Top 10 Contract Attorney Certifications

Certifications are important for contract attorneys in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers value. Contract attorneys must be well-versed in the laws and regulations surrounding contracts, and certifications can help them stand out from other applicants. Certifications also show employers that an attorney has taken the time to learn about their area of expertise and is committed to staying current with developments in contract law. Additionally, certifications can give a contract attorney a competitive edge when looking for employment opportunities because employers know that certified attorneys have completed rigorous training requirements and can handle complex legal matters efficiently.

The purpose of this article is to review top certifications for Contract Attorneys and explain how they can benefit a contract attorney's career.

What are Contract Attorney Certifications?

Contract attorney certification is a credential that can be earned by practicing attorneys who specialize in contract law. The certification is awarded by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), an independent, non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice of contract management. By obtaining the NCMA's Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) credential, attorneys demonstrate their mastery of and commitment to the field of contract law.

Contract attorney certification provides numerous benefits for attorneys and their clients. It gives them a competitive edge in their legal practice by demonstrating mastery and expertise in this specialized area of law. It also allows them to provide higher quality legal services and more value to their clients by helping ensure that contracts are drafted according to best practices and industry standards. Additionally, it helps attorneys gain recognition among colleagues and potential employers, as well as providing access to exclusive resources such as networking opportunities with other professionals with similar interests, continuing education courses on contract law topics, and job postings from leading employers seeking certified contract lawyers. Ultimately, attaining this certification can help attorneys better serve their clients while also helping them further develop their own career prospects.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements and the process for contract attorney certification in the jurisdiction where you plan to practice. Each jurisdiction has different laws and regulations governing contract attorneys, so it is important to understand all of the requirements before beginning the certification process.

Related: What does a Contract Attorney do?

Top 10 Contract Attorney Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Contract Attorneys today.

1. Certified Contract Law Specialist (CCLS)

Certified Contract Law Specialist (CCLS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the area of contract law. The CCLS program is offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).

In order to become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as contract formation, negotiation, performance, remedies, dispute resolution, and other related areas. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CCLS certification program, applicants must have at least five years of experience in contract management or related fields. Applicants must also possess either a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

The cost of the CCLS certification program varies depending on whether you are an NCMA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $395; for non-members it is $495. This fee includes access to the online study materials and practice exams as well as the actual exam itself.

Once certified, individuals can use the CCLS designation on their resume and business cards to demonstrate their expertise in contract law.

2. Certified Public Contract Lawyer (CPCLL)

A Certified Public Contract Lawyer (CPCLL) is a lawyer who has been certified by the National Association of Public Contract Lawyers (NAPCL). This certification is designed to recognize attorneys with a high level of expertise in public contract law. To become a CPCLL, an attorney must have at least five years of experience in public contract law, pass a rigorous written examination, and demonstrate a commitment to continuing education in the field.

It typically takes approximately two years to complete all the requirements necessary to become a CPCLL. The first step is to meet the educational and experience requirements. An applicant must have graduated from an accredited law school and have at least five years of experience in public contract law. Once these requirements are met, an applicant can register for the CPCLL exam.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as federal procurement laws, state procurement laws, and ethics related to public contracts. After passing the exam, applicants must submit evidence of their commitment to continuing education in public contract law before they can be officially certified as a CPCLL.

The cost for taking the CPCLL exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $500-$1000. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining continuing education credits required for certification renewal every three years.

3. Certified Government Contract Lawyer (CGCL)

Certified Government Contract Lawyer (CGCL) is a professional certification program offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). The CGCL certification is designed to recognize and promote the highest levels of professional competence and ethical conduct in the practice of government contract law.

It takes approximately 12-18 months to complete the requirements for CGCL certification. To become certified, applicants must have a minimum of five years' experience in government contracts and must pass an examination administered by NCMA. They must also submit letters of recommendation from two senior attorneys who are familiar with their work, as well as a statement of qualifications that outlines their experience in government contract law.

The cost for the CGCL certification program is $1,500 for members of NCMA and $2,000 for non-members. This fee covers all materials, including the exam preparation course and study guide, as well as access to online resources such as webinars and practice exams.

4. Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)

Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). It is designed to recognize individuals with expertise in federal contracting and to promote the highest standards of professional excellence in the field. The CFCM certification is sought after by government contractors, federal acquisition professionals, and those who wish to demonstrate their knowledge of federal contracting regulations and best practices.

To be eligible for the CFCM certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in federal contracts management or related activities. They must also pass an exam that covers topics such as contract types, negotiation strategies, cost accounting principles, and ethics.

The exam can be taken online or in-person at a testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether it is taken online or in person; online exams typically cost between $400-$500 while in-person exams usually cost around $600-$700. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their CFCM certification within two weeks. The certification must be renewed every three years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam. There is no fee associated with renewing the certification.

5. Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)

Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). It is designed to provide contract professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage commercial contracts.

The CCCM program consists of two parts: a comprehensive online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as contract law, negotiation, risk management, dispute resolution, and more. It takes approximately 30 hours to complete the course.

To get certified, candidates must pass a proctored exam at an NCMA testing center or through ProctorU. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass.

The cost of the CCCM certification program varies depending on whether you are an NCMA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $495; for non-members, it is $595.

6. Certified International Contracts Manager (CICM)

Certified International Contracts Manager (CICM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in contract management, and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this field.

The CICM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that tests their understanding of contract management principles, processes, and best practices. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as legal concepts, negotiation strategies, risk management, dispute resolution, and more. To be eligible for the CICM exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in contract management or related fields.

The CICM exam typically takes about two hours to complete. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certification within four to six weeks.

The cost of taking the CICM exam varies depending on where you take it. In most cases, it costs around $400 USD.

7. Certified Construction Contracts Manager (CCCM)

Certified Construction Contracts Manager (CCCM) is a professional certification program offered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill in the areas of contract management, project delivery methods, and construction law.

The CCCM program consists of three courses: Contract Administration, Project Delivery Methods, and Construction Law. The courses are offered online or through self-study materials. After completing the courses, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam to become certified.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CCCM program. The cost for the program varies depending on whether you choose to take the online or self-study option. Online course fees range from $1,495-$2,295 depending on which package you choose. Self-study materials range from $595-$995 depending on which package you choose.

To get certified as a CCCM, you must first complete all three required courses and pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will be issued your official CCCM certificate and can start using your credential professionally.

8. Certified Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Professional (CNDRP)

Certified Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Professional (CNDRP) is a professional certification program that provides specialized training in negotiation and dispute resolution. The CNDRP program is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively resolve disputes in a variety of contexts. It focuses on the principles of negotiation theory, as well as practical strategies for successful negotiations.

The CNDRP program typically takes six months to complete. During this time, participants will learn about the fundamentals of negotiation, conflict management, dispute resolution techniques, and more. Participants will also be required to complete a series of assessments throughout the course.

To get certified as a CNDRP, you must first complete an accredited training program or course offered by an approved institution. After completing the coursework and assessments, you must then pass an examination administered by the International Institute for Conflict Resolution (IICR). Once you have passed this exam, you will be eligible for certification as a CNDRP.

The cost of becoming certified as a CNDRP varies depending on which institution offers the training program or course that you choose to take. Generally speaking, however, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 USD for all associated fees including tuition costs and examination fees.

9. Advanced Certificate in Contract Management (ACCM)

The Advanced Certificate in Contract Management (ACCM) is a professional certification program designed to help experienced contract professionals develop their skills and knowledge of the contract management process. This program is offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).

The ACCM consists of three courses: Fundamentals of Contract Management, Advanced Principles of Contract Management, and Professional Practices in Contract Management. Each course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of contract management and how to apply them in practice. The courses are taught by experienced instructors who have extensive experience in the field.

The program takes approximately six months to complete and requires a minimum of 120 hours of study time. Students must pass all three courses in order to be eligible for the ACCM certification.

In order to get the ACCM certification, students must first register with NCMA and pay a fee. The cost for registration varies depending on which package you choose, but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD. After registering, students will receive access to online learning materials and can begin studying for their exams at any time.

Once all three courses have been completed, students must then take an exam administered by NCMA that covers all aspects of contract management. If they pass this exam, they will receive their ACCM certification from NCMA.

10. Certificate in Advanced Contract Administration and Negotiation (CACAN).

Certificate in Advanced Contract Administration and Negotiation (CACAN) is a professional certification program offered by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). It is designed to equip contract professionals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively manage and negotiate complex contracts.

The CACAN program consists of four courses: Introduction to Advanced Contract Administration, Negotiations Theory and Practice, Advanced Contract Law, and Advanced Contract Performance Management. The courses are offered both online and in-person. Each course takes approximately 10 hours to complete.

To obtain the CACAN certification, you must complete all four courses within two years of enrolling in the program. You will also need to pass a final exam for each course with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the CACAN program varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically cost between $400-$600 per course, while in-person courses can range from $1,000-$2,500 per course. In addition to these costs, there is an application fee of $100 and an exam fee of $125 for each course.

Do You Really Need a Contract Attorney Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their circumstances. For those who are considering a career as a contract attorney, obtaining a certificate may be beneficial in demonstrating knowledge of the relevant legal principles and could lead to increased job opportunities. However, for those who are already established in the profession or simply wish to gain a better understanding of contract law, it may not be necessary to obtain a certificate.

In any case, taking courses related to contract law can be very beneficial. Learning about the different types of contracts and negotiating techniques can help provide an edge when working with clients. In addition, such courses can provide an opportunity to network with other professionals in the field, which can lead to new business opportunities.

Finally, if someone is considering taking on contract work as part of their practice, they should consider consulting with an experienced attorney before signing any agreements. An experienced attorney will be able to advise them on what types of contracts are best suited for their particular situation and how they should be structured. This advice could save time and money in the long run by ensuring that all parties understand their rights and obligations under the agreement.

In conclusion, whether or not someone needs a contract attorney certificate depends largely on their own circumstances and goals. Those just starting out in their careers may find it helpful to obtain one but more experienced professionals may not need one if they have already developed an understanding of contract law through experience or coursework.

Related: Contract Attorney Resume Examples

FAQs About Contract Attorney Certifications

Q1. What is a Contract Attorney Certification?

A1. A Contract Attorney Certification is a certification program designed to provide attorneys with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in contract law. The certification provides an understanding of the fundamental principles of contract law, as well as an understanding of how to draft and negotiate contracts.

Q2. How do I obtain a Contract Attorney Certification?

A2. To obtain a Contract Attorney Certification, you must complete an educational program that covers all aspects of contract law, including drafting and negotiating contracts, understanding the legal implications of contracts, and other related topics. You must also take and pass an exam administered by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Q3. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Contract Attorney Certification?

A3. Yes, you must have at least three years' experience practicing law in order to qualify for the certification exam administered by the ABA. Additionally, you must have completed additional coursework or training related to contract law.

Q4. How long does it take to receive my Contract Attorney Certification?

A4. After successfully completing the educational coursework and passing the ABA examination, it typically takes between four and six weeks for your certification to be processed and issued by the ABA.

Q5. Is there any continuing education required after obtaining my Contract Attorney Certification?

A5. Yes, in order to maintain your certification status with the ABA, you must complete at least 15 hours of continuing education credits every two years in topics related to contract law or other areas of legal practice related to contract law.