Top 11 Legal Administrator Certifications

Certifications for legal administrators are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that can set job seekers apart from their competition. Certifications help to show potential employers the level of commitment and dedication that an individual has to their chosen field. They also help to demonstrate a mastery of certain skills and knowledge related to the legal field, which can be especially valuable in competitive job markets. Additionally, certifications may open up opportunities for further career advancement or specialization within the legal industry.

The article reviews some of the top certifications available to legal administrators and explains how they can enhance a legal administrator's career.

What are Legal Administrator Certifications?

Legal Administrator Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities of legal administrators in the legal field. It is offered by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), a non-profit organization that provides education and resources for legal professionals. The certification requires successful completion of an extensive exam covering topics such as business management, finance, human resources, technology, and law practice management.

By obtaining this certification, legal administrators can demonstrate their expertise in all aspects of law firm operations. This can help them become more competitive in the job market and increase their credibility among colleagues and clients. It also provides recognition for their hard work and dedication to the profession. Additionally, it can open up new career opportunities within the legal industry or beyond, such as consulting or teaching roles. With this certification, legal administrators can demonstrate that they are well-versed in all aspects of law firm management and possess the necessary skills to be successful leaders in their field.

Pro Tip: When considering legal administrator certification, make sure to research the requirements and fees associated with each program. This will ensure that you are making an informed decision about which program is best for your situation. Additionally, look into any potential professional benefits that may come from completing a legal administrator certification program, such as increased job security or higher pay.

Related: What does a Legal Administrator do?

Top 11 Legal Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Legal Administrators today.

1. Certified Legal Administrator (CLA)

Certified Legal Administrator (CLA) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved the highest level of excellence in legal administration. The CLA designation is the only one of its kind and is awarded by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).

The CLA program requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities through an extensive written examination. The exam covers topics such as management, finance, technology, human resources, marketing, and other areas related to legal administration. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their experience in legal administration.

The process typically takes several months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application with supporting documentation and pay a fee. Once approved, they will be scheduled for the written examination which typically takes place over two days at a testing center. After passing the exam, applicants must then submit their portfolio for review by ALA's Board of Certification before receiving their CLA designation.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the applicant's membership status with ALA. For non-members, it costs $1,295 for the application fee plus $395 for each exam section taken ($795 total). For members of ALA, it costs $995 for the application fee plus $295 for each exam section taken ($595 total).

2. Certified Paralegal (CP)

Certified Paralegal (CP) is a professional certification offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in the field of paralegal studies. The CP designation indicates that an individual has completed an approved paralegal program and passed a comprehensive examination.

In order to become certified, an individual must first complete a post-secondary paralegal program or obtain a bachelor's degree with a major in paralegal studies from an accredited institution. After completing the educational requirements, applicants must then pass the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam. This exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as legal research, legal writing, ethics, civil litigation, contracts, real estate law, family law, criminal law, torts and more.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether you are a member of NALA or not. For members, the cost is $225; for non-members it is $325. The exam can be taken at any Prometric testing center across the United States and Canada. Once you have successfully passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will receive your official CP certificate from NALA.

The process of becoming certified can take anywhere from six months to one year depending on how quickly you complete your educational requirements and pass the exam.

3. Certified Legal Manager (CLM)

Certified Legal Manager (CLM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of legal managers in the legal industry. It is offered by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).

The CLM program consists of three core courses: Legal Management, Law Practice Management, and Financial Management. Each course is designed to provide legal administrators with an understanding of the fundamentals of legal management and law practice management, as well as financial management. The courses are offered online or in-person at an ALA-approved training center.

It typically takes about six months to complete all three courses and earn the CLM designation. To get started, you must first become a member of ALA and then register for the CLM program. Once registered, you will be able to access course materials and take exams online or at an approved training center.

The cost for the CLM program varies depending on your membership status with ALA. For non-members, it costs $1,200 for all three courses and exams; for members, it costs $950; and for student members, it costs $750.

4. Certified Professional Legal Secretary (CPLS)

Certified Professional Legal Secretary (CPLS) is a professional certification offered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The CPLS certification is designed to recognize legal secretaries who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and proficiency in the legal field.

The CPLS program requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that tests their knowledge of legal terminology, court rules, document production, office procedures, and other related topics. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CPLS certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience as a legal secretary or paralegal. They must also submit an application form and pay an examination fee of $150.

Once applicants have successfully completed the exam, they will receive their CPLS certificate from NALS. The certificate is valid for three years, after which time recertification is required.

5. Certified Legal Document Assistant (CLDA)

A Certified Legal Document Assistant (CLDA) is a professional who provides legal document preparation services to the public. CLDAs are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, but they can help individuals prepare legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and other court forms.

It typically takes about two weeks to become a Certified Legal Document Assistant (CLDA). To get certified, you must complete an approved course in legal document preparation or take a written exam that covers topics such as California law, ethics, and filing procedures. You must also pass a criminal background check.

The cost of becoming a CLDA varies depending on the provider offering the certification course or exam. Generally speaking, it costs between $150 to $400 for the training materials and exam fee.

Once certified, CLDAs must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education courses and paying an annual renewal fee of around $50.

6. Certified Court Administrator (CCA)

Certified Court Administrator (CCA) is a professional certification program offered by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in court administration.

The CCA program requires applicants to meet certain educational and experience requirements, as well as pass an exam. The exam covers topics such as court management, case flow management, court technology, financial management, human resources management, and other related topics. To be eligible for the CCA program, applicants must have at least five years of experience in court administration or a related field.

The process of obtaining the CCA certification typically takes about six months from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete an application form, submit their transcripts and other required documents to NCSC for review, take the CCA exam if approved by NCSC, and receive their official certification from NCSC once all requirements are met.

The cost of obtaining the CCA certification varies depending on the applicant’s circumstances. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1,000 USD for all associated fees including application processing fees and exam fees.

7. Certified Law Office Manager (CLOM)

Certified Law Office Manager (CLOM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of excellence in the management of law offices. The CLOM certification is awarded by the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP).

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having at least two years of experience as a law office manager or administrator. They must also pass an exam that covers topics such as legal ethics, technology, financial management, client relations, and human resources.

The CLOM exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether you are a member of NALP or not. For members, the cost is $275; for non-members, it is $350.

Once you have passed the exam and met all eligibility requirements, you will receive your CLOM certification from NALP. This certification will demonstrate your commitment to excellence in law office management and help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions.

8. Certified Contract Administrator (CCA)

Certified Contract Administrator (CCA) is a professional certification program that provides recognition of an individual’s expertise in contract management. It is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of contract administrators, procurement officers, and other professionals involved in contract management.

The CCA certification process involves taking a comprehensive exam that tests the candidate’s knowledge of the principles, processes, and techniques used in contract management. The exam covers topics such as project management, legal aspects of contracts, negotiation strategies, risk management, and dispute resolution. Candidates must also demonstrate their ability to apply these concepts to real-world situations.

The CCA certification process typically takes between three and six months to complete depending on the amount of study time required by the candidate. To become certified, candidates must pass the CCA exam with a score of at least 70%. In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also have at least two years of experience in contract administration or related fields.

The cost for taking the CCA exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $500 USD.

9. Certified Compliance Officer (CCO)

A Certified Compliance Officer (CCO) is a professional who has achieved a level of expertise in the field of compliance management. The CCO is responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. They are also responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining effective compliance programs and processes.

To become a CCO, one must first have at least five years of experience in the field of compliance management. This can include roles such as risk management, internal audit, legal counsel, or regulatory affairs. After meeting the experience requirement, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as corporate governance, risk assessment and management, legal compliance requirements, ethics and integrity programs, and more.

The cost to become a CCO varies depending on the accrediting organization chosen. For example, SCCE charges $495 for their exam fee plus additional fees for study materials and other services. Additionally, there may be travel costs associated with taking the exam if it is not offered in your area.

The amount of time it takes to become a CCO depends on how much time you have available to prepare for the exam. Generally speaking it can take anywhere from six months to two years to prepare depending on your experience level and other commitments you may have.

10. Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)

Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the legal field. ALP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers areas such as legal research, writing, ethics, and professional responsibility. To become certified, candidates must also have at least two years of experience in the legal field.

The ALP exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$250.

In order to maintain their certification, ALPs must complete continuing education courses every two years. These courses are available through NALP or other approved providers and typically cost between $50-$100 per course.

Overall, becoming an Accredited Legal Professional can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the legal field. It can also help you stand out among other job applicants or clients looking for legal services.

11. Professional Legal Administrator Certification Program (PLACP).

The Professional Legal Administrator Certification Program (PLACP) is a comprehensive certification program designed to recognize the professional excellence of those working in the legal field. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal profession, its operations and management, and legal technology. It also provides an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field.

The PLACP program consists of four courses: Introduction to Law Practice Management; Law Office Technology; Legal Research & Writing; and Business Law. Each course is offered online and consists of lectures, readings, and assignments. Upon successful completion of all four courses, participants will receive a certificate from the American Bar Association (ABA).

The PLACP program typically takes between six months and one year to complete. To get started, applicants must first apply online via the ABA website. Once accepted into the program, students will be required to pay a registration fee which varies depending on the state in which they reside.

Once enrolled, students can access course materials online or through their local library. They will also be assigned an instructor who will provide guidance throughout the duration of their studies.

At the end of each course, students must pass a final exam in order to receive their certificate from the ABA. The cost for this certification program varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD per course or $2000-$4000 USD total for all four courses combined.

Do You Really Need a Legal Administrator Certificate?

Whether or not you need a legal administrator certificate depends on the type of job you are pursuing. If you are interested in becoming a legal administrator, then having a certificate can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Having a certificate may also help to open up more job opportunities and salary potential.

However, if you already have experience in the legal field, such as an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in law or paralegal studies, then getting a certificate may not be necessary. For those who don’t have any formal education in the legal field, earning a certificate can give them an edge over other applicants. It will show employers that they have knowledge and experience in the field that can be applied to their new position.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a legal administrator certificate depends on your career goals and aspirations. If you feel like it will benefit your career trajectory, then it is certainly worth obtaining one. However, if you already have enough qualifications to start working as a legal administrator without one, then it may not be necessary.

Related: Legal Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Legal Administrator Certifications

1. What is a Legal Administrator Certification?

Answer: A Legal Administrator Certification is an educational credential that demonstrates proficiency in the field of legal administration. It typically requires successful completion of a course or program and may include passing an examination.

2. What are the benefits of getting a Legal Administrator Certification?

Answer: Benefits of obtaining a Legal Administrator Certification include recognition by employers, increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and improved job security.

3. How long does it take to get a Legal Administrator Certification?

Answer: The length of time it takes to get a Legal Administrator Certification varies depending on the program you choose and your individual progress. Generally, most programs can be completed within six months to one year.

4. Is there an exam required for Legal Administrator Certifications?

Answer: Yes, many programs require successful completion of an exam in order to receive certification as a legal administrator. The specifics of this exam will vary depending on the program chosen.

5. How much does it cost to obtain a Legal Administrator Certification?

Answer: Costs for obtaining a Legal Administrator Certification will depend on the provider and type of program chosen, but can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars.