Top 10 Personal Injury Paralegal Certifications

Certifications are important for personal injury paralegals in the job market as they demonstrate to potential employers that the paralegal has a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field. Certification confirms that the individual has met specific standards and requirements set by an accrediting body and is knowledgeable about personal injury law. In addition, certifications can give an individual a competitive edge when applying for jobs or promotions. Certifications also provide employers with assurance that their paralegals are up to date on current legal trends, have a better understanding of personal injury law, and are capable of providing quality legal services.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the value of some of the top certifications for Personal Injury Paralegals, and how they can enhance a personal injury paralegal's career.

What are Personal Injury Paralegal Certifications?

Personal injury paralegal certification is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in the area of personal injury law. It is often awarded by professional organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). The certification is designed to show employers and clients that the paralegal has both a thorough understanding of tort law and the experience necessary to handle complex personal injury cases.

Having a personal injury paralegal certification can help individuals secure employment in this field, as well as demonstrate their knowledge and skills to current employers. It also helps distinguish them from other legal professionals who may lack specialized training in personal injury law. When selecting an attorney or paralegal, many clients seek out those who have a personal injury paralegal certification because they know that these professionals are well-versed in this type of law and have the experience needed to effectively handle their case. Furthermore, having this certification may give paralegals access to continuing education opportunities or even additional job opportunities within their organization or with another firm. Ultimately, having a personal injury paralegal certification can help individuals stand out from other legal professionals and demonstrate their proficiency in this area of law.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a personal injury paralegal certification program, research the credentials of the school or organization offering it. Look for accreditation from a recognized national or regional accrediting body, and inquire about the faculty's experience and qualifications. Also, ask if the program includes an internship or externship opportunity to gain real-world experience.

Related: What does a Personal Injury Paralegal do?

Top 10 Personal Injury Paralegal Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Personal Injury Paralegals today.

1. Certified Paralegal in Personal Injury Law (CPPIL)

Certified Paralegal in Personal Injury Law (CPPIL) is a certification program offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). It is designed to recognize paralegals who have achieved a high level of competency in the area of personal injury law. The CPPIL certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent legal services in the field of personal injury law.

The CPPIL certification requires successful completion of a comprehensive exam, which covers topics such as torts, negligence, damages, insurance coverage and claims, medical malpractice, trial preparation and procedure, and ethics. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience as a paralegal in personal injury law or a related field.

The exam can be taken at any time throughout the year at one of NFPA's testing centers across the United States. The cost for taking the exam is $250 for members of NFPA and $350 for non-members.

Once an individual passes the exam, they will receive their official CPPIL certificate from NFPA. This certificate must be renewed every two years by completing 12 hours of continuing education credits in personal injury law. The cost to renew is $50 for members and $75 for non-members.

2. Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal (CLA/CP)

A Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal (CLA/CP) is a professional who has been certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) as having met certain standards of education, experience, and ethics. This certification recognizes the CLA/CP as having the knowledge and skills to provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney.

In order to become a CLA/CP, an applicant must meet certain requirements. These include:

• Completion of an accredited paralegal program or its equivalent;
• Submission of a completed application;
• Successful completion of an examination administered by NALA; and
• Agreement to abide by NALA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

The exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice section that tests general knowledge and skills related to legal research, writing, analysis, and problem solving; and a written portion that tests the applicant's ability to apply those skills in real-world situations. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of NALA. For non-members, it costs $225 for both parts of the exam. For members, it costs $175 for both parts. There is also an additional fee for processing your application if you are not already a member.

Once you have successfully completed the exam and your application has been processed, you will receive your certification from NALA within eight weeks.

3. National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of paralegals. It is designed to help employers identify qualified paralegals who have met certain standards of education, experience, and ethics. To become certified, a paralegal must pass an exam administered by NALA.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for the exam. To get started, you must be a member of NALA and submit an application for certification. The application will require you to provide information about your educational background, work experience, and other qualifications. Once your application is approved, you can register for the exam and pay the associated fees. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether or not you are a NALA member; it ranges from $200-$400 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded the NALA Certified Paralegal credential which is valid for five years at which point recertification is required.

4. American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAP) Certified Paralegal

The American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAP) Certified Paralegal is a voluntary certification program for paralegals that demonstrates a high level of professional knowledge and experience in the field. The program requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as legal research and writing, ethics, litigation support and management, among others.

To become AAP Certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and complete an application process. Eligibility requirements include having a minimum of two years’ full-time experience as a paralegal or the equivalent in part-time work; completion of at least 60 semester hours of postsecondary education (or its equivalent); and passing the AAP Certified Paralegal Exam. Applicants must also agree to abide by the AAP Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.

The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that cover all areas of paralegal practice. The exam is offered twice per year in April and October at testing centers throughout the United States. The cost for taking the exam is $225 for members of the American Alliance of Paralegals and $275 for non-members.

Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will receive their AAP Certified Paralegal certificate from the American Alliance of Paralegals. This certificate serves as proof that they have met all requirements to become certified in their profession. In addition to this certification, those who pass may also be eligible for membership in other professional organizations such as NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants).

5. National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Certified Paralegal

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) Certified Paralegal is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have met the highest standards of competence and ethics in the paralegal profession. It is awarded by the NFPA, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the paralegal profession through education, networking, and advocacy.

To become NFPA Certified, applicants must meet certain requirements including:

• A minimum of two years of substantive paralegal experience;
• Completion of an approved paralegal program or equivalent coursework;
• Successful completion of the NFPA Certification Exam; and
• Submission of an application for certification.

The NFPA Certification Exam is administered twice each year at designated testing centers throughout the United States and Canada. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as legal research, legal writing, litigation support services, ethics, technology applications in the law office, and general knowledge about the legal system. The exam fee is $295 for members of NFPA and $395 for non-members.

In order to maintain their certification status, certified paralegals must complete at least 15 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credits every three years. The cost for CLE courses varies depending on the provider.

6. American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Personal Injury Law Specialty Certification

The American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Personal Injury Law Specialty Certification is a program that provides attorneys with an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in the area of personal injury law. The certification is offered through the ABA’s National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC).

To become certified, an attorney must first meet certain eligibility requirements, including having been admitted to practice law for at least five years and having engaged in the practice of personal injury law for at least three years. The attorney must also have handled at least 25 personal injury cases, completed a minimum of 45 hours of continuing legal education in the field, and passed a written examination administered by the NBLSC.

The certification process typically takes six months to complete. During this time, applicants must submit all required documents and take the written exam. After successfully completing all requirements, they will receive their official ABA Approved Personal Injury Law Specialty Certification.

The cost of obtaining certification varies depending on the state in which you are applying. Generally speaking, it can range from $2,000 to $4,000 or more. This cost includes application fees, exam fees, and any other associated costs such as travel expenses or lodging if necessary.

7. National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) Personal Injury Law Certification

The National Board of Legal Specialty Certification (NBLSC) Personal Injury Law Certification is a voluntary certification program for attorneys who specialize in personal injury law. The certification is designed to recognize attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the practice of personal injury law and to provide assurance to the public that certified attorneys have achieved a high level of expertise in this area of law.

In order to become certified, an attorney must meet certain educational and experience requirements, including: completion of an accredited law school degree; at least three years of practice as a lawyer; completion of at least 45 hours of continuing legal education related to personal injury law within the past three years; and successful completion of an NBLSC-administered written examination.

The process typically takes about six months from application submission to final certification. The cost for the certification program is $1,500 and includes the application fee, exam fee, and annual renewal fee.

8. Institute for Paralegal Education and Training’s (IPET) Advanced Personal Injury Law Certificate Program

The Institute for Paralegal Education and Training (IPET) Advanced Personal Injury Law Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide paralegals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the field of personal injury law. The program consists of four courses: Introduction to Personal Injury Law, Negotiation & Settlement Strategies, Litigation Strategies, and Medical Malpractice Law.

The program takes approximately three months to complete. Each course is offered online, allowing students to take classes at their own pace. Students are required to submit assignments and participate in class discussions as part of the course requirements.

To get the certificate, students must successfully complete all four courses within six months of enrollment. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate from IPET that verifies their successful completion of the program.

The cost for the program is $1,295 USD. This fee includes access to all four courses as well as any additional materials needed for each course.

9. The George Washington University’s Advanced Certificate in Personal Injury Litigation

The George Washington University’s Advanced Certificate in Personal Injury Litigation is a specialized program designed to provide attorneys with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively represent clients in personal injury litigation. The program consists of five courses that cover topics such as legal research, trial advocacy, evidence and discovery, insurance law, and settlement negotiations. The program can be completed entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus classes.

The program takes approximately one year to complete if all courses are taken online, or 18 months if some classes are taken on campus. To get the certificate, students must complete all five courses with a passing grade of B- or better. The cost for the certificate depends on whether you choose to take the courses online or on campus; the total cost ranges from $3,000-$5,000 depending on your choice.

10. Kaplan University’s Professional Certificate in Personal Injury Litigation

The Kaplan University Professional Certificate in Personal Injury Litigation is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice personal injury law. The program is offered online and consists of four courses: Introduction to Personal Injury Law, Negotiation and Settlement of Personal Injury Claims, Trial Practice and Procedure in Personal Injury Cases, and Advanced Topics in Personal Injury Litigation. Each course takes approximately six weeks to complete.

To earn the certificate, students must successfully complete all four courses with a grade of C or better. Students can enroll in the program at any time and work at their own pace. The cost for the entire program is $1,299. This includes tuition for all four courses as well as access to Kaplan’s online library of legal resources. Students who complete the program will receive a Professional Certificate in Personal Injury Litigation from Kaplan University that can be used to demonstrate their expertise in this area of law.

Do You Really Need a Personal Injury Paralegal Certificate?

Whether or not you need a personal injury paralegal certificate depends on your individual situation and career aspirations. If you are looking to advance in the field of personal injury law, then having a certificate may be beneficial. It can demonstrate that you have gained specialized knowledge and skills related to this specific area of law. Additionally, if you plan to work as an independent paralegal, a certification can help establish credibility with potential clients.

On the other hand, if you are already employed as a paralegal in a personal injury firm and do not intend to pursue any additional certifications, then it is likely unnecessary to obtain a certificate. Many employers will provide on-the-job training and mentorship which can be just as valuable as formal education when it comes to learning the intricacies of personal injury law.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to pursue a certification should be based on an evaluation of your own goals and needs. If you decide that obtaining a certificate is necessary for achieving your professional objectives, then there are many educational institutions which offer courses and certificates in this area.

Related: Personal Injury Paralegal Resume Examples

FAQs About Personal Injury Paralegal Certifications

1. What are the requirements for obtaining a personal injury paralegal certification?

Answer: To become a certified personal injury paralegal, you must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, complete at least two years of full-time work experience as a personal injury paralegal, and pass the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal Examination.

2. How long does it take to become a certified personal injury paralegal?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become a certified personal injury paralegal depends on your educational background and your level of experience. It typically takes two to four years from start to finish to complete all the necessary requirements.

3. What are some common job duties of a certified personal injury paralegal?

Answer: Common job duties for a certified personal injury paralegals include researching laws and regulations related to cases, preparing legal documents such as briefs and pleadings, interviewing clients, assisting attorneys in trial preparation, attending court hearings and depositions, organizing evidence for trials and mediations, drafting settlement offers and agreements, filing documents with courts and other agencies, researching legal precedents related to cases, summarizing medical records and other pertinent documents related to cases, managing client files, keeping accurate case notes and databases, monitoring deadlines associated with cases, providing support during trials or hearings as needed by attorneys or clients.

4. What type of salary can I expect as a certified personal injury paralegal?

Answer: Salaries for certified personal injury paralegals vary depending on location, experience level, type of employer and other factors; however according to PayScale the average salary for this position is $50k per year.

5. Are there continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes; NALA requires that all Certified Paralegals earn 10 hours of approved continuing legal education (CLE) credits every two years in order to maintain their certification status.