he California Advanced Specialty program was created in 1994, through an agreement between the National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”) and the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (“CAPA”). The Commission for Advanced California Paralegal Specialization, Inc. (hereafter the “Commission”) was created as the entity to oversee, develop and implement the California Advanced Specialist Examination Program in order to certify qualifying paralegals as having advanced knowledge in a specialty area of law based on California statutory and procedural requirements and case law.  The Commission works closely with both NALA and CAPA to implement the goals of paralegals in California to maintain a paralegal advanced certification program.   

Professional Certification is a critical and important step in the career growth process.  For the legal professional, this process has proven itself as a means of identifying qualified law office personnel for over twenty years.  The Commission adopted a mission statement in 1995 to provide a voluntary, uniform professional credential for those demonstrating an advanced knowledge of California law and procedures; and to enhance the quality of services available from California paralegals and/or legal assistants to the legal community and to the public which is served.

CAS Trademark:  The trademark approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for those certified by the California specialty exam is California Advanced Specialist (CAS).  CAS is also a service mark duly registered with the state of California.  Only those who achieve this distinction can use this prestigious title.

The Commission for Advanced California Paralegal Specialization and the National Association of Legal Assistants are responsible for content, standards and administration of the California Advanced Specialist program.  The Commission is comprised of legal assistants who have achieved the California Advanced Specialist credential and/or the Certified Legal Assistant credential, attorneys, and legal assistant educators.  The National Association of Legal Assistants pioneered the Certified Legal Assistant program in 1976 and successful examinees are awarded the CLA designation. It is a well recognized mark of outstanding achievement and is the basis of qualification for advanced paralegal specialization testing.

In the technical areas of statistical analyses, examination construction, reliability and validity tests, the Commission utilizes the expertise of the National Association of Legal Assistants and professional consulting firms offering expertise in these areas as well as in occupational research.  Technical analyses of the CAS specialty examinations are conducted on an ongoing basis to ensure the integrity of the examination.  Content analyses of the test design, accuracy of questions, and topic/subject mix for each exam section are ongoing processes of the Certifying Board of the National Association of Legal Assistants and the Commission.  The Commission also utilizes the occupational data available through surveys of legal assistants and other means, including review of textbooks and research within the field of legal assistant education.  Thus, the Commission is assured that the examination reflects and responds to work-place realities and demands.