Certification Fact Sheet - Page 2
 February, 2010

Eligibility

The CAS certification programs are written with the understanding that the paralegal seeking advanced certification has already earned the CLA/CP credential and has demonstrated knowledge and skills in the areas of written communications, legal research, ethics, judgment and legal analysis, and the American legal system, as well as four areas of substantive law. 

Each certification program will include a statement of assumed knowledge, which specifies the knowledge that a paralegal working in a specific practice area should have before seeking advanced certification.   

Paralegals with a valid CLA/CP credential from NALA seeking the CAS credential are required to:

  • Complete and submit a CACPS learning contract as part of the registration process. The CACPS Board needs to know if the participant intends to seek the CAS certification

  • Complete all course modules and module tests with a minimum score of 90% correct

  • Complete all course modules and exercises within 90 days of enrollment. The courses are designed to influence learning. Participants may take the module tests as many times as necessary to reach the required score

  • Submit a Statement of Completion to the CACPS board.

The Statement of Completion alerts the CACPS board that the participant has completed the course and starts the process of issuing the credential. The Statement of Completion is due within 30 days of course completion.

A CAS course is not complete without fulfilling each of the above requirements. The required forms may be completed and submitted online. They are available on the Course Library and on APC’s website at  www.nala.org/apcweb. 

Paralegals who do not hold the CLA/CP credential are welcome to participate in the CAS program, but the CAS credential will not be awarded. If the paralegal earns the CLA/CP credential within one year of completing the CAS program, the CAS credential may be awarded.

CLE credit for CAS Modules

In addition to earning the CAS credential, upon completion of the CAS course, Certified Legal Assistants/Paralegals may also receive continuing legal education credit toward maintenance of the CLA/CP credential as follows:

  • Stand alone CAS earns 20 CLE credits

  • Combination CAS earns 5 CLE credits

Registration and Fees CAS

  • $150 stand alone CAS

  • $75 for combination ACP/CAS (the CAS registration fee is separate and apart from the registration fee required by NALA to participate in a ACP course)

Registration is offered online at the APC website www.nala.org/apcweb.  The CAS credential is valid for five years from date of the statement of completion.  NALA headquarters will issue new certificates to qualified paralegals every five years.

The CLE education requirements for the CAS are the same as those for the CLA/CP credential.  Paralegals with the advanced certification credential have already achieved the CLA/CP certification credential.  To maintain the CLA/CP, certified paralegals must participate in a minimum of 50 hours of continuing legal education programs every five years.  If a certified paralegal fails to maintain the CLA/CP credential, the paralegal will also loose the advanced certification. Paralegals do not need to earn any additional CLE to maintain the CAS credential. Paralegals should continue to submit proof of CLE requirements for the CLA/CP credential to NALA headquarters.

 

Questions

For any questions regarding the CAS program, please email catherine.durgin@gmail.com