association | home.comcast.net/~cppageneral/ |
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Philadelphia |
NFPA: Philadelphia Association of Paralegals | www.philaparalegals.com |
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Pittsburgh |
NFPA: Pittsburgh Paralegal Association | www.pghparalegals.org |
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RHODE ISLAND |
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Providence |
NFPA: Rhode Island Paralegal Association | http://paralegals.org/associations/2270/files/home149.html |
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SOUTH CAROLINA |
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Charleston |
NALA: Charleston Association of Legal Assistants | www.charlestonlegalassistants.org |
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Greenville |
NALA: South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association | www.scupa.org |
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Columbia |
NFPA: Palmetto Paralegal Association | www.ppasc.org |
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SOUTH DAKOTA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Sioux Falls |
NALA: South Dakota Paralegal Association | www.sdparalegals.com |
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Statewide |
NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver | www.rockymtnparalegal.org |
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TENNESSEE |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Memphis |
NALA: Greater Memphis Paralegal Alliance | www.memphisparalegals.org |
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Knoxville |
NALA: Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association | www.smparalegal.org |
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Chattanooga |
NALA: Tennessee Paralegal Association | www.tnparalegal.org |
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Nashville |
NFPA: Middle Tennessee Paralegal Association | www.mtpaonline.com |
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Memphis |
NFPA: Memphis Paralegal Association | www.memphisparalegalassociation.org |
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TEXAS |
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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) |
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Houston |
NALA: Houston Paralegal Association | www.houstonparalegalassociation.org |
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Austin |
NALA: Capitol Area Paralegal Association | www.capatx.org |
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El Paso |
NALA: El Paso Paralegal Association | www.elppa.org |
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Dallas |
NALA: North Texas Paralegal Association | www.ntparalegals.org |
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Dallas |
NFPA: Dallas Area Paralegal Association | www.dallasparalegals.org |
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UTAH |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Salt Lake City |
NALA: Legal Assistants Association of Utah | www.laau.info |
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Statewide |
NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver | www.rockymtnparalegal.org |
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VERMONT |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Burlington |
NFPA: Vermont Paralegal Organization | www.vtparalegal.org |
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VIRGINIA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Richmond |
NALA: Richmond Paralegal Association | www.richmondparalegals.org |
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Roanoke |
NALA: Roanoke Valley Paralegal Association | www.rvpa.org |
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WASHINGTON |
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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) |
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Seattle |
NFPA: Washington State Paralegal Association | www.wspaonline.com |
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WEST VIRGINIA |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Charleston |
NALA: Association of West Virginia Paralegals, Inc. | www.awvp.org |
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WISCONSIN |
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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. |
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Madison |
NALA: Madison Area Paralegal Association | www.madisonparalegal.org |
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Statewide* |
The Paralegal Association of Wisconsin *Unaffiliated with any national paralegal organization. |
WYOMING |
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Certification/Licensure Status: |
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Statewide |
NALA: Legal Assistants of Wyoming | www.lawyo.com |
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Statewide |
NFPA: Serviced by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association in Denver| www.rockymtnparalegal.org |
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