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Legal Credential Verification

How to Verify a Paralegal Certification

Paralegals are not licensed by the state in most jurisdictions, but several national certification programs signal verified competency. Here is how to verify paralegal credentials — and understand what you cannot verify.

· 6 min read

Quick answer

Paralegal practice is unregulated in most states — no state license is required. Verify voluntary national certifications through NALA (nala.org), NFPA (paralegals.org), or NALS (nals.org) depending on which credential the paralegal claims. Confirm degree and program accreditation separately.

The unregulated nature of paralegal practice

Unlike attorneys, paralegals are not licensed by state bars and there is no mandatory national credentialing requirement. Anyone can legally call themselves a paralegal in most U.S. states. This makes credential verification more dependent on voluntary certifications and educational background than on state licensing records.

California is the primary exception — it has a defined paralegal statute (Business and Professions Code §6450) that specifies education and supervision requirements for the title. However, even in California there is no state licensing board to query. The statute sets minimum qualifications; the responsibility for verifying compliance falls on the supervising attorney and employer.

National paralegal certifications

Three organizations issue the primary national paralegal certifications:

NALA — National Association of Legal Assistants

  • CP (Certified Paralegal): NALA's primary credential. Requires qualifying education or experience plus passage of the NALA CP examination. Verify at nala.org.
  • ACP (Advanced Paralegal Certification): Specialty certifications in areas such as contract management, trial practice, and discovery. Issued to CP holders.

NFPA — National Federation of Paralegal Associations

  • RP (Registered Paralegal): Entry-level credential requiring qualifying education and passage of the PACE examination. Verify at paralegals.org.
  • PP (Professional Paralegal): Advanced credential for experienced practitioners. Also verifiable at paralegals.org.

NALS — National Association for Legal Support Professionals

  • PLS (Professional Legal Secretary) / PP (Professional Paralegal): NALS credentials covering legal support and paralegal competency. Verify at nals.org.

Certification is voluntary — absence is not disqualifying

Many highly experienced paralegals do not hold any of these certifications. The absence of a NALA CP or NFPA RP credential does not mean a paralegal is unqualified. Focus on education, experience, and educational program accreditation as the primary verification factors alongside any claimed certifications.

Verifying paralegal certifications

Each organization maintains a credential verification directory:

  • NALA CP: Verify at nala.org — search the certified paralegal directory by name
  • NFPA RP/PP: Verify at paralegals.org — credential lookup tool
  • NALS PLS/PP: Verify at nals.org — member and credential directory

Confirm: credential type, active/current status, and that the name matches the candidate. All three certifications require continuing education for renewal — confirm the certification is not lapsed.

Education verification

For paralegal hires, education verification is often more meaningful than certification verification. Most employers look for:

  • An associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or legal assisting from an ABA-approved program
  • A bachelor's degree in any field plus a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program
  • A law degree (J.D.) — a J.D.-holder working as a paralegal does not need additional paralegal credentials

The American Bar Association (ABA) approves paralegal education programs. Verify that the paralegal's program was ABA-approved at the time of completion via the ABA's approved program list at americanbar.org.

Red flags

  • Claimed NALA CP, NFPA RP, or NALS credential not found in the issuing organization's directory
  • Degree from a non-ABA-approved paralegal program (especially online diploma mills)
  • Using the title “attorney,” “lawyer,” or “legal counsel” — unauthorized practice of law
  • In California: no qualifying degree or supervision arrangement as required by B&P §6450
  • Expired paralegal certification not disclosed

Verification checklist

  • 1. If CP claimed, verify at nala.org; if RP/PP claimed, verify at paralegals.org; if PLS claimed, verify at nals.org
  • 2. Verify the paralegal's degree via the issuing institution and confirm the program was ABA-approved
  • 3. For California positions, confirm compliance with Business and Professions Code §6450 qualifications
  • 4. Confirm the supervising attorney is an active member of the state bar
  • 5. Run a background check for positions with access to client funds or confidential records

Verify paralegal program accreditation

ABA-approved paralegal programs are the gold standard for paralegal education. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a school's paralegal program is ABA-approved and the institution is legitimate.

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