Top 10 Law Office Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a law office assistant in the job market because they demonstrate that an individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in their field and is qualified to perform the required duties. Certifications provide employers with assurance that an individual possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively do the job. In addition, certifications can help open up new career opportunities for law office assistants who wish to specialize in a specific area or move into higher-level positions. Furthermore, certifications may offer access to professional networks and resources that can help further develop an individual’s professional development and career prospects.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the various certifications available to Law Office Assistants and explain how they can enhance their career prospects.

What are Law Office Assistant Certifications?

Law Office Assistant Certification is an industry-recognized credential that proves a person's competency in handling legal assistant duties. It is designed to demonstrate mastery of the essential skills required to work effectively and efficiently as a law office assistant. The certification is offered through several organizations, including the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

The certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees. For employers, having certified employees demonstrates their commitment to providing quality service to clients and shows that they are taking steps to ensure their staff has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their job properly. For employees, it serves as proof of their competence in legal assistant tasks, making them more attractive candidates for potential employers. Additionally, having a law office assistant certification can open up opportunities for career advancement within the field or even promotion into higher positions such as paralegals or other legal professionals.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a law office assistant certification, be sure to research the certifying body and ensure that their program is accredited. This will help ensure that you are receiving the best education and training for your certification.

Related: What does a Law Office Assistant do?

Top 10 Law Office Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Law Office Assistants today.

1. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

A Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification that recognizes an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the legal field. The certification is awarded by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and resources to legal professionals.

To become a CLS, an individual must pass the NALS Certification Exam. This exam consists of two parts: a written portion and an oral portion. The written portion covers topics such as legal terminology, document preparation, office procedures, and ethics. The oral portion tests the individual’s ability to communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, and other legal professionals.

The exam typically takes about four hours to complete and costs $150 for NALS members or $200 for non-members. Once the exam has been passed, individuals must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education credits every two years in order to maintain their certification status.

Overall, becoming a CLS requires dedication and hard work but can be extremely rewarding for those who are passionate about working in the legal field.

2. Certified Paralegal (CP)

A Certified Paralegal (CP) is a professional designation given to paralegals who have met certain educational and experience requirements, passed a comprehensive exam, and agreed to abide by a code of ethics. The certification is offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), a non-profit organization that provides education and resources for paralegals.

To become a Certified Paralegal, an individual must meet the following criteria:

1. Have at least two years of full-time paralegal experience or its equivalent;

2. Successfully complete an approved paralegal program or its equivalent;

3. Pass the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam; and

4. Agree to abide by the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

The NALA exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, contracts, corporate law, real estate law, family law, criminal law, torts and ethics. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $300 for NALA members or $400 for non-members. Once an individual has passed the exam they will receive their CP designation from NALA and be able to use the title “Certified Paralegal” in their professional work.

3. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification for secretaries, administrative assistants, and other office professionals. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The certification recognizes the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in an administrative role.

To become certified as a CPS, applicants must have at least three years of full-time office experience or five years of part-time office experience. They must also pass an exam administered by the IAAP that covers topics such as business communication, technology, project management, customer service, human resources management, and financial management.

The cost of taking the CPS exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$350. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes about four hours to complete. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CPS certification within two weeks.

4. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals in the workplace. The CAP exam is composed of four sections: Office Administration, Business Writing & Communication, Technology Applications, and Human Resources & Management.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to prepare for the CAP exam. To get started on your journey to becoming a Certified Administrative Professional, you must first become an IAAP member and register for the exam. Once registered, you will receive study materials from IAAP which will help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the CAP exam varies depending on your IAAP membership status. For non-members, it costs $425 USD; for members, it costs $325 USD. In addition to this fee, there may be additional fees associated with studying for or taking the exam such as purchasing study guides or practice tests.

5. Certified Court Reporter (CCR)

Certified Court Reporter (CCR) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have met the highest standards of court reporting accuracy and speed. The certification is granted by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), which sets the criteria for certification.

To become certified, an individual must pass a written exam and demonstrate proficiency in both machine shorthand and voice writing. The written exam covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, legal terminology, and court reporting procedures. To demonstrate proficiency in machine shorthand or voice writing, an individual must pass a timed test at speeds of 200 words per minute or higher.

The process of becoming certified typically takes several months to complete. It is important to note that while some states may require CCR certification for certain court reporting positions, it is not required in all states.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the state in which you live and the type of certification you are seeking. Generally speaking, the cost can range from $100 to $400 or more depending on the specific requirements for your state or jurisdiction.

6. National Association of Legal Assistants Paralegal Certification (NALA-PC)

The National Association of Legal Assistants Paralegal Certification (NALA-PC) is a voluntary certification program offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). The NALA-PC is designed to recognize paralegals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill in the field. It is also intended to promote professional development and provide a standard for employers to evaluate potential employees.

To obtain the NALA-PC, applicants must first meet certain educational requirements, such as completing an approved paralegal program or having at least two years of full-time experience as a paralegal. Applicants must then pass an examination administered by NALA. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as legal research, ethics, litigation, contracts, real estate law and other areas relevant to the practice of law.

Once applicants have passed the exam, they must complete continuing education credits every two years in order to maintain their certification. This ensures that certified paralegals stay up-to-date on changes in the legal field.

The cost for taking the NALA-PC exam varies depending on whether you are a member or nonmember of NALA. For members, it costs $225 while nonmembers pay $325. The cost for continuing education credits also varies depending on how many credits you need and which courses you take.

Overall, obtaining the NALA-PC can take several months depending on how quickly you complete your educational requirements and pass the exam. However, once you have obtained your certification it can be beneficial in terms of career advancement opportunities and higher salaries.

7. Legal Office Specialist Certificate Program (LOSCP)

The Legal Office Specialist Certificate Program (LOSCP) is a comprehensive program designed to prepare individuals for a career in the legal field. The program consists of courses covering topics such as legal terminology, legal research, and various computer applications used in the legal industry. It also includes a hands-on internship with a law firm or other legal organization.

The LOSCP typically takes between six months and one year to complete. During this time, students take classes and participate in an internship that provides them with real-world experience in the field. In order to get the certificate, students must pass all of the required courses and receive passing grades on their internship evaluations.

To get the LOSCP, students must first apply to an accredited school or college that offers the program. Once accepted into the program, students will need to complete all of the required coursework and internships before they can receive their certificate.

The cost of getting a LOSCP varies depending on where you attend school and how long it takes you to complete your studies. Generally speaking, most programs range from $5,000-$10,000 for tuition and fees.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification for Law Offices

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification for Law Offices is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications. It is designed to help law offices and their staff become more proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

The MOS certification exam covers a wide range of topics related to the use of Microsoft Office applications in a law office setting. The exam includes questions on creating documents, formatting text and tables, creating graphics, working with formulas and functions in Excel, using mail merge features in Word and PowerPoint presentations.

The MOS certification exam typically takes about two hours to complete. To get certified, you must pass the MOS certification exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points. You can take the exam at any authorized testing center or online through the Microsoft website.

The cost of taking the MOS certification exam varies depending on where you take it and which version of Microsoft Office you are certifying for. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 USD per exam.

9. Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program

A Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program is a post-secondary program that prepares students for entry-level positions in the legal field. This program typically takes six months to one year to complete, depending on the school and program chosen. It covers topics such as legal terminology, document preparation, court procedures, and other administrative tasks.

In order to get a certificate in this field, students must first complete an accredited program at an approved college or university. The cost of the program will vary depending on the institution and type of coursework required. Generally speaking, most programs range from $2,000-$4,000 for tuition and fees.

Once the coursework is completed, students must then pass a certification exam in order to receive their certificate. The exam is administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and consists of both written and oral components. Passing this exam will allow students to become certified legal assistants (CLA).

Overall, obtaining a Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate can be beneficial for those looking to enter into the legal field as it provides them with an understanding of basic legal concepts and procedures as well as providing them with a competitive edge when applying for jobs.

10. American Bar Association Approved Paralegal Certificate

The American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Paralegal Certificate is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have met the ABA's standards for paralegal education and training. The ABA sets the standards for paralegals, which include completing an approved program of study, passing the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal Exam, and having a minimum of two years of legal experience.

The length of time it takes to get an ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate varies depending on the individual's prior education and experience. Generally, it can take anywhere from one to four years to complete the requirements for certification. Those with prior college coursework may be able to complete their studies in less time than those without any prior education.

In order to receive an ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate, individuals must first complete an approved paralegal program at an accredited college or university. These programs typically consist of courses in legal research and writing, civil litigation, business law, criminal law, ethics, and other related topics. After completing the program, students must pass the NFPA Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal Exam in order to become certified.

The cost of obtaining an ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate will vary depending on the institution offering the program and whether or not financial aid is available. In addition to tuition costs, students should also plan for expenses such as books and materials as well as fees associated with taking the NFPA exam.

Do You Really Need a Law Office Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals and the job market. If you are looking for a position in a law office where you will be primarily responsible for administrative tasks, then having a Law Office Assistant Certificate could be beneficial. It is possible that some employers may prefer to hire someone with such a certificate, as it demonstrates the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the role.

However, if you are seeking a more specialized role within a law office, such as paralegal or legal secretary, then having a Law Office Assistant Certificate may not be essential. For these types of positions, employers may look for applicants who possess specialized knowledge and experience in the specific area of law they practice. In this case, having an educational background or relevant work experience may be more important than having a certificate.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to pursue a Law Office Assistant Certificate should depend on your individual career goals and what type of job you are applying for. It is also important to research the job market in your area and determine if having such certification would give you an edge over other applicants.

Related: Law Office Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Law Office Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Law Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Law Office Assistant Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide administrative support for legal professionals, such as attorneys and paralegals.

2. How do I obtain a Law Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: To be eligible for certification, you must complete an approved training program, pass an exam, and meet any other requirements set by the certifying organization.

3. What types of jobs can I get with a Law Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: With a Law Office Assistant Certification, you may be able to find employment in law firms, government agencies, corporate legal departments, or other businesses that require legal support services.

4. How much does it cost to get certified?

Answer: The cost of certification will vary depending on the certifying organization you choose and any additional materials or services required for completion of the program.

5. Is there ongoing continuing education required for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require ongoing continuing education credits in order to maintain your certification status.