Certification

Exams and Study Information

Our national affiliate, NALS, Inc., offers three certification exams.  The following outlines information about the ALS...the basic certification for legal professionals, PLS...the advanced certification for legal professionals, and Professional Paralegal (PP) designations.  We hope you will take advantage of these outstanding professional enhancement programs.

One way to demonstrate your preparedness for the demanding field of law is by becoming an ALSŪ.  This designation is awarded after passing a four-hour, three part examination.  Attaining this goal demonstrates your commitment and aptitude for succeeding in the ever-changing legal environment.

The ALSŪ Examination:

• demonstrates ability to perform business communication tasks;

• gauges ability to maintain office records and calendars, and prioritize multiple tasks when given real life scenarios;

• measures understanding of office equipment and related procedures;

• denotes aptitude for understanding legal terminology, legal complexities, and supporting documents;

• assessed recognition of accounting terms in order to solve accounting problems; and

• appraises knowledge of law office protocol as prescribed by ethical codes.

ALSŪ Exam Eligibility

To sit for the examination, you must have completed one of the following: 

• an accredited office curriculum course,

• the NALS Legal Training Course, or

• the NALS Legal Training Course, or

• one year of general office experience.

Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

The Exam Covers

Part 1:  Written Communications;
Part 2:  Office Procedures and Legal Knowledge; and
Part 3:  Ethics, Human Relations, and Judgment.

Examination Guidelines

All three parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt.  If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, you may retake the examination parts you did not pass.  All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.  You will be charged the full exam fee each time you sit.

Those passing the exam will receive a certification which is valid for five years.

Certification may be extended through continuing education, based on NALS guidelines, for one year.

Examination Dates

March:  First Saturday (after the first Friday)
June:  First Saturday*
July:  In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July
September:  Last Saturday
December:  First Saturday*

Application Deadlines

March:  Postmarked by January 1
June:  Postmarked by April 15*
July:  Postmarked by June 15
September:  Postmarked by August 1
December:  Postmarked by October 15*

*June and December testing are for those who've completed the Basic or Advanced NALS Legal Training Course.

Examination Fees

Transfer/Refund Policy

You may transfer your examination or retake fee once per payment; the fee, less a 25% processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the examination.  If the fee is transferred, no refund is then available for that payment.

Preparing for the Exam

ALS Resource Manual  -- the ALSŪ Resource Manual is designed to help you achieve the ALS designation.  It contains information about the program, including an application to take the exam, an overview of the topics covered by each part, and the primary and secondary reference lists as additional study guides.  The manual can be used for studying alone, with a study group, or by an instructor preparing lesson plans.   Order this manual from NALS, Inc.

NALS Basic Legal Training Course -- Many states and local chapters sponsor the NALS Legal Training Course.  This course emulates a classroom study style in preparing for the exam.  Contact your state or local chapter for more information on a course in your area.

ALS Extension Guidelines

For information go to www.nals.org.

PLS . . . an advanced certification for legal professionalsŪ --

A Professional Goal

How do your skills compare with the hallmark of a professional?  PLSŪ is the designation for lawyer's assistants who want to be identified as exceptional.   Certification is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination which demonstrates not only dedication to professionalism but acceptance of the challenge to be exceptional.  Personal motivation is necessary to attain such a goal.

The purpose of the examination is to certify a lawyer's assistant as a person who possesses:

• a mastery of office skills

• the ability to interact on a professional level with attorneys, clients, and other support staff

• the discipline to assume responsibility and exercise initiative and judgment, and

• a working knowledge of procedural law, the law library, and how to prepare legal documents.

PLSŪ Examination Eligibility

Any person who has had three years' experience in the legal field may take the examination.  Membership in NALS is not a requirement.  A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALSŪ exam, or other certifications.  The maximum waiver is one year.

The PLSŪ Certification Exam Covers

Part 1:  Written Communications
Part 2:  Office Procedures and Technology
Part 3:  Ethics and Judgment
Part 4:  Legal Knowledge and Skills

Examination Guidelines

All four parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt.  If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, but do pass one or more parts, you may retake the part (or parts) you failed.  All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.

Those passing the exam will receive a certification which is valid for five years.   Re-certification is required every five years and may be achieve through the accumulation of continuing legal education hours and activities.

Examination Dates

March:  First Saturday
July:  In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July
September:  Last Saturday

Application Deadlines

March:  Postmarked by January 1
July:  Postmarked by June 15
September:  Postmarked by August 1

Examination Fees

For the initial examination:  Members - $150; Nonmembers - $200
For part retakes:  Members - $40 per part; Nonmembers - $50 per part

Transfer/Refund Policy

You may transfer your examination or retake fee once per payment; the fee, less a 25% processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the examination.  If the fee is transferred, no refund is then available for that payment.

Preparing for the Exam

PLSŪ Resource Manual -- The PLSŪ Resource Manual is designed to help you achieve the goal of becoming a Certified PLS.  It contains information about the program, including an application to take the exam, an overview of the topics covered by each part, and the primary and secondary reference lists for additional study guides.  The manual can be used for studying alone, with a group, or by an instructor preparing lesson plans.

NALS Advanced Legal Training Course -- Many state and local chapters sponsor the NALS Legal Training Course.  This course emulates a classroom study style in preparing for the exam.

Recertification

For information go to www.nals.org.

  Professional Paralegal Certification

PP Examination Eligibility:

Five years' experience performing paralegal/legal assistant duties (a candidate may receive a partial waiver of one year if he or she has a post-secondary degree, other certification, or a paralegal certificate; a candidate with a paralegal degree may receive a two-year partial waiver).

The NALS Professional Paralegal certification will be valid for five years. Recertification will require 75 hours of CLE. Recertification is mandatory to remain certified.

Examination Guidelines:

All four parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt with the exception of current PLS's in which only Part 4 in Substantive Law is needed.  If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, but do pass one or more parts, you may retake the part (or parts) you failed. All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.

Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years.  Recertification is required every five years and may be achieved through the accumulation of continuing legal education hours and activities.

The Exam Covers:

 Part 1 -- Written Communications
 Part 2 -- Legal Knowledge and Skills
 Part 3 -- Ethics and Judgment Skills
 Part 4 -- Substantive Law

Examination Dates:

March:  First Saturday
July:  In conjunction with the regional conferences held in July
September:  Last Saturday

Examination Fees:

If currently a PLS, the fee is $150 for members and $200 for non-members Non-PLS Fee is $200 for members and $250 for non-members.  Retake fees are $50 per part for members and $60 per part for non-members.  Recertification is $75.

Preparing for the Exam:

Books for Current PLSs:

Basic Manual for the Lawyer's Assistant, 9th Edition
Advanced Manual for the Lawyer's Assistant, 8th Edition
West's Paralegal Today:  The Legal Team at Work, 4th Edition

Books for Non-PLSs:

Basic Manual for the Lawyer's Assistant, 9th Edition
Advanced Manual for the Lawyer's Assistant, 8th Edition
Professional Responsibility, 7th Edition
Gregg Reference Manual, 10th Edition
Bluebook:  Uniform System of Citations, 18th Edition
West's Paralegal Today:  The Legal Team at Work, 4th Edition

Recertification:

For information go to www.nals.org.

For more information, contact:

Certification Department
NALS Resource Center
8159 East 41st Street
Tulsa OK  74145
(918) 582-5188
Fax:  (918) 582-5907
E-Mail:  price@nals.org

or

NALS of Arizona Certification Chairman Edward W. Pavese, Certified PLS.