Each state is unique in what is required to work as a Paralegal. I would advise everyone to find out what their state requirements are.

The following requirements are for the state of Texas:

On April 21, 2006, the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors approved amending this definition by including the following "STANDARDS," which are intended to assist the public in obtaining quality legal services, assist attorneys in their utilization of paralegals, and assist judges in determining whether paralegal work is a reimbursable cost when granting attorney fees:

A. Support for Education, Training, and Work Experience:

1. Attorneys are encouraged to promote:

a. paralegal attendance at continuing legal education programs;
b. paralegal board certification through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS);
c. certification through a national paralegal organization such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA); and
d. membership in the Paralegal Division of the State Bar and/or local paralegal organizations.

2. In hiring paralegals and determining whether they possess the requisite education, attorneys are encouraged to consider the following:

a. A specialty certification conferred by TBLS; or
b. A CLA/CP certification conferred by NALA.; or
c. A PACE certification conferred by NFPA; or
d. A bachelor's or higher degree in any field together with a minimum of one (1) year of employment experience performing substantive legal work under the direct supervision of a duly licensed attorney AND completion of 15 hours of Continuing Legal Education within that year; or
e. A certificate of completion from an ABA-approved program of education and training for paralegals; or
f. A certificate of completion from a paralegal program administered by any college or university accredited or approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its equivalent in another state.

3. Although it is desirable that an employer hire a paralegal who has received legal instruction from a formal education program, the State Bar recognizes that some paralegals are nevertheless qualified if they received their training through previous work experience. In the event an applicant does not meet the educational criteria, it is suggested that only those applicants who have obtained a minimum of four (4) years previous work experience in performing substantive legal work, as that term is defined below, be considered a paralegal

Thank you that will be so useful

Hi Doug,

The marketing is a great idea! 

Make sure you email (so you have the response in writing) to make sure an Ashworth degree makes you eligible to sit for the exam.

Best wishes,

Heather

Heather Bond

Paralegal Studies Instructor

Ashworth College

kturne200 wrote:

 

hi! how do i join the paralegal group?

If you are looking to become a member of a paralegal organization, one of the most affordable is the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAPI), which is a national organization. They offer an associate membership (for students) for $20 per year (membership dues). Once you obtain experience, you could then become a full member (also $20 per year). They also offer a paralegal certification leading to the AACP designation.

http://www.aapipara.org/

Keep in mind though that "all" of the certifications being offered by paralegal organizations are "non-accredited" and that the vast majority of working paralegals are not certified. Nor do most employers even know the difference between a "certificated" paralegal and a "certified" paralegal. One possible reason is that there are too many different paralegal certifications out there, for example:

NALA (CLA, CP, ACP); NFPA (PACE RP); NALS (PP); AAPI (AACP); Delaware Paralegal Association (DCP); etc.

Paralegal certifications should not be confused with other professional certifications that come with “specific rights” to work in a field, such as nurses (CNAs, RNs, LVNs, NPs); accountants (CPAs); Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT-Basic and EMT-I); and Paramedics (EMT-P), et cetera.

Unlike most other professional certifications, paralegals are “not required” to be certified to work for a lawyer, law firm or other paralegal position. Like anything else, you should shop around for the best membership that fits your individual career plans and objectives.

In short, no certification trumps a paralegal credential issued by an accredited school, such as the one you will receive from Ashworth.