Certification
Fact Sheet
February, 2010
California Advanced Specialist
(CAS)
The CAS is a voluntary professional certification
program that focuses on California laws and procedures.
The courses are curriculum based online assessments that
allow participants to learn a narrow legal specialty
area with the help of interactive study materials in the
comfort of the participant’s home or office. A
curriculum-based model assumes that participants will
discuss course material and consult outside sources,
including colleagues, reference books, and practice area
experts. The focus is on education and learning specific
subject matter rather than testing. The CAS program is
intended to encourage a high level of achievement and
provide recognition to paralegals who have earned the
CAS credential.
Administration
The Commission for Advanced California Paralegal
Specialization, Inc. (CACPS), a non-profit California
corporation, is responsible for the design and content
of the CAS program. The board of directors of CACPS is
composed of experienced paralegals, attorneys, paralegal
educators, and paralegal managers.
In 2005, CACPS entered into a Web Server Usage Contract
with the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.,
(NALA), whereby NALA agreed to offer California specific
courses in conjunction with NALA’s Advanced Paralegal
Certification (APC) program using NALA’s existing web
platform and awarding the APC, combination APC and CAS,
or CAS credential to qualified Certified Legal
Assistants/Paralegals.
Courses
The CAS program courses are offered in one of
possible two formats:
-
Stand-alone CAS: A paralegal with a valid
CLA/CP credential from NALA may participate in a
stand-alone CAS. These stand-alone CAS courses
consist of 10-20 modules. The courses are designed
as a presentation of text, slides and interactive
tests. In addition, each course offers module
tests, and exercises.
-
Combination APC and CAS: A paralegal with a
valid CLA/CP credential from NALA may participate in
a combination APC and CAS program. The CLA/CP must
first earn the ACP credential before earning the CAS
in that same specialty area. For example, a CLA/CP
may take the APC in Discovery and then the CAS in
Discovery. The CAS portion consists of three to five
modules and highlights the difference between
federal and California law and procedure.
Paralegals with a valid CLA/CP credential from NALA
who successfully complete the CAS program, whether
stand-alone or combination, will be awarded the
credential California Advanced Specialist. The
stand-alone courses are about 20 hours in length,
while the combination courses are about 10 hours.
The actual length of time spent on the courses will
vary based on the participant's level of
understanding of the material. The courses
require additional reading materials and research.
CAS programs are now offered in the following
areas:
Programs scheduled to begin shortly include:
- Corporations
- Probate
- Trust Administration
- Trial Practice
Eligibility
CLE Credit for CAS Modules
Registration and Fees
