NFPA PACE-RP (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam - Registered Paralegal) Eligibility Requirements

At the time this page was created, no state requires a certification or exam to practice as a paralegal. What the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) PACE Exam does is create a measurable competency scale to evaluate those paralegals that have been in practice for more than two years. PACE Exam results can allow a paralegal's employer to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the paralegal's skills. The exam results can also serve as an evaluation tool during the paralegal hiring process.

The following requirements are neccesary for eligibility to sit for the NFPA PACE Exam (Source: NFPA, www.paralegals.org)

1) An associates degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutionally accredited school, and/or ABA approved paralegal education program; and six (6) years substantive paralegal experience; OR

2) A bachelor's degree in any course of study obtained from an institutionally accredited school and three (3) years of substantive paralegal experience; OR

3) A bachelor's degree and completion of a paralegal program with an institutionally accredited school, said paralegal program may be embodied in a bachelor's degree; and two (2) years substantive paralegal experience; OR

4) Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience on or before December 31, 2000.

The paralegal cannot have been convicted of a felony nor be under suspension, termination, or revocation of a certificate, registration, or license by any entity.

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