Top 10 Litigation Secretary Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a litigation secretary's job market because they demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field. They can provide potential employers with assurance that the candidate has the necessary skills and qualifications to handle the tasks associated with the position. Certifications also help to differentiate candidates from other applicants, making it easier for employers to identify qualified individuals for their open positions. Additionally, certifications can often lead to higher salaries and increased job opportunities as employers recognize them as a sign of competency and professionalism.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Litigation Secretarys and explain how they can help advance a litigation secretary's career.

What are Litigation Secretary Certifications?

Litigation secretary certification is a professional designation offered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in a variety of areas related to legal document preparation, court filing procedures, and other aspects of litigation support. Achieving this certification indicates that an individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide efficient and accurate legal services.

Having litigation secretary certification can help individuals stand out in the competitive job market as well as give them an advantage in their current position. It also provides employers with assurance that they are hiring someone with the necessary qualifications for successful legal document management and litigation support. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement within a law firm or other organization, as employers often prefer those with specialized training and certifications. Finally, having this certification can increase one’s confidence when dealing with clients and colleagues because they know they possess the expertise required to handle any task related to legal document management or litigation support.

Pro Tip: Before signing up for a litigation secretary certification program, make sure to research the program thoroughly. You should be aware of the curriculum, the duration of the course, the cost, and any prerequisites that may be required in order to enroll. Additionally, it is important to check with your state licensing board to ensure that the certification you are considering is recognized and accepted in your jurisdiction.

Related: What does a Litigation Secretary do?

Top 10 Litigation Secretary Certifications

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

1. Certified Litigation Secretary (CLS)

A Certified Litigation Secretary (CLS) is a professional designation that recognizes the specialized knowledge and skills of an experienced litigation secretary. The CLS credential is awarded by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) and requires applicants to demonstrate their proficiency in areas such as legal terminology, document preparation, court filing procedures, trial preparation, and client relations.

In order to become certified as a CLS, applicants must have at least five years of experience working as a litigation secretary or paralegal. They must also pass an exam administered by NALS that tests their knowledge in the areas mentioned above.

The cost for the CLS certification exam varies depending on whether you are a member of NALS or not. For non-members, the cost is $175; for members, it is $125. It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

2. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The CLS designation is designed to recognize legal secretaries who have achieved a high level of proficiency in their field.

To obtain the CLS designation, an individual must pass an exam administered by NALS. The exam covers topics such as legal terminology, filing procedures, legal research and writing, ethics, and other areas related to the practice of law. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can take up to three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CLS exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience working as a legal secretary or paralegal. Applicants must also submit proof of their education and work experience in order to qualify for the exam.

The cost of taking the CLS exam varies depending on whether you are a member of NALS or not. For non-members, the fee is $195; for members, it is $145. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining study materials or enrolling in preparatory classes.

3. Certified Paralegal (CP)

A Certified Paralegal (CP) is a professional designation that is earned by paralegals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the field. The certification is awarded by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), which is a professional organization for paralegals. To become certified, paralegals must complete an extensive application process and pass a rigorous exam.

The application process typically takes several weeks to complete and involves submitting proof of education and work experience, as well as passing an ethics examination. The CP exam consists of three parts: a multiple-choice test, an essay portion, and a practical portion. All three sections must be completed within a specified amount of time in order to receive certification.

The cost for becoming certified varies depending on the type of certification sought. A basic CP certification costs around $400, while more advanced certifications can cost up to $1,000 or more. In addition to the application fee, there may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam or attending training courses.

Once all requirements are met and the exam has been passed, paralegals will receive their official CP certificate from NALA. This certificate will serve as proof that they have achieved a high level of expertise in their field and are eligible for higher salaries and promotions within their profession.

4. 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) and provides recognition of an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of office administration.

The CPS certification requires passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as business communication, technology, customer service, project management and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. Candidates must also have at least two years of relevant work experience in order to qualify for the exam.

In order to get certified, candidates must register with IAAP and pay the required fee. The cost varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of IAAP; members pay $195 while non-members pay $295. After registering and paying the fee, candidates will receive their exam voucher which they can use to schedule their exam date at any Prometric testing center across the US or Canada.

Once you have passed your exam, you will receive your official CPS certificate from IAAP within four weeks after completion of your test. You will also be listed on IAAP’s online directory as a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS).

5. Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)

A Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) is a designation given to individuals who have successfully completed an accredited program in paralegal studies and passed the CLA exam. The CLA designation signifies that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in legal knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The CLA exam is administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). It consists of two parts: a written examination and a practical skills assessment. The written examination tests knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and principles. The practical skills assessment evaluates the applicant's ability to apply this knowledge in real-world situations.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete all requirements for the CLA certification. This includes completing an accredited paralegal program or obtaining equivalent experience, passing the NALA CLA exam, and completing continuing education credits every two years.

To get certified as a CLA, you must first complete an accredited paralegal program or obtain equivalent experience such as working as a paralegal for at least five years. Once you have completed your program or obtained your experience, you can register for the NALA CLA exam online or by mail. After registering for the exam, you will receive study materials from NALA which will help you prepare for the test.

The cost of becoming certified as a CLA varies depending on whether you are taking the exam online or by mail. The cost of taking the online version of the test is $225 while taking it by mail costs $325 plus shipping fees. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with enrolling in an accredited paralegal program if applicable.

6. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CAP credential is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals working in a wide variety of industries.

The CAP certification program consists of four components: an exam, experience, education, and ethics. To receive the CAP credential, applicants must demonstrate mastery of core competencies related to their role as an administrative professional. These competencies include communication, problem-solving, technology, project management, customer service, and leadership.

It typically takes about two years for an applicant to complete all four components of the CAP certification program. The cost for the entire program varies depending on how many components are completed at once; however, it generally costs between $1,000-$2,000 USD.

To get started with the CAP certification process, applicants must first register with IAAP and pay the registration fee. After registering with IAAP, applicants can begin studying for the exam component by accessing online study materials or attending workshops or classes offered through IAAP. Once they have passed the exam component and met all other requirements (experience/education/ethics), applicants can submit their application to become certified as a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP).

7. National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) Certification

The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) is a professional organization dedicated to providing legal secretaries with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to excel in their profession. The NALS Certification Program provides legal secretaries with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field. The program consists of two levels: Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) and Professional Legal Secretary (PLS).

To become a CLS, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience as a legal secretary or paralegal. They must also pass an exam that covers topics such as legal terminology, court procedures, office management, and computer applications. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes about three hours to complete. Once certified, CLSs are expected to maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements every two years.

To become a PLS, applicants must have at least five years of full-time experience as a legal secretary or paralegal. They must also pass an exam that covers more advanced topics such as ethics, contract law, litigation support services, and financial management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes about four hours to complete. Once certified, PLSs are expected to maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements every two years.

The cost for both exams varies depending on whether you’re taking them online or in person. Online exams cost $150 for CLSs and $200 for PLSs while in-person exams cost $200 for CLSs and $250 for PLSs. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $50 for both certifications that covers membership dues and access to exclusive resources such as webinars and discounts on educational materials.

Overall, becoming certified through NALS is an excellent way for legal secretaries to demonstrate their expertise in the field while gaining access to valuable resources that can help them advance their careers.

8. American Institute of Paralegals (AIP) Certification

The American Institute of Paralegals (AIP) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest quality standards for professional paralegal certification. AIP Certification is a voluntary process that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of paralegal studies. The AIP Certification program requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in legal research, writing, and analysis.

It typically takes between 6 to 12 months to complete the AIP Certification process. The first step is to register with the AIP and pay the applicable fees. After registration, applicants must pass an online exam covering topics such as legal research, writing, and analysis. Once the exam has been passed, applicants must submit a portfolio of work samples demonstrating their skills in these areas. Finally, applicants must complete an oral interview with members of the AIP Board of Directors before being awarded certification.

The cost of obtaining AIP Certification varies depending on factors such as exam fees and membership dues. However, most applicants can expect to pay around $500 for all associated costs.

9. American Bar Association Approved Paralegal Certification

The American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Paralegal Certification is a voluntary certification program that recognizes paralegals who have met certain standards of education, training and experience. It is designed to increase the professionalism and competency of paralegals in the legal field.

To become ABA-approved, paralegals must complete an ABA-approved program or course of study, which typically takes two years or more to complete. This includes completing courses in legal research, legal writing, ethics and other related topics. In addition, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam administered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

The cost of becoming ABA-approved varies depending on the type of program or course chosen. Generally speaking, most programs cost between $2,000 and $3,000 for tuition alone. Additional costs may include books and other materials needed for the coursework as well as application fees associated with taking the NFPA exam.

Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their ABA-approved certification from the NFPA. The certification is valid for five years after which time it must be renewed by taking additional courses or passing an updated version of the NFPA exam.

10. National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Certification

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Certification is a voluntary professional certification program designed to recognize paralegals who have achieved the highest level of competence and professionalism in their field. The NFPA Certification Program is the only national certification program for paralegals that is recognized by the American Bar Association.

It typically takes at least three months to complete the process of obtaining NFPA Certification. The first step is to review the eligibility requirements and submit an application with all required documentation. Once your application has been approved, you will be required to take and pass a comprehensive examination administered by NFPA. After passing the exam, you will need to submit proof of continuing legal education credits and pay any applicable fees before receiving your official certificate from NFPA.

The cost of obtaining NFPA Certification depends on several factors, including whether or not you are a member of NFPA, if you are taking the exam for the first time or retaking it, and if you are taking advantage of any special discounts or promotions offered by NFPA. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $200-$400 USD to obtain NFPA Certification.

In order to maintain your certification status, you must earn continuing legal education credits every two years and pay an annual renewal fee. Additionally, certified paralegals must adhere to a strict code of ethics established by NFPA in order to remain certified.

Do You Really Need a Litigation Secretary Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For some, a litigation secretary certificate may be necessary for them to reach their desired position or level of expertise. In other cases, it may not be required at all.

For those who want to work in a legal setting as a litigation secretary, having a certificate can demonstrate that they have mastered the skills needed in such a role. It also shows that they have taken the initiative to go beyond what is generally expected of them and that they are committed to creating a successful career in the field.

For those who already have experience in an administrative role in a legal office, having a litigation secretary certificate can help set them apart from other applicants when applying for jobs. The certification can also provide additional credibility and demonstrate that the applicant is knowledgeable about the specific duties associated with being a litigation secretary.

In short, whether or not someone needs to obtain a litigation secretary certificate depends on their individual situation and career goals. However, for those looking to pursue this type of job, having the certification could potentially give them an edge over their competition and make them more attractive candidates for employers.

Related: Litigation Secretary Resume Examples

FAQs About Litigation Secretary Certifications

1. What is a Litigation Secretary Certification?

Answer: A Litigation Secretary Certification is a credential that demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to support attorneys in a litigation setting. The certification is typically awarded after successful completion of an exam, which covers topics such as legal terminology, document management, and court filing procedures.

2. How do I become certified as a Litigation Secretary?

Answer: To become certified as a Litigation Secretary, you must first complete an approved program of study or pass an exam that covers legal terminology, document management, and court filing procedures. Once you have passed the exam, you will be issued a certificate of completion or certification.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Litigation Secretary?

Answer: Becoming a Certified Litigation Secretary can provide many benefits, including increased job opportunities and higher wages in the legal field. Additionally, having this certification can provide employers with confidence that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills to support attorneys in litigation settings.

4. What type of jobs can I apply for with a Litigation Secretary Certification?

Answer: With your Litigation Secretary Certification, you may be able to apply for positions such as Legal Assistant/Secretary, Court Clerk/Reporter, or Paralegal/Legal Assistant. Depending on your experience level and qualifications, you may also be eligible for more specialized roles such as Document Reviewer or Case Manager/Coordinator.

5. How long does it take to earn my Litigation Secretary Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to earn your certification will depend on the program or exam you choose to pursue and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying each day. Generally speaking, most programs take between 6-12 months to complete while exams can usually be completed within 1-2 weeks depending on how well prepared you are for the test material.