Top 10 Legal Secretary Certifications

Certifications for legal secretaries are important in the job market because they are a measure of knowledge and expertise. They demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of proficiency in the area of law, which is often necessary for many roles within the legal profession. Certifications also signal to potential employers that an individual is committed to their profession and willing to put in the effort to stay up-to-date with the latest developments. In addition, having certifications can give an individual an edge over other applicants who may not have them, as it shows they have taken initiative to gain additional skills and knowledge.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Legal Secretarys and explain how they can benefit a legal secretary's career.

What are Legal Secretary Certifications?

Legal secretary certification is a professional credential awarded to individuals who have achieved the necessary level of knowledge and experience in legal office administration. This certification demonstrates that a person has the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a legal secretary effectively. It can also be used as an indication of dedication to the profession.

A certification in legal secretary work can help individuals advance their career by providing them with a recognized qualification that employers look for when hiring. Certification holders are typically more attractive candidates for positions than those without such qualifications, which can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries. Additionally, obtaining certifications provides evidence that an individual is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, which gives employers confidence in their ability to handle complex tasks. Finally, having this credential can open up new doors for career advancement and networking opportunities within the legal profession.

Pro Tip: When researching legal secretary certification programs, make sure to pay close attention to the program's accreditation status. This is important because having a certification from an accredited institution will ensure that your credentials are recognized and accepted by employers.

Related: What does a Legal Secretary do?

Top 10 Legal Secretary Certifications

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

1. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a certification program designed to recognize the professional achievements of legal secretaries. The CLS certification is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), and it is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the legal industry.

The CLS certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience as a legal secretary, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must also pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as legal terminology, court procedures, ethics and office management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To apply for the CLS certification, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of their professional experience and/or education. The application fee is $125, but there may be additional fees for late applications or rescheduling exams.

Once an applicant has successfully completed the exam, they will receive their official CLS certificate from IAAP. The certificate is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years in order to maintain the credential.

2. Professional Legal Secretary (PLS)

Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) is a professional designation for legal secretaries who have completed an advanced program of study and training in the field of law. The PLS designation is awarded by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), and it is recognized by employers as a mark of excellence in the legal profession.

To become a PLS, one must complete the NALS Professional Legal Secretary Certification Program. This program consists of five courses that cover topics such as legal terminology, document preparation, court procedures, ethics, and other relevant topics. The courses are offered online or through NALS-approved educational institutions. To be eligible to take the program, applicants must have at least two years of experience working as a legal secretary or paralegal.

The cost to enroll in the PLS certification program varies depending on which course option you choose. Online courses typically range from $250 to $500 per course; classroom-based courses may cost more. Additionally, there is an exam fee associated with taking the final exam for each course ($100).

Once all five courses are successfully completed, applicants must take and pass a comprehensive final examination administered by NALS in order to receive their PLS designation. It usually takes four to six months to complete all five courses and obtain certification.

3. Certified Paralegal (CP)

A Certified Paralegal (CP) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s expertise and commitment to the legal profession. A CP is someone who has met specific educational, experience, and ethical requirements established by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

In order to become a Certified Paralegal, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having a minimum of two years of work experience as a paralegal or legal assistant, graduating from an approved paralegal program or completing at least 60 semester hours of college-level courses in law-related topics, and passing the NALA’s certification exam.

The NALA certification exam consists of two parts: the Core Exam and the Specialty Exam. The Core Exam tests general knowledge of paralegal skills and abilities while the Specialty Exam tests knowledge in one or more areas of specialty such as corporate law, litigation, family law, bankruptcy, real estate law, etc.

It typically takes a few months to complete the application process for the NALA certification exam. Once you have submitted your application and it has been approved, you will be able to register for the exam. The cost for taking the exam is $295 plus any applicable taxes. If you are not successful on your first attempt at taking the exam, there is an additional fee for retaking it.

Once you have passed both parts of the exam with a score of at least 70%, you will receive your CP designation from NALA and can use this designation on your resume or business cards. This certification will demonstrate to potential employers that you possess specialized knowledge and skills that make you an ideal candidate for certain positions within their organization.

4. National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) Certification

The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) Certification is a professional certification program that provides legal secretaries with the knowledge and skills to perform their job duties more effectively. This certification is designed to recognize the expertise of legal secretaries in areas such as legal terminology, court procedures, document preparation, and office management.

To become certified by NALS, you must pass an examination that covers topics such as civil litigation, criminal law, contracts, real estate law, family law and bankruptcy. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the NALS certification exam, you must have at least two years of full-time experience as a legal secretary or paralegal within the past five years. You will also need to submit proof of your education and work experience when registering for the exam.

The cost of taking the NALS certification exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $250-$400. After passing the exam, you will receive a certificate indicating that you are now certified by NALS. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or passing another exam.

5. American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) Certification

The American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) is a professional organization that provides certification for paralegals. The AIPS certification is designed to provide recognition of the knowledge and skills of experienced paralegals, and it is considered a mark of distinction in the field.

The AIPS certification process involves passing an exam that covers topics such as legal principles, research methods, legal writing, and ethics. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The exam fee is $295.

In order to be eligible for the AIPS certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience as a paralegal or completion of an approved paralegal education program with at least 60 semester credit hours. Applicants must also submit proof of their work experience or educational program completion.

Once applicants have passed the exam and met all eligibility requirements, they will receive their AIPS certification within 6 to 8 weeks. The AIPS certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be renewed by submitting proof of continuing education credits or re-taking the exam.

6. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) 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. The CPS certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a standard level of competency in the field of administrative support.

To become certified as a CPS, individuals must pass an exam administered by IAAP. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as office management, business communication, technology and software applications, customer service, and human resources. Individuals must also have at least two years of full-time experience in an administrative role or equivalent part-time experience in order to be eligible for the certification.

The cost for the CPS exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States, it costs $229 USD to take the exam. This fee includes access to study materials and practice tests.

The time it takes to get certified as a CPS depends on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to prepare for and pass the exam.

7. 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 and skills of administrative professionals. The CAP certification is highly sought after by employers, as it demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of office administration.

The CAP certification requires passing an exam that covers five core competency areas: Office Administration, Technology, Business Writing, Project Management, and Information Management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CAP certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative role or related field. They must also submit proof of their educational background and/or training in office administration or related topics.

The cost for taking the CAP exam varies depending on your IAAP membership status and geographic location. For non-members, the cost ranges from $300-$400 USD; for members, it ranges from $200-$300 USD. Additional fees may apply if you need to reschedule your exam or retake it due to failure.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Expert

Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Expert is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in using Microsoft Word. It is a globally recognized credential that validates the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use Microsoft Word for creating, editing, formatting, and printing documents.

The certification exam consists of one or more performance-based tasks that require the candidate to demonstrate their ability to create, format, edit and print documents using Microsoft Word. The exam typically takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete.

In order to become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Expert, you must pass the associated exam. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online at certiport.com. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $90-$150 USD.

9. International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP): Certified Administrative Professional

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program that recognizes and validates the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. It is designed to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the field of administrative work.

The CAP certification requires a combination of educational achievement, experience, knowledge, and skills. To qualify for the CAP certification, applicants must have at least five years of full-time administrative work experience or its equivalent in part-time work within the last ten years; have completed at least one year of postsecondary education or its equivalent in business-related courses; and have passed an examination that covers topics related to office management and technology.

It typically takes between four to six months to prepare for the CAP exam. During this time, applicants should review course materials and practice exams provided by IAAP as well as other resources available online. Additionally, applicants may choose to attend review classes offered by local chapters or take advantage of self-study programs offered through IAAP’s website.

The cost of obtaining the CAP certification depends on several factors including whether you are an IAAP member or not. The exam fee for members is $225 USD while non-members pay $300 USD. In addition to the exam fee, there are also fees associated with purchasing study materials such as textbooks and practice exams which can range from $50-$100 USD depending on what you purchase.

10. National Federation of Paralegal Associations: Registered Paralegal

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Registered Paralegal is a voluntary certification program that recognizes experienced paralegals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the legal field. The NFPA Registered Paralegal program is designed to promote professionalism, competency, and ethical standards among paralegals.

To become an NFPA Registered Paralegal, applicants must meet certain educational and work experience requirements. Applicants must have either a bachelor's degree with at least 15 semester hours of paralegal courses or an associate's degree with at least 30 semester hours of paralegal courses. They must also have at least two years of full-time work experience as a paralegal or four years of part-time work experience as a paralegal.

Once the applicant has met the educational and work experience requirements, they can apply for the NFPA Registered Paralegal program by submitting an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts, references, and proof of work experience. The application fee is $150 for members of the NFPA and $200 for non-members.

Once their application has been approved, applicants will be required to take the NFPA Registered Paralegal Exam which consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering topics such as ethics, legal research, legal writing, litigation support services, and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $125 for members of the NFPA and $175 for non-members.

After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official NFPA Registered Paralegal certificate within four weeks. This certificate is valid for five years before renewal is required. Renewal requires completion of continuing education credits in order to maintain certification status.

Do You Really Need a Legal Secretary Certificate?

When considering whether or not to obtain a legal secretary certificate, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of having such a credential. On one hand, a legal secretary certificate can provide proof that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a legal office setting. This type of certification can also open up job opportunities for those who are looking to advance their career in the legal field. On the other hand, obtaining a legal secretary certificate requires time and money. Depending on the program chosen, individuals may need to complete coursework, attend seminars, and pass exams in order to receive their certification.

Ultimately, whether or not an individual needs a legal secretary certificate depends on their current situation and future goals. For those who are already employed in a legal office setting, having such a credential may not be necessary if they already possess the skills required for their position. However, for those looking to break into the field or move up in their current position, obtaining a legal secretary certificate could be beneficial. It is important to weigh all of these factors before making any decisions regarding whether or not to pursue this type of certification.

Related: Legal Secretary Resume Examples

FAQs About Legal Secretary Certifications

1. What is a Legal Secretary Certification?

Answer: A Legal Secretary Certification is a credential that demonstrates mastery of the skills and knowledge required to work as a legal secretary. The certification typically requires passing an exam that tests your understanding of legal terminology, procedures, and processes.

2. How Do I Become Certified as a Legal Secretary?

Answer: Becoming certified as a legal secretary typically involves completing an accredited program or course in legal secretarial studies and passing an examination administered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS).

3. What Are the Benefits of Having a Legal Secretary Certification?

Answer: A legal secretary certification can help you advance your career by demonstrating your expertise and commitment to the profession. It also provides employers with assurance that you possess the necessary skills for the job. Additionally, earning a certification can provide you with access to professional development opportunities like continuing education courses and networking events.

4. How Long Does it Take to Earn a Legal Secretary Certification?

Answer: The length of time needed to complete the requirements for certification varies depending on the type of program or course taken, but generally takes between six months and one year to complete all necessary steps for certification.

5. Is There an Age Requirement for Earning a Legal Secretary Certification?

Answer: No, there is no age requirement for becoming certified as a legal secretary; however, individuals must be at least 18 years old in order to take the NALS exam required for certification.